Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device includes a mirror; at least one hinge; an electrostatic comb structure; and a control device. The control device causes, for a period of time, a voltage to be supplied to the electrostatic comb structure to cause the electrostatic comb structure to tilt the mirror about the at least one hinge in a particular direction. The control device causes, after the period of time and at an instant of time, the voltage to cease being supplied to the electrostatic comb structure. A tilt angle of the mirror, at the first instant of time, is less than a maximum tilt angle of the mirror in the particular direction. An angular momentum of the mirror, at the instant of time, is greater than zero kilogram meters squared per second in the particular direction.

Abstract: An optical system is provided and includes a light-sensing element, a reflecting unit and a first driving assembly. The reflecting unit includes a reflecting surface, configured to receive an incident light and to reflect a reflecting light. The reflecting light travels into the light-sensing element. The first driving assembly is configured to control the reflecting unit to move along a first axis direction from a first position to a second position, so as to adjust a focus position of the reflecting light on the light-sensing element, wherein the reflecting surface in the first position is parallel to the reflecting surface in the second position, and a distance between a center of the reflecting unit in the first position and the center of the reflecting unit in the second position is not zero.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) device includes: a lower base; an upper base; a laser emitting unit for emitting a laser in a form of a point light source; a nodding mirror for transforming the laser in the form of the point light source to a line beam pattern which is perpendicular to the lower base, wherein the nodding mirror reflects the laser emitted from the laser emitting unit; a polygonal mirror for transforming the line beam pattern to a plane beam pattern and receiving a laser reflected from an object; and a sensor unit for receiving the laser reflected from the object via the polygonal mirror.

Abstract: An array of micro mirrors is used to beam steer a laser for Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) applications. The array of micro mirrors are driven in a nonlinear motion to synchronize motion of the micro mirrors in the array.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a micro-mirror array, and a backlight module and a display device using the same. Each reflection mirror in the micro-mirror array comprises a first axis of deflection and a second axis of deflection perpendicular to the first axis of deflection, and a deflection angle of the reflection mirror is controlled individually and continuously. The backlight module comprises a light source, a micro-mirror array and a control unit. The control unit adjusts a deflection angle of each reflection mirror in the micro-mirror array in response to a backlight control signal, so that depending on the backlight control signal, the micro-mirror array reflects light emitted from the light source evenly to an entire surface of the display screen or converges the light to one or more areas of the display screen.

Abstract: Disclosed is an actuator including a support member, an actuating unit rotatably installed in the support member and having a first electrode installed on one side and a stimulation providing unit installed on the other side to provide stimulation by rotation, and an attraction force providing unit having a second electrode to provide an attraction force to the first electrode, wherein when an electrostatic attraction force is provided to the first electrode through the second electrode, the actuating unit pivots to enable the stimulation providing unit to apply stimulation to a sensing unit.

Abstract: Nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) devices having nanomagnets for an improved range of operating voltages and improved control of dimensions of a cantilever are described. For example, in an embodiment, a nanoelectromechanical (NEMS) device includes a substrate layer, a first magnetic layer disposed above the substrate layer, a first dielectric layer disposed above the first magnetic layer, a second dielectric disposed above the first dielectric layer, and a cantilever disposed above the second dielectric layer. The cantilever bends from a first position to a second position towards the substrate layer when a voltage is applied to the cantilever.

Abstract: A reflective beam former for changing a diameter of a collimated light beam. A first mirror surface of a first curvature type, a second mirror surface and a third mirror surface are in a beam path; the shapes of the surfaces cause a collimated light beam entering the beam former via a first or third mirror surface to leave via the third or first mirror surface, respectively. The beam former includes several third, curved mirror surfaces of a second, different curvature type, one type being convex, the other concave. The second mirror surface is a plane mirror surface with an axis perpendicular to the plane mirror surface, and is in the beam path between the first and one selected from the several third mirror surfaces such that the surfaces are confocal to each other. The beam former includes a selector for selecting one of the several third curved mirror surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for material processing with a laser beam, in particular laser welding. It is comprised of a machine guided protective housing with an outlet opening surrounding the laser beam that is pointed at the material during processing. To create a machine for laser beam welding which ensures improved operator and personal safety without completely enclosing the machine, it is suggested that the protective housing contains at least one sensor which measures certain chemical or physical properties. The sensor is connected to the machines control unit which compares the current values with reference values for a measure and, depending on current/reference value comparison, interrupts the laser beam or prevents laser beam activation. In addition a method and arrangement for improved operator and personal safety for operation of such a machine is presented.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for shutter-based EMS light modulators controlled by electrode actuators that include complementary sets of corrugations or teeth along the opposing beams of the actuators. The complementary sets of corrugations substantially engage one another when drawn together via an actuation voltage. By applying the actuation voltage across the opposing beams of such an actuator, the beams are drawn together both by the electromotive force resulting from the electric field acting between the portions of the beams that are substantially perpendicular to the direction of actuation of the actuator, and by fringing fields between the sides of the corrugations, which are substantially parallel to the direction of actuation. The additional fringing fields provide for increased electromotive force for a given input voltage.

Abstract: A laser scanner includes an optical source emitting a laser beam; and an optical deflector deflecting the laser beam emitted from the optical source to scan an object with the laser beam deflected thereby, wherein the optical deflector includes a reflecting mirror; a motor rotating the reflecting mirror around an axis of the mirror: a first member fixed on a shaft of the motor, rotating with the shaft and a second member fixed on the axis of the mirror, engaging with the first member when the shaft rotates to rotate with the axis of the mirror.

Abstract: Methods and systems for splitting an initiated signal are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a transmitter configured to selectively transmit an initiated signal, and a signal splitter in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively split the initiated signal into a plurality of recipient signals for a plurality of recipient lines in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively modify a number of recipient signals, e.g., by adjusting a spot size of the initiated signal on the signal splitter.

Abstract: A beam control apparatus for an illumination beam includes an imaging illumination optical unit assembly for imaging an intermediate focus of the illumination beam onto an object field to be illuminated. A control component that influences a beam path of the illumination beam is displaceable in at least one degree of freedom by at least one displacement actuator. A position sensor device of the beam control apparatus detects a position of the intermediate focus. A control device of the beam control apparatus is signal-connected to the position sensor device and the displacement actuator. From an intermediate focus position signal received from the position sensor device, the control device calculates control signals for the displacement actuator and forwards the latter to the displacement actuator for controlling the position of the intermediate focus. This results in a beam control apparatus which makes well-controllable illumination possible together with a simple construction.

Abstract: MEMS and fabrication techniques for positioning the center of mass of released structures in MEMS are provided. A MEMS device includes a substrate and a released structure connected to the substrate via a flexure. The released structure includes a frame rotatable with respect to the substrate, and an elongate first member having a longitudinal axis extending perpendicularly from an undersurface of the frame and a free end remote from the frame. A recess is formed in an end face of the free end. The recess has a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first member and a transverse area smaller than an area of the end face.

Abstract: A method and system for zonal switching for light steering to produce an image having high dynamic range is described. The system comprises: a light source for providing light along an optical path; a spatial light modulator for directing portions of the light to off-state and on-state light paths, thereby producing an image, the spatial light modulator having a plurality of illumination zones corresponding to the image; and a set of sequentially-arranged optical elements in the optical path for steering at least some of the light from a first subset of the plurality of illumination zones to a second subset of the plurality of illumination zones to increase the dynamic range of the image. The dwell time of the one or more sequentially arranged optical elements can be modified to steer light.

Abstract: A beam director includes first and second refractive elements, a reflective surface, and a platform. The reflective surface and the second refractive element are mechanically and optically coupled, and the first refractive element is optically coupled to the second refractive element through the reflective surface. The platform is configured to rotate the reflective surface and the second refractive surface about the optical axis of the first refractive element while maintaining the optical couplings.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display device includes a first light source, a light beam deviating device, a first light modulator, a lens, and an optical module. The first light source is configured for providing a first light beam. The light beam deviating device is configured for deviating the first light beam propagated from the first light source to different directions in sequence. The first light modulator is configured for modulating the first light beam into a plurality of first image light beams in sequence. The optical module is configured for guiding the first light beam propagated from the light beam deviating device to the first light modulator, and guiding the first image light beams to the lens.

Abstract: Optical switch for adjustable deflection of a light beam from the direction of an input point in the direction of one of several output points. The optical switch includes a switching mirror sensitive to changes in environmental conditions, such as temperature fluctuations. Also included is a rotatable capturing mirror, two beam splitters, and two spatially-resolving detectors. Both mirrors can be rotated around respective axes. A front beam splitter for the partial coupling of the light beam at the front detector that is optically positioned between the capturing minor and the switching mirror, while the back beam splitter for the partial decoupling of the light beam at the back detector is arranged optically between the switching mirror and each of the output positions. A control unit is adapted to control the drive of the switching mirror on the basis of a signal from the back detector.

Abstract: A MEMS apparatus is provided for scanning an optical beam. The MEMS apparatus is formed out of a pre-fabricated multi-layer device and comprises at least one tilting micro-mirror formed in a first active layer of that pre-fabricated multi-layer device and a support structure formed in a second layer of the pre-fabricated multi-layer device, and wherein the support structure is preferably formed by etching parts of the second layer to obtain a pre-determined shape of the supporting structure.

Abstract: A micromechanical mirror arrangement comprising a mirror plate (1) which forms a translation mirror, which is connected via at least one holding element (2), preferably two or more holding elements, to a frame structure (3) and is movable in translation relative to this frame structure, characterized in that the connection region (4) of at least one holding element (2), preferably of all holding elements, with the mirror plate (1) is arranged inwardly offset, viewed from the outer margin (5) of the mirror plate toward to the center (6) of the mirror plate.

Abstract: A tunable tilting device is described. The device includes a tilting element and a suspension structure that has one or more flexures coupled to the tilting element. The suspension structure has a variable bending stiffness and configured to bend due to a tilting motion of the tilting element around a pivot axis. The suspension structure is responsive to a tuning force actuating a variation of an extension stress or a compression stress of the suspension structure, and thereby can vary the bending stiffness of the suspension structure.

Abstract: A method and system for zonal switching for light steering to produce an image having high dynamic range is described. The system comprises: a light source for providing light along an optical path; a spatial light modulator for directing portions of the light to off-state and on-state light paths, thereby producing an image, the spatial light modulator having a plurality of illumination zones corresponding to the image; and a set of sequentially-arranged optical elements in the optical path for steering at least some of the light from a first subset of the plurality of illumination zones to a second subset of the plurality of illumination zones to increase the dynamic range of the image. The dwell time of the one or more sequentially arranged optical elements can be modified to steer light.

Abstract: A coude gimbal structure includes a two-axis gimbal system having an outer gimbal pivotable about a first rotational axis, and an inner gimbal supported on the outer gimbal and pivotable about a second rotational axis which intersects the first rotational axis at an intersection point. A folded afocal three-mirror anastigmat has a positive-optical-power primary mirror, a negative-optical-power secondary mirror, and a positive-optical-power tertiary mirror, and a first flat fold mirror, and a second flat fold mirror. A beam path incident upon the primary mirror is reflected from the primary mirror to the secondary mirror. The tertiary mirror lies on the second rotational axis, the first flat fold mirror redirects the beam path reflected from the secondary mirror to the tertiary mirror, and the second flat fold mirror lies at the intersection point and redirects the beam path reflected from the tertiary mirror along the first rotational axis.

Abstract: A transparent screen includes a microlens array. The microlens array includes microlenses that are individually rotated to reflect a projected image to a common eyebox. The microlenses may have a dichroic coating to reflect narrowband light. An automotive windshield may include an embedded microlens array as part of a head up display. Eyewear includes an eyepiece with a rotated microlens array and a projector to project content on the microlens array.

Abstract: A laser scanner apparatus with an electromagnetic radiation source configured to transmit a laser beam having a beam path. A cylindrical element is provided with an electromagnetically reflective surface. The laser source is configured so the beam is incident on the reflective surface at a predetermined incident angle. The cylindrical element is configured to be driven to rotate at a predetermined rotation rate about an offset longitudinal axis whereby the beam path of the incident beam is varied so as to scan a scene of interest.

Abstract: An endoscope optical system includes a negative lens that focuses light entering along an incident optical axis, a first prism that deflects and emits the light from the negative lens along a first axis substantially orthogonal to the incident optical axis, a second prism having a first reflecting surface, which deflects the light from the first prism along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis, and a second reflecting surface that deflects and emits the light substantially parallel to the first axis and that faces the first prism, a third prism that deflects the light from the second prism substantially parallel to the incident optical axis, and a positive lens that focuses the light from the second prism, in this order from an object side, the negative lens and the first prism being rotatable about the first axis relative to the second prism.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system may include a base member rotatable about a rotation axis and a plurality of mirrors disposed on an outer surface of the base member along a perimeter of the base member. The mirrors may be oriented at a predetermined angle. The illumination system also includes at least two illumination sources. Each of the mirrors of the first plurality of mirrors is configured to receive radiation from the first illumination source at a first portion of each mirror at a first time. The mirror is configured to reflect the radiation to an optical path. Each of the mirrors is further configured to receive radiation from the second illumination source at a second portion of the mirror at a second time. The mirrors reflect the radiation from the second illumination source to the common optical path.

Abstract: A laser scanner includes an optical source emitting a laser beam; and an optical deflector deflecting the laser beam emitted from the optical source to scan an object with the laser beam deflected thereby, wherein the optical deflector includes a reflecting mirror; a motor rotating the reflecting mirror around an axis of the mirror: a first member fixed on a shaft of the motor, rotating with the shaft and a second member fixed on the axis of the mirror, engaging with the first member when the shaft rotates to rotate with the axis of the mirror.

Abstract: The invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure for the detection of submillimeter electromagnetic waves and systems and methods incorporating spatially-selective reflective structures. One aspect of the invention provides a spatially-selective reflective structure including a partially-conducting slab and a modulating reflector disk adjacent to the partially-conducting slab. The modulating reflector disk includes a plurality of modulations. Another aspect of the invention provides a submillimeter imaging device including submillimeter wave optics, a spatially-selective reflective structure located in the focal plane of the submillimeter wave optics, a submillimeter wave receiver positioned to capture waves reflected from the spatially-selective reflective structure, and a motor configured to rotate the spatially-selective reflective structure.

Abstract: An optical module for irradiation of laser beams includes a mirror mount, a rotation shaft coupled to a center of the mirror mount, a vibration member coupled to one end of the mirror mount and the vibration member vibrating the end of the mirror mount in front-and-rear directions, a mirror fixed to the mirror mount and the mirror irradiating laser beams by performing reciprocal rotational motion with the mirror mount with respect to the rotation shaft, and a weight arranged on at least one of a first side and a second side of the mirror mount. The weight is interposed between the rotation shaft and the at least one of the first side and the second side to compensate concentricity of the mirror.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes: a movable portion that includes a base portion and a light reflecting plate which is fixed to the base portion and includes a light reflecting portion with a light reflecting property and is rotatable about the Y-axis; a frame portion that is provided so as to surround the base portion and is rotatable about the X-axis perpendicular to the Y-axis; a shaft portion that supports the movable portion so as to be rotatable about the Y-axis with respect to the frame portion; and a permanent magnet that is provided in the frame portion. The light reflecting plate is provided such that it is separated from the shaft portion in a thickness direction and overlaps the shaft portion, as viewed from the thickness direction. The permanent magnet is fixed to a surface of the frame portion close to the light reflecting plate.

Abstract: An optical scanner is an optical device including a base portion that is rotatable about the Y-axis, a frame portion that is rotatable about the X-axis intersecting the Y-axis, and a shaft portion that supports the base portion so as to be rotatable about the Y-axis with respect to the frame portion. The optical scanner includes a light reflecting plate that is fixed to the base portion and includes a light reflecting portion with a light reflecting property. The frame portion is provided so as to surround the base portion. The shaft portion includes one end connected to the base portion and the other end connected to the frame portion. The light reflecting plate is separated from the shaft portion in the thickness direction of the light reflecting plate and overlaps the shaft portion, as viewed from the thickness direction.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus includes: a light source configured to emit a light beam; a deflector configured to deflect and scan the light beam from the light source in a main scanning direction; a control substrate that is configured to control driving of the light source and includes a first connection part to which the light source is connected and a second connection part for connecting an external terminal; and a housing that supports the control substrate. The first connection part is arranged within the housing and the second connection part is exposed and arranged at the outside of the housing.

Abstract: A method for processing workpieces includes performing a laser processing operation in which a laser beam is directed at a first mirror face and at a second mirror face of a redirecting mirror. The second mirror face is at least partially surrounded by the first mirror face. During the laser processing operation, the second mirror face performs a pendulum movement relative to the first mirror face.

Abstract: An optical box for an optical scanner includes an optical housing and a lid. The optical housing has an opening and a side wall surrounding the opening. The side wall includes inward recessed parts, each of which has a protrusion formed on its outer side. The protrusion can engage with the lid. The lid can so engage with the optical housing as to cover the opening of the housing. The lid has a pair of dust guard walls, between which the whole side wall of the optical housing is sandwiched when the lid is in engagement with the housing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide a method for an optical switch and an optical switch. The optical switch includes a light turning unit, configured to turn a plurality of light beams, where the light turning unit includes a plurality of MEMs grating beams, the plurality of light beams falls on the plurality of MEMs grating beams to form a plurality of light spots, one light spot falls on at least two MEMs grating beams, one grating beam bears a part of one light spot, and at least two MEMs grating beams in the plurality of MEMs grating beams are rotated in turn in batches, to reflect at least a part of a light spot to at least one preset emergent path.

Abstract: An optical beam scanner includes a light source, an optical scanner configured to scan a light beam irradiated from the light source, and an input optical system configured to direct the light beam irradiated from the light source to the optical scanner, wherein the optical scanner includes a rotating mirror configured to rotate around a rotational axis and reflect the light beam irradiated from the light source; the rotating mirror is rotated around the rotational axis so that the light beam is irradiated on differing positions of a mirror surface of the rotating mirror; and the mirror surface of the rotating mirror has a mirror surface inclining angle with respect to a direction parallel to the rotational axis that is arranged to gradually increase from a first side to a second side of the rotating mirror in a direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis.

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus includes: a light source; a light deflector configured to deflect the light beam from the light source in a main scanning direction; an incident optical system disposed between the light source and the light deflector and configured to render the light beam from the light source nearly parallel in the main scanning direction and to converge the light beam in a sub-scanning direction to bring the light beam to a focus in proximity to the light deflector; and a scanning lens configured to focus the light beam deflected by the light deflector onto a target surface to form spot-like images. The incident optical system includes one or more lenses which provide at least one refracting surface and at least one diffraction surface, and ?nS/?ds<0 is satisfied, where ?nS is a refractive power in the sub-scanning direction and ?dS is a diffraction power in the sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: A system for varying a delay of an optical beam has a rotatable wheel and a set of one or more prisms mounted about a circumference of the rotatable wheel. The set of one or more prisms are positioned to retroreflect the optical beam that passes approximately tangent to the rotatable wheel to cause a delay or phase shift to the beam as the rotatable wheel rotates.

Abstract: An endoscope optical system includes a negative lens that focuses light entering along an incident optical axis, a first prism that deflects and emits the light from the negative lens along a first axis substantially orthogonal to the incident optical axis, a second prism having a first reflecting surface, which deflects the light from the first prism along a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis and a second reflecting surface that deflects and emits the light, substantially parallel to the first axis and that faces the first prism, a third prism that deflects the light from the second prism substantially parallel to the incident optical axis, and a positive lens that focuses the light from the second prism, in this order from an object side, the negative lens and the first prism being rotatable about the first axis relative to the second prism.

Abstract: An electromechanical tilting device including a first and a second electrode structures, shaped, positioned and oriented to define at least partially interdigitated electrodes, and a suspension defining a tilt-containing motion path for the second structure with respect to the first structure. The motion path is selected to cause changes in overlapping regions and overlapping regions' gaps of the interdigitated electrodes. The device is configured such that an increase in one or more voltage bias applied to interdigitated driving electrodes makes a decrease in a total area of overlapping regions of the driving electrodes electrically energetically favorable.

Abstract: A true time delay system and method for an optical carrier signal modulated with a microwave signal. The system includes a beam deflector, with the optical signal being imaged onto the beam deflector, a stationary reflective diffractive grating arranged in a Littrow configuration, a focusing element arranged between the beam deflector and the stationary reflective diffractive grating. In operation, the beam deflector steers the optical beam across the clear aperture of the focusing element and the focusing element transmits the steered beam to the reflective diffractive grating. A change in optical path length experienced by the optical beam as the beam is scanned across the grating surface results in a relative phase delay in the optical beam. The beam deflector can be a rotating mirror, an acousto-optic beam deflector, or an electro-optic beam deflector. The focusing element can be a lens or a curved mirror.

Abstract: An assembly for distributing laser energy is provided that is formed using a compact rigid housing with a sealed beam path contained therein. The assembly employs a monolithic housing with modular collimator and mirror switching components installed therein to reduce its size while maintaining a sealed beam path thereby reducing the possibility of contamination of the beam path. Other than the optics and mirror, there are no elements of the distribution device contained within the beam path. In one embodiment, the assembly distributes incoming energy from a single source to one or more outputs. In another embodiment, the assembly operates as a beam combiner to direct energy from one or more sources to a single output.

Abstract: An optical pattern generator uses reflection from multiple (e.g., two) internal mirror surfaces mounted on a rotating support structure.

Abstract: An optical path control device is provided, including a fixed reflective mirror fixed on a first position at a fixed angle for an incident light to be reflected thereon, and a rotatable reflective mirror driven by a driving device and rotated on a fixed axle. A surface of the rotatable reflective mirror is perpendicular to the fixed axle. The axle is disposed at a second position so that a rotating path of the rotatable reflective mirror passes through the incident light reflected on the fixed reflective mirror. A normal line of an incident point of the rotatable reflective mirror where the incident light enters, and a normal line of an incident point of the fixed reflective mirror where the incident light enters generates a predetermined included angle.

Abstract: An optical device includes a base made of silicon and including a movable portion provided with a light reflecting portion having light reflectivity and capable of oscillating around a oscillation axis, at least one connection portion that extends from the movable portion, and a support portion that supports the connection portion, and a stray light suppression layer provided on a surface of the base and having a function of suppressing light reflection. In a plan view in which the base is viewed in a thickness direction thereof, the stray light suppression layer is provided on portions other than an edge of the connection portion, an edge that connects an edge of the movable portion to the edge of the connection portion, and an edge that connects an edge of the support portion to the edge of the connection portion.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a mechanical device for inserting one out of a multitude of optical components (such as filters) in an optical path and changing the angle of incidence between the incoming light and the selected optical component independently of the optical component selection.

Abstract: A laser-based workpiece processing system includes sensors connected to a sensor controller that converts sensor signals into focused spot motion commands for actuating a beam steering device, such as a two-axis steering mirror. The sensors may include a beam position sensor for correcting errors detected in the optical path, such as thermally-induced beam wandering in response to laser or acousto-optic modulator pointing stability, or optical mount dynamics.

Abstract: An optical device is provided for projecting a light beam. The device comprises a first planar reflector movable about a first axis is disposed in a path of a focused light beam for deflecting the incident light beam; a concave reflective surface fixed in position located in the path of the deflected light beam, has a circular shape extending along at least one of its axis and is spaced apart from the planar reflector by a distance which is approximately equal to the radius of that circular shape; and a second planar reflector moveable about a second axis located in a plane substantially vertical to a plane comprising the first axis and wherein the second planar reflector is positioned in the path of the light reflected by the concave reflective surface such that the light beam is projected onto a target plane with a substantially flat field of focus.

Abstract: A micro-mirror array including a plurality of micro-mirror elements and each of the micro-mirror elements includes a mirror rotating around two axes and a support unit connected to an outer frame and supporting the mirror. The support unit extends between the mirror of the micro-mirror elements including the support unit and one of two mirrors adjacent to the mirror, and both ends of the support unit are connected to the outer frame.