Abstract: An opto-mechanical device is constituted by an optically responsive actuating member in which a mechanical strain occurs in response to changes in its illumination. The actuating member is preferably at least partly formed from a semiconducting glassy matrix such as a chalcogenide glass. Preferably the opto-mechanical device illuminates the actuating member with light which is preferably plane polarized. Preferably it also varies the polarization angle of the plane polarized light to cause a change in the strain generated in the actuating member.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 1999
Date of Patent:
May 21, 2002
Assignee:
Polight Technologies Limited
Inventors:
Stephen Richard Elliott, Mark Edward Welland, Pavel Krecmer