Method and apparatus for modulating a light beam
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
-
May 10, 1994
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Apr 28, 1992
filing date -
Apr 28, 1992
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light, the modulator comprising a plurality of equally spaced-apart elements, each of which includes a light-reflective planar surface. The elements are arranged parallel to each other with their light-reflective surfaces parallel to each other. The modulator includes means for supporting the elements in relation to one another and means for moving particular ones of the elements relative to others so that the moved elements transit between a first configuration wherein the modulator acts to reflect the incident beam of light as a plane mirror, and a second configuration wherein the modulator diffracts the light reflected therefrom. In operation the light-reflective surfaces of the elements remain parallel to each other in both the first and second configurations. The perpendicular spacing between the reflective surfaces of the respective elements is equal to m/4 .times. the wavelength of the incident beam of light, wherein m equals an even whole number or zero when the elements are in the first configuration and m equals an odd whole number when the elements are in the second configuration.
First Claim
Other Claims data not available
Family
International Classification(s)
Cited Art Landscape
Patent Citation Ranking
- 610 Citation Count
- H04N Class
- 98.42 % this patent is cited more than
- 31 Age