Spatial splitting-based optical mems interferometers

An optical Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) interferometer, comprising:

• a spatial splitter optically coupled to receive an input beam and operable to spatially split the input beam into first and second interferometer beams without propagation of either of the first and second interferometer beams within a medium forming the spatial splitter, the spatial splitter further for directing the first interferometer beam towards a first interferometer arm and the second interferometer beam towards a second interferometer arm;
• a spatial combiner optically coupled to the first interferometer arm to receive the first interferometer beam and the second interferometer arm to receive the second interferometer beam and operable to spatially combine the first and second interferometer beams to produce an output;
• a moveable mirror within the second interferometer arm and optically coupled to receive the second interferometer beam and to reflect the second interferometer beam towards the spatial combiner;
• and
• a MEMS actuator coupled to the moveable mirror to cause a displacement of the moveable mirror thereby producing an optical path difference between the first interferometer beam and the second interferometer beam;
• wherein each of the input beam, the first and second interferometer beams and the output beam propagate within a propagation medium that is different from a spatial splitter medium of the spatial splitter and a spatial combiner medium of the spatial combiner;
• wherein the spatial splitter, the spatial combiner, the moveable mirror and the MEMS actuator are monolithically integrated over a same substrate.