Electrically variable optical filter
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsMark N. Robins, Heather N. Bean, Matthew Flach
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrically variable optical filter includes a first optical element including a first angled face and a second optical element including a second angled face. The second angled face is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first angled face. At least one separation actuator is affixed between the first optical element and the second optical element and is operable to change a separation distance D between the first angled face and the second angled face. Light waves transmitted through the first optical element are selectively transmitted through to or reflected away from the second optical element as a function of wavelength and the separation distance D.
Claims27
An electrically variable optical filter, comprising:
- a first optical element including a first angled face;
- a second optical element including a second angled face, with said second angled face being substantially parallel to and spaced apart from said first angled face;
- and
- at least one separation actuator, said at least one separation actuator being affixed between said first optical element and said second optical element and operable to change a separation distance D between said first angled face and said second angled face, whereby light waves transmitted through said first optical element are selectively transmitted through to or reflected away from said second optical element as a function of wavelength and said separation distance D.
An electrically variable optical filter, comprising:
- a first optical element including a first angled face;
- a second optical element including a second angled face, with said second angled face being substantially parallel to and spaced apart from said first angled face;
- and
- at least one separation means operable to change a separation distance D between said first angled face and said second angled face, whereby light waves transmitted through said first optical element are selectively transmitted through to or reflected away from said second optical element as a function of wavelength and said separation distance D.
A method of forming an electrically variable optical filter, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first optical element including a first angled face;
- providing a second optical element including a second angled face, with said second angled face being substantially parallel to and spaced apart from said first angled face by a separation distance D;
- providing at least one separation actuator that controls said separation distance D to thereby selectively control the wavelength of light passing from said first optical element into said second optical element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.