US 7,732,751 B2 · Optical systems and methods using microelectromechanical-systems mirrors exceeding thirty microns

Abstract

A detector and aperture determine radiation characteristics, including angular direction throughout a specified range, of external articles. Preferably an afocal aperture element enlarges/reduces the article and volume FOR. Mirror(s) along a path between detector and aperture, rotatable about plural axes, make the detector address varying regions. Preferably each mirror is MEMS, exceeding five to thirty microns. The detector “sees” articles throughout the range, at constant magnification. Other aspects rotate magnetically controlled dual-axis MEMS mirrors, each with electrical coils opposed across an axis, and anther magnet whose field interacts with coil-current fields, generating force components: one includes oppositely directed forces, torquing the mirrors; another thrusts mirrors outward from the array rest plane, causing variable “piston”. Alternatively, other forces pull mirror(s) outward—and the second component attracts them inward. Components are adjusted to steer a beam in a desired direction, and wavefronts from adjacent mirrors are in phase for finer diffraction limit.

Claims60

Dependent claims

An optical system for dynamically determining radiation characteristics, including associated angular direction throughout a specified range of angular directions, of an external article in a volume outside the system;

said optical system comprising:
an optical detector;
an entrance aperture;
an afocal element, associated with the aperture, for enlarging or reducing the field of regard of such external article and such volume as seen by the detector;
and
disposed along an optical path between the detector and the entrance aperture, at least one mirror, rotatable about plural axes, for causing the detector to address varying portions of such volume outside the optical system;
each mirror of the at least one mirror is a microelectromechanical mirror having dimensions in a range exceeding thirty microns;
wherein, due to said enlarging or reducing of the field of regard together with rotation of the at least one mirror, such external article is visible to the detector throughout the specified range, substantially without changing magnitude of said enlarging or reducing.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Optical systems and methods using microelectromechanical-systems mirrors exceeding thirty microns

Life of this patent

Optical systems and methods using microelectromechanical-systems mirrors exceeding thirty microns

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims60