Abstract: A cutting blade (56) having a cutting edge (80) defined by an intersection of a first cutting edge surface (72) and a second cutting edge surface (66) is disclosed. The angle between the first cutting edge surface (72) and the second cutting edge surface (66) defines a blade angle (?). The blade (56) may be fabricated from a wafer (130) by an anisotropic etch. An upper surface (134) of the wafer (130) is defined by a first set of 3 Miller indices, where at least one individual Miller index of this first set has an absolute value greater than 3. A top surface (60) of the blade (56) is defined by part of the upper surface (134) of the wafer (130). The anisotropic etch proceeds until reaching a particular crystallographic plane to define the first cutting edge surface (72). Having the top surface (60) of the blade (56) defined by the noted set of 3 Miller indices increases the potential that a blade angle (?) of a desired magnitude may be realized.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system is disclosed that constrains the direction of a force acting on a first load, where the force originates from the interaction of the first load and a second load. In particular, the direction of a force acting on the first load is caused to be substantially parallel with a motion of the first load. This force direction constraint is achieved by a force isolator microstructure that contains no rubbing or contacting surfaces. Various embodiments of structures/methods to achieve this force direction constraint using a force isolator microstructure are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to off axis optical signal redirection architectures that employ positionable reflective microstructures (e.g. microelectromechanical (MEM) mirrors) fabricated on one or more substrates. In one embodiment, an optical signal redirection system (10) includes a reflective microstructure array (12) formed on a substrate (30). The reflective microstructure array (12) includes one or more reflective microstructures (14). Each of the reflective microstructures (14) includes an optically reflective surface (20) and is positionable with respect to the substrate (30) in order to orient its reflective surface (20) for redirecting optical signals (24) incoming from one or more originating locations (16) to one or more target locations (18).

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEM system (10) having a platform (14) that is both elevatable from the substrate (12) on which it is fabricated and tiltable with one, two or more degrees of freedom with respect to the substrate (12). In one embodiment, the MEM system (10) includes the platform (14), a pair of A-frame structures (40), and two pairs of actuators (30) formed on the substrate (12). Ends (46A) of rigid members (46) extending from apexes (40A) of the A-frame structures (40) are attached to the platform (14) by compliant members (48A, 48B). The platform (14) is also attached to the substrate (12) by a compliant member (48C). The A-frame structures (40) are separately pivotable about bases (40B) thereof. Each pair of actuators (30) is coupled through a yoke (32) and displacement multiplier (34) to one of the A-frame structures (40) and is separately operable to effect pivoting of the A-frame structures (40) with respect to the substrate (12) by equal or unequal angular amounts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEM system (10) having a platform (14) that is both elevatable from the substrate (12) on which it is fabricated and tiltable with one, two or more degrees of freedom with respect to the substrate (12). In one embodiment, the MEM system (10) includes the platform (14), a pair of A-frame structures (40), and two pairs of actuators (30) formed on the substrate (12). Ends (46A) of rigid members (46) extending from apexes (40A) of the A-frame structures (40) are attached to the platform (14) by compliant members (48A, 48B). The platform (14) is also attached to the substrate (12) by a compliant member (48C). The A-frame structures (40) are separately pivotable about bases (40B) thereof. Each pair of actuators (30) is coupled through a yoke (32) and displacement multiplier (34) to one of the A-frame structures (40) and is separately operable to effect pivoting of the A-frame structures (40) with respect to the substrate (12) by equal or unequal angular amounts.

Abstract: A novel optical channel processing unit is disclosed that is useful for multiplexing, demultiplexing and switching optical signals in a WDM network. In one embodiment, the optical channel processing unit is implemented as an optical switch (700) for interfacing any of various multichannel input ports (702) with any of various multichannel output ports (704). The illustrated switch (700) includes a two-dimensional array of input ports (702) and a two-dimensional array of output ports (704). An input signal (705) is transmitted via a spectral device (706) to an input movable mirror array (708). A signal transmitted by an output port (704) is transmitted via a spectral device (712) to mirrors (714) of an output mirror movable mirror array (716). Each mirror of each array (708 and 716) is movable to target any selected mirror of the opposing array (708 or 716). The arrays (708 and 716) thereby support full multichannel switching functionality for more than two channels.

Abstract: A novel optical channel processing unit is disclosed that is useful for multiplexing, demultiplexing, switching and otherwise processing optical signals in a WDM network. In one embodiment, the optical channel processing unit is implemented as an optical switch (700) for interfacing any of various multichannel input ports (702) with any of various multichannel output ports (704). The illustrated switch (700) includes a two-dimensional array of input ports (702) and a two-dimensional array of output ports (704). An input signal (705) is transmitted via a spectral device (706) to an input movable mirror array (708). A signal transmitted by an output port (704) is transmitted via a spectral device (712) to mirrors (714) of an output mirror movable mirror array (716). Each mirror of each array (708 and 716) is movable to target any selected mirror of the opposing array (708 or 716). The arrays (708 and 716) thereby support full multichannel switching functionality for more than two channels.

Abstract: A cutting head assembly (10′) for a microkeratome (4′) is disclosed. The cutting head assembly (10′) includes a blade (56). This blade (56) has a first major surface (64) and a second major surface (60). A first cutting edge surface (72) extends between the first major surface (64) and the second major surface (60), and defines a cutting edge (80) at its intersection with the first major surface (64). The blade (56) is oriented in the cutting head assembly (10′) such that the first major surface (64) is above the second major surface (60).

Abstract: A cutting tool (20) for a microkeratome (4) is disclosed. This cutting tool (20) includes a blade handle (24) and a separate cutting blade (56). Both the blade handle (24) and cutting blade (56) include features to register or align a cutting edge (80) of the cutting blade (56) with a microkeratome registration surface (28) of the blade handle (24). This microkeratome registration surface (28) of the blade handle (24) interfaces with a cutting tool registration surface (14) of a head assembly (10) of the microkeratome (4) on which the cutting tool (20) is installed. Therefore, the cutting edge (80) of the cutting blade (56) is registered or aligned relative to the cutting tool registration surface (14) of the head assembly (10) of the microkeratome (4).

Abstract: A cutting blade (56) having a cutting edge (80) defined by an intersection of a first cutting edge surface (72) and a second cutting edge surface (66) is disclosed. The angle between the first cutting edge surface (72) and the second cutting edge surface (66) defines a blade angle (&thgr;). The blade (56) may be fabricated from a wafer (130) by an anisotropic etch. An upper surface (134) of the wafer (130) is defined by a first set of 3 Miller indices, where at least one individual Miller index of this first set has an absolute value greater than 3. A top surface (60) of the blade (56) is defined by part of the upper surface (134) of the wafer (130). The anisotropic etch proceeds until reaching a particular crystallographic plane to define the first cutting edge surface (72). Having the top surface (60) of the blade (56) defined by the noted set of 3 Miller indices increases the potential that a blade angle (&thgr;) of a desired magnitude may be realized.

Abstract: A cutting tool (20′) for a microkeratome (4) is disclosed. This cutting tool (20′) includes a blade handle (24) and a separate cutting blade (56). The blade handle (24) is mounted on the cutting blade (54) on a surface (64) of the blade (54) that also contains a cutting edge (80). This cutting edge (80) is defined by an intersection of the surface (64) and a first cutting edge surface (72). Cutting edge surface (72) actually extends between the major surfaces (60), (64) of the blade (56), which are oppositely disposed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEM system (10) having a platform (14) that is both elevatable from the substrate (12) on which it is fabricated and tiltable with one, two or more degrees of freedom with respect to the substrate (12). In one embodiment, the MEM system (10) includes the platform (14), a pair of A-frame structures (40), and two pairs of actuators (30) formed on the substrate (12). Ends (46A) of rigid members (46) extending from apexes (40A) of the A-frame structures (40) are attached to the platform (14) by compliant members (48A, 48B). The platform (14) is also attached to the substrate (12) by a compliant member (48C). The A-frame structures (40) are separately pivotable about bases (40B) thereof. Each pair of actuators (30) is coupled through a yoke (32) and displacement multiplier (34) to one of the A-frame structures (40) and is separately operable to effect pivoting of the A-frame structures (40) with respect to the substrate (12) by equal or unequal angular amounts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEM system (10) having a platform (14) that is both elevatable from the substrate (12) on which it is fabricated and tiltable with one, two or more degrees of freedom with respect to the substrate (12). In one embodiment, the MEM system (10) includes the platform (14), a pair of A-frame structures (40), and two pairs of actuators (30) formed on the substrate (12). Ends (46A) of rigid members (46) extending from apexes (40A) of the A-frame structures (40) are attached to the platform (14) by compliant members (48A, 48B). The platform (14) is also attached to the substrate (12) by a compliant member (48C). The A-frame structures (40) are separately pivotable about bases (40B) thereof. Each pair of actuators (30) is coupled through a yoke (32) and displacement multiplier (34) to one of the A-frame structures (40) and is separately operable to effect pivoting of the A-frame structures (40) with respect to the substrate (12) by equal or unequal angular amounts.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEM) apparatus is disclosed which has a platform that can be elevated above a substrate and tilted at an arbitrary angle using a plurality of flexible members which support the platform and control its movement. Each flexible member is further controlled by one or more MEM actuators which act to bend the flexible member. The MEM actuators can be electrostatic comb actuators or vertical zip actuators, or a combination thereof. The MEM apparatus can include a mirror coating to form a programmable mirror for redirecting or switching one or more light beams for use in a projection display. The MEM apparatus with-the mirror coating also has applications for switching light beams between optical fibers for use in a local area fiber optic network, or for use in fiber optic telecommunications or data communications systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEM system (10) having a platform (14) that is both elevatable from the substrate (12) on which it is fabricated and tiltable with one, two or more degrees of freedom with respect to the substrate (12). In one embodiment, the MEM system (10) includes the platform (14), a pair of A-frame structures (40), and two pairs of actuators (30) formed on the substrate (12). Ends (46A) of rigid members (46) extending from apexes (40A) of the A-frame structures (40) are attached to the platform (14) by compliant members (48A, 48B). The platform (14) is also attached to the substrate (12) by a compliant member (48C). The A-frame structures (40) are separately pivotable about bases (40B) thereof. Each pair of actuators (30) is coupled through a yoke (32) and displacement multiplier (34) to one of the A-frame structures (40) and is separately operable to effect pivoting of the A-frame structures (40) with respect to the substrate (12) by equal or unequal angular amounts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEM system (10) having a platform (14) that is both elevatable from the substrate (12) on which it is fabricated and tiltable with one, two or more degrees of freedom with respect to the substrate (12). In one embodiment, the MEM system (10) includes the platform (14), a pair of A-frame structures (40), and two pairs of actuators (30) formed on the substrate (12). Ends (46A) of rigid members (46) extending from apexes (40A) of the A-frame structures (40) are attached to the platform (14) by compliant members (48A, 48B). The platform (14) is also attached to the substrate (12) by a compliant member (48C). The A-frame structures (40) are separately pivotable about bases (40B) thereof. Each pair of actuators (30) is coupled through a yoke (32) and displacement multiplier (34) to one of the A-frame structures (40) and is separately operable to effect pivoting of the A-frame structures (40) with respect to the substrate (12) by equal or unequal angular amounts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a MEM system (10) having a platform (14) that is both elevatable from the substrate (12) on which it is fabricated and tiltable with one, two or more degrees of freedom with respect to the substrate (12). In one embodiment, the MEM system (10) includes the platform (14), a pair of A-frame structures (40), and two pairs of actuators (30) formed on the substrate (12). Ends (46A) of rigid members (46) extending from apexes (40A) of the A-frame structures (40) are attached to the platform (14) by compliant members (48A, 48B). The platform (14) is also attached to the substrate (12) by a compliant member (48C). The A-frame structures (40) are separately pivotable about bases (40B) thereof. Each pair of actuators (30) is coupled through a yoke (32) and displacement multiplier (34) to one of the A-frame structures (40) and is separately operable to effect pivoting of the A-frame structures (40) with respect to the substrate (12) by equal or unequal angular amounts.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system is disclosed that constrains the direction of a force acting on a first load, where the force originates from the interaction of the first load and a second load. In particular, the direction of a force acting on the first load is caused to be substantially parallel with a motion of the first load. This force direction constraint is achieved by a force isolator microstructure that contains no rubbing or contacting surfaces. Various embodiments of structures/methods to achieve this force direction constraint using a force isolator microstructure are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a free space optical cross connect for switching optical signals between a plurality of optical signal ports to/from the switch interface. In one embodiment, a single chip 2N OXC (10) for switching optical signals (12) between any one of N input optical fibers (14) and any one of N output optical fibers (16) within a compact free space switch interface (18) includes N reflective microstructures (20) built/assembled on a substrate (30) and N positioning systems (40) associated with the reflective microstructures (20) that are also built/assembled on the substrate (30).

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system is disclosed that constrains the direction of a force acting on a first load, where the force originates from the interaction of the first load and a second load. In particular, the direction of a force acting on the first load is caused to be substantially parallel with a motion of the first load. This force direction constraint is achieved by a force isolator microstructure that contains no rubbing or contacting surfaces. Various embodiments of structures/methods to achieve this force direction constraint using a force isolator microstructure are disclosed.