Photomechanical positioning and stabilization method and devices using

Abstract

A novel photomechanical positioning method using optic fibers, and one embodiment of an apparatus that employs the method, is described. The method comprises providing an optic fiber that changes length in response to the transmission of a light beam through the fiber. The optic fiber is attached to an object capable of movement in response to a change in the fiber's length. An illustrated embodiment of an apparatus employing such method is an interferometer that includes an optic fiber made from a polymeric organic material. A movable mirror forms one arm of the interferometer, and is attached to the optic fiber for movement in response to changes in the length of the fiber. A light source, such as a laser, is used to generate a beam of light that is transmitted through the optic fiber. The system also generally includes a feedback path for transmitting a portion of the light beam into the end of the fiber opposite the end of the fiber to which the object is attached. This helps determine the position of the position of the mirror when its position changes in response to the application of an external force. The polymeric fibers typically have a plurality of fiber lengths corresponding to stable states of length between which the length of the fiber may be changed, either discretely or continuously, by the application of a force.