Spatial light modulator with conformal grating device
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorMarek W. Kowarz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanical grating device for modulating an incident beam of light by diffraction includes an elongated element including a light reflective surface; a pair of end supports for supporting the elongated element at both ends over a substrate; at least one intermediate support between the end supports; and means for applying a force to the elongated element to cause the element to deform between first and second operating states
Claims30
A mechanical conformal grating device for modulating an incident beam of light by diffraction, comprising:
- a) an elongated element including a light reflective surface;
- b) a pair of end supports for supporting the elongated element at both ends over a substrate;
- c) at least one intermediate support between the end supports;
- and
- d) means for applying a force to the elongated element to cause the element to deform between first and second operating states, wherein the elongated element partially conforms mechanically to the intermediate support in the second operating state to form an optical grating with a diffraction grating period determined by placement of the intermediate support.
A mechanical conformal grating device array for spatially modulating an incident beam of light by diffraction, comprising a plurality of mechanical conformal grating devices, each grating device comprising:
- a) an elongated element including a light reflective surface;
- b) a pair of end supports for supporting the elongated element at both ends over a substrate;
- c) at least one intermediate support between the end supports;
- and
- d) means for applying a force to the elongated element to cause the element to deform between first and second operating states, wherein the elongated element partially conforms mechanically to the intermediate support in the second operating state to form an optical grating with a diffraction grating period determined by placement of the intermediate support.
A mechanical conformal grating device for modulating an incident beam of light by diffraction, comprising:
- a) an elongated element including a light reflective surface;
- b) a pair of end supports for supporting the elongated element at both ends over a substrate;
- c) at least one intermediate support between the end supports, wherein the elongated element is secured to the intermediate support and the end supports;
- and
- d) means for applying a force to the elongated element to cause the element to deform between first and second operating states, wherein the elongated element partially conforms mechanically to the intermediate support in the second operating state to form an optical grating with a diffraction grating period determined by placement of the intermediate support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.