Light deflecting method and apparatus efficiently using a floating mirror

A method of deflecting input light in directions for at least one deflection-axis, comprising the steps of:

• providing a substrate;
• forming a supporting member on a surface of said substrate;
• forming a plurality of electrodes at predetermined positions around said supporting member on said surface of said substrate corresponding to said directions for at least one deflection-axis;
• forming a plate-like-shaped thin film member including light reflecting means disposed on a surface of said plate-like-shaped thin film member for reflecting input light;
• placing said plate-like-shaped thin film member on said supporting member so that another surface of said plate-like-shaped thin film member opposite to said surface having said light reflecting means faces said plurality of electrodes;
• forming a plurality of space regulating members on edges of said surface of said substrate for regulating a space formed above said surface of said substrate in which said plate-like-shaped thin film member placed on said supporting member is freely movable;
• and
• applying predetermined voltages to said plurality of electrodes to change a tilt of the plate-like-shaped thin film member in accordance with said voltages applied so as to deflect the input light in an arbitrary direction out of said directions for at least one deflection-axis.