The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 06, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 14, 2000
Michael J. Little, Oak Park, CA (US);
Andrei M. Shkel, Irvine, CA (US);
Solus Micro Technologies, Inc., Westlake Village, CA (US);
Abstract
A sequence of MEMS processing steps are used to construct a 2D optical switch on a single substrate. In a typical optical switch configuration, an array of hinged micromirrors are supported by an array of posts at a 45° angle to the input and output optical paths and positioned parallel to the substrate either above, below or, perhaps, in the optical paths. The application of a voltage between the mirror and its control electrodes switches the mirror to a vertical position where it intercepts and deflects light travelling down the optical paths. The posts are suitably oriented at a 90° angle with respect to the mirror hinges so that they do not interfere with the optical paths and, may be configured to function as baffles to reduce crosstalk between adjacent optical paths.