Method of controlling optical characteristic of optical element and optical device
AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorsJunichi Seki, Takeaki Itsuji
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical element is formed by using a plurality of pillar-shaped members arranged periodically and a pair of support members arranged perpendicularly relative to the direction of arrangement of the pillar-shaped members so as to sandwich the pillar-shaped members. The optical element showing a periodic structure of periodic distribution of refractive index. An optical characteristic of the optical element is modulated by applying force to the optical element in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrangement of the pillar-shaped members and changing the diameter of the pillar-shaped members.
Claims8
An optical device comprising:
- an optical element formed by using a plurality of pillar-shaped members arranged periodically and a pair of support members arranged perpendicularly relative to the direction of arrangement of the pillar-shaped members so as to sandwich the pillar-shaped members, said optical element showing a periodic structure of periodic distribution of refractive index;
- and
- means for applying force to the pillar-shaped members by way of the support members in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrangement of the pillar-shaped members.
A method of modulating an optical characteristic of an optical element formed by using a plurality of pillar-shaped members arranged periodically and a pair of support members arranged perpendicularly relative to the direction of arrangement of the pillar-shaped members so as to sandwich the pillar-shaped members, said optical element showing a periodic structure of periodic distribution of refractive indexes, wherein the optical characteristic is modulated by applying force to the optical element in a direction perpendicular to the direction of arrangement of the pillar-shaped members and changing the diameter of the pillar-shaped members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.