Inphase Technologies, Inc.

Applied Magnetics, LLC

Akonia Holographics LLC

Charles Henry Ernst

Keith W Malang

Craig Steven Cambier

James Joseph Wade

Curtis A Shuman

An electromechanical shutter device comprising a base member and a shutter assembly comprising: an electrical current source member; a shutter member movable between a light beam blocked position and a light beam passed position; a light beam blocking member associated with the shutter member; a shutter coil associated with the shutter member which generates an electromagnetic force when energized; at least one magnet which generates a magnet flux directed towards and intersecting the shutter coil; electrically conductive means connecting the electrical current source member to the shutter member for passing electrical current to energize the shutter coil and to control movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked and passed positions; wherein when the shutter coil is energized, an electromagnetic force is generated that interacts with the magnetic flux to thereby cause movement of the shutter member between the light beam blocked and light beam passed positions.

High speed electromechanical shutter

A compact optical head for reading or writing data on an optical disc is disclosed wherein the optical head comprises an integrated laser diode/photodetector package, a half-cube beamsplitter, and an objective lens. Light emitted from a diode laser is in transmitted to the beamsplitter and deflected towards the objective lens. The objective lens focuses the incident light on a focal point on the surface of the disc. A reflected beam travels along the same path as the incident light and is deflected by the beamsplitter toward a photodetector contained in the integrated package, wherein the photodetector is displaced from the laser diode. Other embodiments of the beamsplitter are disclosed which include a wedged plate for transmitting collimated light emitted from the laser diode, and a cylindrical lens for introducing astigmatism into the reflected beam. The present invention provides a substantial reduction in the size and volume required by the optical head, advantageously allowing the head to be easily integrated with an actuator for focussing and tracking the incident beam on the disc.

Compact optical head

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Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

Charles Henry Ernst