Including A Plurality Of Adjustable Mirror Supports Patents (Class 359/849)
  • Publication number: 20130176606
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a light scanning unit including a light source to emit a light beam; a deflector to deflect the light beam in a main scanning direction; an imaging lens to focus the light beam deflected by the deflector onto a photoconductor; at least one reflecting element to reflect the light beam that has passed through the imaging lens; and a bow control apparatus to correct a bow of a scanning line of the light beam, the bow control apparatus comprising first and second support units to support the reflecting element, first and second pressure units to pressure an inside and an outside of the reflecting element, respectively, and first and second adjusting elements to adjust the amount of pressure of the first and second pressure units, the bow control apparatus convexly or concavely bows the reflecting element to correctan image bow of a scanning line of the light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In-ho JIN, Tae-kyoung LEE
  • Patent number: 8469527
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bimorph optical device comprising a deformable optical element and active elements made of piezoelectric ceramic provided with electrodes, said elements being controlled in pairs and in opposition so as to produce a compression movement for a first element of a pair and an extension movement for the second element of a pair, the device being characterized in that the optical element (1) presents an optically active first main surface (6) and a second main surface (7) opposite to the first main surface, together with at least first and second opposite lateral faces (2, 3), and in that the ceramic active elements comprise at least two pairs of bars (21, 22; 31, 32) of piezoelectric ceramic placed facing each other on said first and second lateral faces (2, 3), each pair comprising two bars (21, 22; 31, 32) placed on one of the first and second lateral faces (2, 3) on either side of a middle surface of the optical element (1) that constitutes the neutral axis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Systemes Optiques
    Inventor: Jean-François Carre
  • Patent number: 8414299
    Abstract: A vehicle simulation system equipped to display information on the rear side of a driver (rider). The simulation system includes a dummy bicycle operated by the rider, a monitor on the front side for displaying a scene based on the operations of the dummy bicycle, and a lamp unit connected to the dummy bicycle and provided on the rear side relative to the seated position of the rider. The lamp unit has a red lamp, a yellow lamp and a green lamp, and is controlledly turned ON under the action of a main control unit. An input device is provided on a steering handle of the dummy bicycle. The input device has a switch for red, a switch for yellow, and a switch for green. The rider checks behind, and operates the input device according to the ON/OFF conditions of the lamp unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadanao Ichimi, Yukio Miyamaru
  • Publication number: 20130070355
    Abstract: Optical devices can comprise a deformable mirror and a system for deforming said mirror. A deformation system comprises a first mechanical structure comprising a first surround, one or more electromechanical actuators attached to the first mechanical structure, a second mechanical structure comprising a substantially planar bottom and a second surround, both deformable, the bottom being attached to the first surround, the second surround being attached to the surround of the mirror, a rigid stud being attached to the bottom, substantially planar and centred on the bottom, the electromechanical actuator or actuators exerting predetermined forces or bending moments on the stud so as to generate a particular distribution of the bending moments on the surround of the mirror, deforming it according to a geometrical form representative or of one or more predetermined geometrical aberrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicants: THALES, UNIVERSITE D'AIX MARSEILLE, CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES CNES, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Emmanuel HUGOT, Marie LASLANDES, Marc FERRARI, Arnaud LIOTARD
  • Publication number: 20130070356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a deformable mirror comprising a deformable membrane (2) having a reflecting face (3) and being mounted on a support provided with at least one actuator designed to deform said membrane (2), said actuator comprising at least one movable member (7) fixed to the membrane (2) via an adhesive joint (8) and having a main body (11) located away from the adhesive joint (8), said body being extended by an active part (12) that penetrates said adhesive joint (8) partly or completely in such a way that the adhesive spreads over the concealed face (4), parallel to the reflecting face (3), and adheres at least partly to the side wall (14) of said active part (12), this part (12) forming a tip (32) limiting the bonding footprint on said reflecting face (3). Deformable mirror for adaptive optics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Sebastien Marin Michel Camet, Jean-Francois Yves Curis, Frederic Christian Robert Rooms
  • Patent number: 8353600
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) actuator assembly includes a mirror and four actuators. Each actuator includes a lever pivotable about a fulcrum axis. The inner end of each lever is coupled to one side of the mirror. Force is applied to one outer end of the levers to move one side of the mirror, which positions the mirror in one of four positions. Force is applied to two outer ends of the levers to move two sides of the mirror, which positions the mirror in one of four additional positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced NuMicro Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yee-Chung Fu
  • Publication number: 20130003202
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bimorph optical device comprising a deformable optical element and active elements made of piezoelectric ceramic provided with electrodes, said elements being controlled in pairs and in opposition so as to produce a compression movement for a first element of a pair and an extension movement for the second element of a pair, the device being characterized in that the optical element (1) presents an optically active first main surface (6) and a second main surface (7) opposite to the first main surface, together with at least first and second opposite lateral faces (2, 3), and in that the ceramic active elements comprise at least two pairs of bars (21, 22; 31, 32) of piezoelectric ceramic placed facing each other on said first and second lateral faces (2, 3), each pair comprising two bars (21, 22; 31, 32) placed on one of the first and second lateral faces (2, 3) on either side of a middle surface of the optical element (1) that constitutes the neutral axis thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Jean-François Carre
  • Patent number: 8345078
    Abstract: An optical component bowing device includes a bending moment generating structure. In a particular embodiment, the bending moment generating structure can have extension members that extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of an optical component. The extension members can be positioned adjacent longitudinal end portions of the optical component. The bending moment generating structure can also have loading members that load the extension members in a direction that is parallel to a longitudinal direction of the optical component, whereby displacement of the extension members can generate a bending moment in a supported portion of the optical component that reflects or shapes a light beam. The bending moment generating structure can also include a reflective surface. Extension members on at least one end of the optical component can be T-shaped when seen in plan view in a direction orthogonal to the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sakamoto, Katsuyuki Yanagisawa, Katsuhiko Nakaie
  • Patent number: 8322870
    Abstract: A fast-steering, deformable mirror system is configured to manipulate a reflective surface in order to control the reflection of electromagnetic radiation off of the reflective surface. The system is configured to steer the reflective surface as a unit, and also to deform the reflective surface. The system is designed to reduce hysteresis in drive signals that control deformation of the reflective surface, to maintain an overall size and/or footprint of conventional fast-steering, non-deformable mirror systems, and/or provide other enhancements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Kirk A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8292441
    Abstract: A deformable mirror includes a plurality of block segments and at least one actuator. The block segments are arranged in an array, with adjacent block segments being coupled together by an elastomer and the top surface of the array being reflective. The at least one actuator is coupled to at least one of the block segments at the bottom surface of the array and is adapted to adjust in piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Optical Physics Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Hutchin, Matthew T. Hunwardsen, Marc T. Jacoby
  • Patent number: 8270056
    Abstract: An electromechanical systems device includes a plurality of supports disposed over a substrate and a deformable reflective layer disposed over the plurality of supports. The deformable reflective layer includes a plurality of substantially parallel columns extending in a first direction. Each column has one or more slots extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. The slots can be created at boundary edges of sub-portions of the columns so as to partially mechanically separate the sub-portions without electrically disconnecting them. A method of fabricating an electromechanical device includes depositing an electrically conductive deformable reflective layer over a substrate, removing one or more portions of the deformable layer to form a plurality of electrically isolated columns, and forming at least one crosswise slot in at least one of the columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Fan Zhong, Marc Mignard
  • Publication number: 20120162799
    Abstract: The embodiment of the invention provides a supporting and a shape-regulating device for a reflector of a heliostat, which relates to the solar field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Yulei Zhao, Jie Wang, Changjiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8182103
    Abstract: A millimeter wave power source module may include N submodules, each of which includes M circuit devices, where M and N are greater than one. Each circuit device may have an output connected to a corresponding radiating element. Each submodule may include a power divider having K input ports and M output ports, where K is a factor of M. Each input port may be coupled to a corresponding receiving element, and each output port may be coupled to an input of a corresponding circuit device. Each submodule may include a heat spreader for removing heat from the circuit devices. The power source module may include a combination RF feed network and heat sink. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may include a wavefront expander to expand the RF input wavefront along at least one axis, and to direct the expanded wavefront to the receiving elements of the N submodules. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may also include a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heat spreaders of the N submodules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Brown, Andrew Kent Brown, William Earl Dolash, Darin Michael Gritters, Thomas Lee Obert, Michael John Sotelo
  • Publication number: 20120105989
    Abstract: An array of reflective elements in which at least one of the reflective elements is mounted on a mounting which comprises a rod at least partially located within a sleeve. A first end of the rod is fixed to a first end of the sleeve and a second end of the rod is moveable, the sleeve including a first resiliently flexible portion which is configured to bend in order to allow the movement of the second end of the rod to take place, wherein the reflective element is mounted at the first end of the sleeve such that bending of the sleeve causes rotation of the reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Edwin Johan Buis, Gosse Charles De Vries
  • Patent number: 8162494
    Abstract: A structure such as an electronically deformable mirror contains a deformable membrane, an array of actuators located facing the membrane, each actuator being arranged to actuate local displacement of the membrane perpendicular to its surface. The actuators and the membrane are connected via an array of actuating connections. The actuating connections substantially transmit movement perpendicular to the second surface, but leave planar displacement and/or local rotation of the second surface substantially free. Preferably, the actuators contain an array of soft magnetic islands on a soft magnetic base plane, with actuator coils running around the islands and a system of sort magnetic walls on the base plane to separate the coils. The walls support a soft magnetic resilient surface that extend over of the islands and serve to drive the actuating connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Roger Franciscus Mattheus Maria Hamelinck, Petrus Carolus Johannes Nicolaas Rosielle, Jakobus Pieter Kappelhof
  • Publication number: 20120069464
    Abstract: Provided is a large scale light shielding device and a light shielding method for controlling weather. A light shielding device 1 includes a shielding member 11 that shields a part or all of spectrums of sunlight, a buoyant force imparting unit 13 having buoyant members 41, and a drive mechanism 15. The shielding member 11 includes, in order to shield the part or all of the spectrums of the sunlight, a light shielding unit 35 and a light transmitting unit 37. The drive mechanism 15 includes a driving unit 21 that settles or changes a position of the light shielding device 1, and a controlling unit 25 for the driving unit 21. Buoyant force is produced by the buoyant members 41, and imparted to the light shielding device 1 in a direction opposite of gravity due to an own weight of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: Hideyo Murakami
  • Publication number: 20120069463
    Abstract: A fast-steering, deformable mirror system is configured to manipulate a reflective surface in order to control the reflection of electromagnetic radiation off of the reflective surface. The system is configured to steer the reflective surface as a unit, and also to deform the reflective surface. The system is designed to reduce hysteresis in drive signals that control deformation of the reflective surface, to maintain an overall size and/or footprint of conventional fast-steering, non-deformable mirror systems, and/or provide other enhancements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Kirk A. MILLER
  • Patent number: 8118965
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for variable shape mirrors, which is suitable for mass production, includes a bonding step for sandwiching support pillars and piezoelectric elements between a support substrate and a mirror substrate, and bonding at least the support substrate and the support pillar to each other, the support substrate and the piezoelectric element to each other, and the mirror substrate and the support pillars to each other, respectively, and an elastic film forming step for forming a flat elastic film on the outer surface of the mirror substrate, and a reflection film forming step for forming a reflection film on the elastic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Maeda, Katuhiko Tanaka, Akira Ishii, Susumu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8099247
    Abstract: A combination mirror and media display device assembly is provided. The combination mirror and media display device includes a mirror platform having a media display device viewing area and a media display device coupled to the mirror platform. The media display device is positioned to display images through the media display device viewing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Electric Mirror, LLC
    Inventors: James V. Mischel, Jr., James V. Mischel, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20110310455
    Abstract: A curve correction mechanism for correcting a direction and degree of curvature of a reflecting mirror that reflects a light beam includes an adjuster to contact and move a pressing member between a first position, where a first pressing portion of the pressing member presses against an outboard portion of the reflecting mirror provided outboard from a support that supports the reflecting mirror in a longitudinal direction of the reflecting mirror while a second pressing portion of the pressing member is isolated from the reflecting mirror, and a second position, where the second pressing portion of the pressing member presses against an inboard portion of the reflecting mirror provided inboard from the support while the first pressing portion of the pressing member is isolated from the reflecting mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Keiichi Serizawa, Hiroshi Johno, Takeshi Yamakawa, Kazunori Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110299183
    Abstract: This invention relates to a plate-type deformable mirror with discrete contacts between the faceplate and the actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Justin Dennis Mansell, Brian G. Henderson
  • Patent number: 8071873
    Abstract: This invention deals with novel method and apparatus for positioning and motion control of the elements (mirrors) of a Fresnel reflector solar concentrator tracking heliostat array by induced and/or permanent dipole coupling to an electronic grid to produce angular deflection, and rotational motion. Thus forces and torques are produced without the use of internal moving parts. Control is achieved without recourse to magnetic fields, by means of high electric fields which may be attained at relatively low voltages. At low voltages, the instant invention exceeds the capability of conventional systems. It can perform dynamic motion control with independent amplitude and frequency modulation. It is ideally suited for maximization of solar energy focused by the array onto a receiver. Since there are no internal moving parts, the instant invention is the most adapted for fabrication from the mini- to the microtechnology realm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Mario Rabinowitz
  • Publication number: 20110273694
    Abstract: An individual mirror is used to construct a facet mirror. A mirror body of the individual mirror is configured to be tiltable relative to a rigid carrier body about at least one tilting axis of a tilting joint. The tilting joint is configured as a solid-body joint. The solid-body joint, perpendicular to the tilting axis, has a joint thickness S and, along the tilting axis, a joint length L. The following applies: L/S>50. The result is an individual mirror to construct a facet mirror, which can be reproduced and is precisely adjustable and simultaneously ensures adequate heat removal, in particular, heat produced by residually absorbed useful radiation, which is reflected by the individual mirror, by dissipation of the heat by the mirror body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT GMBH
    Inventors: Armin Werber, Norbert Muehlberger, Florian Bach
  • Publication number: 20110242688
    Abstract: A strobe reflector that includes a reflective material and a support structure is provided. The support structure may be adjusted or moved into at least two distinct positions to provide two distinct shapes for the reflective material. The first position of the support structure shapes the reflective material in a first configuration (such as a half-hemisphere) and a second position of the support structure shapes the reflective material in a second configuration (such as a full hemisphere). The different shapes of the reflective material may be used for different mountings of the strobe device, such as for a ceiling mount or a wall mount. In this way, a single strobe reflector may be configured for different installations (whether to the wall or ceiling).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SimplexGrinnell LP
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Savage, JR., Steven T. Varieur
  • Patent number: 8029437
    Abstract: An endoscope has a tubular shaft whose interior contains components, in particular lenses, spacers, diaphragms, prisms and filters of an optical system, said components being at least partially surrounded by a support piece made of shrunk material. It is proposed that the components be surrounded by a transparent and tube-sleeve-shaped shrunk material which has been shrunk before the components are introduced into the tubular shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Rudischhauser, Klaus Renner, Markus Kupferschmid
  • Publication number: 20110211268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a deformable mirror (1) comprising a deformable membrane (2) with a reflective outer face (3) and an opposite face (4), a rigid support plate (7), and at least one force actuator (5, 6). Each actuator (5, 6) comprises at least two elements (5, 6) suitable for interacting with each other remotely so as to generate a force in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the initially non-deformed membrane (2), and suitable for being displaced relative to each other in the direction of said generated force so as to cause said membrane (2) to be deformed locally. One of the two elements (5, 6) is incorporated into the support plate (7) and the other element is coupled to the membrane (2). One of said two elements (5, 6) is suitable for controlling the intensity of said generated force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Sébastien Camet, Jean-François Curis, Frédéric Rooms
  • Patent number: 7997744
    Abstract: A deformable hinge for use in microelectromechanical devices comprises a protection layer that is electrically conductive. The protection layer is on top of another hinge layer; and is more resistive than the hinge layer to the etchant used in during patterning and/or release processes during fabrication of the microelectromechanical device. As a result, the hinge layer can be protected from being damaged during the fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: David Rothenbury
  • Patent number: 7952780
    Abstract: A pair of support members each having a spring section in a part thereof support a mirror element, and a pair of drive mechanisms arranged respectively corresponding to a pair of the support members transform the spring sections of the corresponding support members, thereby changing a distance between each of support points at which the support members support the mirror element and a base. Accordingly, the mirror element can be translated by driving all of the drive mechanisms, or the mirror element can be inclined with respect to the base by driving some of the drive mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Soichi Owa, Junji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7928351
    Abstract: System and method for estimating and correcting an aberration of an optical system. The method includes capturing a first plurality of images on a first plurality of planes. The first plurality of images is formed by at least the optical system. Additionally, the method includes processing at least information associated with the first plurality of images, and determining a first auxiliary function based upon at least the information associated with the first plurality of images. The first auxiliary function represents a first aberration of the optical system. Moreover, the method includes adjusting the optical system based upon at least information associated with the first auxiliary function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Gopal Vasudevan, Robert Duncan Reardon, Eric Hartel Smith, Kenneth John Triebes
  • Publication number: 20110085151
    Abstract: An illumination optical system for microlithography is used to guide an illumination light bundle from a radiation source to an object field in an object plane. A field facet mirror has a plurality of field facets to predetermine defined illumination conditions in the object field. A following optical system is arranged downstream of the field facet mirror to transfer the illumination light into the object field. The following optical system has a pupil facet mirror with a plurality of pupil facets. Some of the field facets are divided into individual mirrors, which predetermine individual mirror illumination channels. The latter illuminate object field portions, which are smaller than the object field. At least some of the individual mirrors are configured as individual correction mirrors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Deguenther
  • Patent number: 7891824
    Abstract: A reflector for the lighting device and an illumination system of the projection apparatus are provided. The reflector comprises a first reflecting structure and a second reflecting structure disposed on the portion of the first reflecting structure. The reflecting surfaces of the first and second reflecting structures are formed with a distance therebetween. After the first portion of the light is reflected from the first reflecting surface and the second portion of the light is reflected from the second reflecting surface, the second portion of the light is adapted to remove the centrally dimmed area at the opening of the lighting device. Thus, the luminance performance can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Junejei Huang
  • Publication number: 20110019295
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a deformable mirror including a deformable membrane with a reflecting face and an opposite face, a stiff plate and a structure of at least one actuator at least a part of which is fixed to the stiff plate and able to locally deform the membrane, wherein the deformable mirror also includes a not necessarily uniform adhesive layer against the opposite surface of the membrane, and a structure of at least one flexible coupling including a mechanical connection and upper and lower linking means coupling respectively the upper and lower ends of the mechanical connection to the adhesive layer and to the stiff plate. The disclosure also relates to a tool and a method making it possible to produce such a mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: UJF-FILIALE
    Inventors: Frédéric Rooms, Sébastien Camet, Jean-François Curis
  • Publication number: 20110013300
    Abstract: A MEMS hierarchically-dimensioned deformable minor comprising a substrate, a plurality of spacers disposed on the substrate, a plurality of piezoelectric cantilever microactuators disposed on the plurality of spacers, and a continuous deformable membrane disposed on the plurality of the cantilever assemblies, has significantly improved overall device performances owing to the use of the cantilever microactuators based on relaxor ferroelectric single crystal materials or other piezoelectric materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Xingtao Wu
  • Publication number: 20110001947
    Abstract: A facet mirror is to be used as a bundle-guiding optical component in a projection exposure apparatus for microlithography. The facet mirror has a plurality of separate mirrors. For individual deflection of incident illumination light, the separate mirrors are in each case connected to an actuator in such a way that they are separately tiltable about at least one tilt axis. A control device, which is connected to the actuators, is configured in such a way that a given grouping of the separate mirrors can be grouped into separate mirror groups that include in each case at least two separate mirrors. The result is a facet mirror which, when installed in the projection exposure apparatus, increases the variability for setting various illumination geometries of an object field to be illuminated by the projection exposure apparatus. Various embodiments of separate mirrors for forming the facet mirrors are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: CARL ZEISS SMT AG
    Inventors: Udo Dinger, Martin Endres, Armin Werber, Norbert Muehlberger, Florian Bach
  • Publication number: 20100326521
    Abstract: This invention deals with novel method and apparatus for positioning and motion control of the elements (mirrors) of a Fresnel reflector solar concentrator tracking heliostat array by induced and/or permanent dipole coupling to an electronic grid to produce angular deflection, and rotational motion. Thus forces and torques are produced without the use of internal moving parts. Control is achieved without recourse to magnetic fields, by means of high electric fields which may be attained at relatively low voltages. At low voltages, the instant invention exceeds the capability of conventional systems. It can perform dynamic motion control with independent amplitude and frequency modulation. It is ideally suited for maximization of solar energy focused by the array onto a receiver. Since there are no internal moving parts, the instant invention is the most adapted for fabrication from the mini- to the microtechnology realm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Mario Rabinowitz
  • Publication number: 20100245965
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for effecting and changing optical distortions is disclosed. The apparatus includes a beam imaging apparatus including a first deformable mirror, a second deformable mirror, and a beam-steering apparatus. The beam-steering apparatus includes a plurality of planar tiltable mirrors arranged to define a radiation beam path therebetween, wherein the plurality of planar tiltable mirrors comprises at least three tiltable mirrors. A mirror drive system is configured to tilt each respective planar mirror about its respective axis of rotation or axes of rotation and a controller is configured to control deformation of a reflective surface of the first and the second deformable mirrors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Lacy G. Cook
  • Publication number: 20100238572
    Abstract: An electromechanical systems device includes a plurality of supports disposed over a substrate and a deformable reflective layer disposed over the plurality of supports. The deformable reflective layer includes a plurality of substantially parallel columns extending in a first direction. Each column has one or more slots extending in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. The slots can be created at boundary edges of sub-portions of the columns so as to partially mechanically separate the sub-portions without electrically disconnecting them. A method of fabricating an electromechanical device includes depositing an electrically conductive deformable reflective layer over a substrate, removing one or more portions of the deformable layer to form a plurality of electrically isolated columns, and forming at least one crosswise slot in at least one of the columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Fan Zhong
  • Publication number: 20100226028
    Abstract: A method for mounting a mirror for use in a telescope includes attaching the mirror to a plurality of adjustable mounts; determining a distortion in the mirror caused by the plurality adjustable mounts, and, if the distortion is determined to be above a predetermined level: adjusting one or more of the adjustable mounts; and determining the distortion in the mirror caused by the adjustable mounts; and in the event the determined distortion is determined to be at or below the predetermined level, rigidizing the adjustable mounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
    Inventors: Scott R. Antonille, Thomas E. Wallace, David A. Content, Shane W. Wake
  • Patent number: 7780300
    Abstract: A large, thin, variable focus lens that would be practical in a variety of applications, such as eyeglasses. An example of the present invention is a surface that can be deformed to a desirable shape in a simple, controllable fashion. In particular, a surface shape with desirable optical properties is achievable. The surface has the ability to produce a reflective or refractive surface with a variable optical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: R. Aaron Falk
  • Publication number: 20100202071
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a deformable mirror comprising individual units (1), each unit including a continuous reflective substrate (2) having a front and back surface, on the back surface of the substrate: a continuous mass electrode (3) and a plurality of in-plane actuators (4) of electrostrictive or piezo-electric material, arranged between the mass electrode (3) and individual addressing electrodes (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Universite Libre de Bruxelles
    Inventors: André PREUMONT, Gonçalo Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20100202070
    Abstract: A deformable mirror includes a plurality of block segments and at least one actuator. The block segments are arranged in an array, with adjacent block segments being coupled together by an elastomer and the top surface of the array being reflective. The at least one actuator is coupled to at least one of the block segments at the bottom surface of the array and is adapted to adjust in piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Optical Physics Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Hutchin, Matthew T. Hunwardsen, Marc T. Jacoby
  • Patent number: 7771065
    Abstract: An optical unit including a plate, an optical element, a fixing device for partially fixing the optical element against the plate, and a deforming device, located between the plate and the optical element, for applying a deforming force to the optical element to change a surface shape of the optical element. The deforming device includes poles for contacting a back face of the optical element, and actuators for driving the poles against the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Choshoku Sai, Shigeo Sakino, Katsumi Asada, Hirohito Ito, Shinji Uchida
  • Patent number: 7753538
    Abstract: In a variable-shape mirror provided with a support base, a mirror portion that is disposed to face the support base and that has, on a side thereof facing away from the support base, a mirror surface which is irradiated with a light beam, and piezoelectric elements that are sandwiched between the support base and the mirror portion and that vary the shape of the mirror surface, the piezoelectric elements are bonded, by means of a thin layer of metal, to at least one of the support base and the mirror portion by the application of heat and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagashima, Hitoshi Fujii, Fuminori Tanaka, Susumu Sugiyama, Akira Ishii, Katsuhiko Tanaka, Wataru Kuze
  • Patent number: 7755824
    Abstract: A micromirror unit is provided which includes a frame, a mirror forming base upon which a mirror surface is formed, and a torsion connector which includes a first end connected to the mirror forming base and a second end connected to the frame. The torsion connector defines a rotation axis about which the mirror forming base is rotated relative to the frame. The torsion connector has a width measured in a direction which is parallel to the mirror surface and perpendicular to the rotation axis. The width of the torsion connector is relatively great at the first end. The width becomes gradually smaller from the first end toward the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Tsuboi, Satoshi Ueda, Yoshihiro Mizuno, Ippei Sawaki, Hisao Okuda
  • Patent number: 7740363
    Abstract: This invention relates to a deformable-mirror holder for holding a mirror in a desired position, to within accepted tolerances, even whilst the mirror is deforming or in a deformed state. In particular, this invention relates to a holder for a bimorph mirror. A deformable-mirror holder is provided comprising a body with a central aperture for receiving a deformable mirror, the central aperture being defined by a plurality of flexible beams, with each flexible beam having an end shaped to provide a supporting surface and a flexible portion that connects the beam's end to the holder's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventors: Michael S Griffith, Nicholas J Archer, Leslie C Laycock
  • Patent number: 7692838
    Abstract: A deformable mirror formed out of two layers of a nanolaminate foil attached to a stiff substrate is introduced. Deformation is provided by an electrostatic force between two of the layers. The internal stiffness of the structure allows for high-spatial-frequency shapes. The nanolaminate foil of the present invention allows for a high-quality mirror surface. The device achieves high precision in the vertical direction by using foils with accurately controlled thicknesses, but does not require high precision in the lateral dimensions, allowing such mirrors to be fabricated using crude lithography techniques. Such techniques allow structures up to about the meter scale to be fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Alexandros P. Papavasiliou, Scot S. Olivier
  • Publication number: 20100078543
    Abstract: Provided is a compact, high-speed deformable mirror for use with an adaptive optic. The mirror or wavefront correction device corrects and/or compensates for wavefront aberrations present in a wavefront received by the optics. The mirror includes a deformable membrane which may be made of a semiconductive, metallic or insulating material. Positioned in close proximity to a front surface of the membrane is a transparent conductor, which may be covered by a window having an anti-reflective coating. A plurality of electrostatic actuators is located in close proximity to a back surface of the membrane, the conductor and actuators separated by a gap of approximately 10 ?m. In operation, a bias voltage is applied to the transparent conductor and an actuator voltage is applied to the plurality of actuators. The resultant voltage differential across the membrane defines the amount of membrane deformation, which in turn compensates for distortions in a subsequently reflected wavefront.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce K. Winker, Yu-Hua K. Lin, Sridhar Narayamaswamy, Bing Wen
  • Publication number: 20100073789
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a low cost moveable mirror with 2 axes of movement that is suitable for use in an optical application where a relatively large tip of tilt of a mirror is needed in a known series of positions repeatably and rapidly. This object is achieved by providing a planar structure with 4 bending actuators that can be produced through MEMs based manufacturing. The moveable mirror is flexibly connected to the bending actuators so it can be moved on 2 axes. The bending actuators are designed to have substantial length to increase the angular movement of the mirror. Hard stops are provided to provide repeatable and accurate positioning of the mirror for selected positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: John N. Border
  • Publication number: 20100033796
    Abstract: An optical module includes a mirror which reflects input light and which outputs output light; and a mirror control section which is opposite to the mirror and which controls, at the time of the input light being reflected from a reflecting surface of the mirror, the reflecting surface by distorting the reflecting surface according to voltage applied to the mirror so as to output the output light an optical coupling characteristic of which changes. By using this optical module, the optical coupling characteristic of the output light changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicants: FUJITSU LIMITED, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Shinji Yamashita, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Masaaki Kawai, Hiroyuki Fujita
  • Patent number: 7635191
    Abstract: Manufacturing method for variable shape mirrors suitable for mass production includes steps: for forming first grooves and second grooves along boundaries between areas to be variable shape mirrors on a surface of first wafer to be support substrate and a surface of second wafer to be mirror substrate; for arranging first and second wafer so that support pillars and piezoelectric elements are sandwiched between first and second wafer at areas with surface on which second grooves are formed facing inward for bonding; for dividing second wafer into mirror substrates by flattening process of outer surface of second wafer until at least reaching second groove; for dividing first wafer into the support substrates by breaking first wafer along first grooves; and for forming reflection film on outer surface of each of mirror substrates obtained by the dividing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Maeda, Katushiko Tanaka, Akira Ishii, Susumu Sugiyama