Abstract: A Fabry-Perot interference filter includes a substrate that has a first surface, a first laminate that has a first mirror portion, a second laminate that has a second mirror portion facing the first mirror portion via a gap, an intermediate layer that defines the gap between the first laminate and the second laminate, and a first terminal. The intermediate layer has a first inner surface surrounding the first terminal. The first inner surface is curved such that an edge portion of the intermediate layer on the substrate side is positioned on the first terminal side relative to an edge portion of the intermediate layer on a side opposite to the substrate.

Abstract: An actuator apparatus includes a pair of substrates facing each other; a plurality of bias actuators that each vary a gap dimension of a gap between the pair of substrates; a gap detection portion that detects the gap dimension; and a voltage control unit that controls driving of each of the bias actuators on the basis of the detected gap dimension. The bias actuators are located asymmetric relative to a driving central axis and are mutually independently driven; and the voltage control unit derives driving parameters for use in driving the bias actuators, on the basis of voltages and gap dimensions obtained by sequentially switching and driving the bias actuators on by one.

Abstract: A test fixture for holding and testing portions of an optical device, such as a plurality of cameras of an eyewear device. The test fixture includes a relay lens such that the fixture can be positioned close to a test screen displaying a patterned test image and reducing the size and cost of parts. The test fixture includes one or more lasers configured to easily and quickly align the test fixture. The test fixture includes an actuator for selectively positioning the cameras behind the relay lens to check for image quality.

Abstract: A spectroscopic apparatus includes: a spectroscopic module; a temperature detector that detects a temperature of the spectroscopic module; and a module controller that controls the spectroscopic module, in which the spectroscopic module includes an interference filter that has a gap changing unit which changes a dimension of a gap between a pair of reflection films, and a capacity detection circuit that outputs a detection signal in accordance with an electrostatic capacity between the pair of reflection films, and in which the module controller corrects a target value of the detection signal that is output from the capacity detection circuit, based on a temperature characteristic of the spectroscopic module and a detection temperature that is detected by the temperature detector, and controls the voltage that is to be applied to the gap changing unit, that the detection signal that is output from the capacity detection circuit is the corrected target value.

Abstract: A touch panel, a touch detection method thereof, and a display device are provided. The touch panel includes an electrowetting substrate and a touch substrate which are disposed opposite to each other and a conductive fluid drop disposed between the electrowetting substrate and the touch substrate. The electrowetting substrate includes a first base substrate, a control electrode, and a first insulating layer; the conductive fluid drop is disposed at a side of the first insulating layer away from the control electrode, and corresponds to the control electrode; the touch substrate includes a second base substrate and a touch electrode unit disposed at a side of the second base substrate close to the electrowetting substrate; the touch electrode unit and the conductive fluid drop are disposed opposite to each other.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide an optical transmission/reception device, an optical communication system, an optical communication method, and a program which are capable of securing the confidentiality of information included in an optical signal even when the optical signal is transferred to a device that is not an original transmission destination device.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to apparatuses, systems, and methods for blocking, attenuating, or filtering neuroactive wavelengths of the visible light spectrum and reducing or preventing the symptoms affiliated with exposure to those wavelengths. Nanoparticles of a predetermined composition, size, and structure are dispersed in a host medium to create an optical notch filter, thereby attenuating only a narrow range of the visible spectrum.

Abstract: A Fabry Perot resonator spacer is provided. The Fabry Perot resonator spaced includes a tetrahedral body, the tetrahedral body being made of a material having a Poisson ratio and defining a plurality of triangular faces, a plurality of edges, and a plurality of corners, wherein each one of the plurality of corners is truncated to form a mounting surface in a mounting plane. The spacer further includes a first mirror channel configured to receive a first optical element, a second mirror channel configured to receive a second optical element, and an optical cavity extending linearly through the tetrahedral body between the first mirror channel and the second mirror channel.

Abstract: A real-time variable parameter micro-nano optical field modulation system includes a light source, a 4F optical system and a set of light wave modulation optical components. The 4F optical system includes a first optical assembly and a second optical assembly arranged along an optical path in sequence. The light wave modulation optical components are arranged between the first optical assembly and the second optical assembly, and generate optical field distribution with adjustable patterns and structural parameters thereof on a back focal plane of the system by segmented modulation of sub-wavefronts.

Abstract: Assemblies include a micronode having an optical connector, a coaxial connector port and a housing that includes a plurality of mounting bores. The assembly further includes a filter having a housing that underlies the micronode housing, the filter housing including a plurality of mounting bores, the mounting bores of the filter housing aligning with the mounting bores of the micronode housing. The filter further includes a first optical connector configured to receive an optical drop cable, a second optical connector configured to receive an optical cable and an optical pigtail cord that is connected to the optical connector of the micronode.

Abstract: An optical filter includes: a first variable wavelength bandpass filter that can extract light of a first wavelength band (400 to 460 nm), the first wavelength band having a first spectral band having a central wavelength equal to a first wavelength in the first wavelength band and a second spectral band having a central wavelength equal to a second wavelength in the first wavelength band; and a second variable wavelength bandpass filter that can extract light of a second wavelength band (480 to 540 nm) adjacent to the first wavelength band, the second wavelength band having a third spectral band having a central wavelength equal to a third wavelength in the second wavelength band and a fourth spectral band having a central wavelength equal to a fourth wavelength in the second wavelength band.

Abstract: An optical or optoelectronic receiver and module, and methods of making and using the same, are disclosed. The receiver includes a photodetector, a first microelectromechanical device configured to reflect a multi-wavelength optical signal, a thin film filter configured to receive the multi-wavelength optical signal reflected by the first microelectromechanical device and separate a single-wavelength optical signal from the multi-wavelength optical signal, a first lens configured to focus the single-wavelength optical signal on the photodetector, and a second microelectromechanical device configured to reflect the single-wavelength optical signal towards the first lens. Each wavelength of the multi-wavelength optical signal represents or corresponds to a unique channel over which the receiver receives optical signals. The present receiver and methods enable low-cost, high-volume manufacturing of multi-channel optical or optoelectronic receivers.

Abstract: A photometric device (1) measuring light emitted from a measuring object such as a display (2) includes two types of filters including interference filters (20X, 20Y, and 20Z) and an LVF (21), a disk (22) supporting the interference filters and the LVF, a motor (23) rotatably drive the disk to cause the light emitted from the measuring object to scan the interference filters and the LVF sequentially, a photoreceptor (13) converting light passed through the interference filters and light passed through the LVF to an electrical signal, a photometric controller (14) outputting photometric information based on the electrical signal of the light passed through the interference filters and converted by the photoreceptor and the electrical signal of the light passed through the LVF and converted by the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A photometric device (1) measuring light emitted from a measuring object such as a display (2) includes interference filters (20X, 20Y, and 20Z) selectively transmitting a particular wavelength corresponding to a respective one of tristimulus values, an LVF (21) separating and transmitting incident light, a disk (22) supporting the interference filters and the LVF, a motor (23) rotatably drive the disk to cause the light emitted from the measuring object to scan the interference filters and the LVF sequentially, a photoreceptor (13) converting light passed through the interference filters and light passed through the LVF to an electrical signal, and a photometric controller (14) outputting photometric information based on the electrical signal of the light passed through the interference filters and converted by the photoreceptor and the electrical signal of the light passed through the LVF and converted by the photoreceptor.

Abstract: An optical relay device is provided which is capable of outputting control signal light without equipping a light source for the control signal light and capable of flexibly managing and changing a wavelength of the control signal light in accordance with a state of a network. The optical relay device includes an optical receiving unit that receives a wavelength multiplexed optical signal, a control unit that specifies a first wavelength and outputting notification information, and a processing unit that selects an optical signal having the first wavelength from the received wavelength multiplexed optical signal, applying intensity-modulation in accordance with the notification information to the selected optical signal, adding the intensity-modulated optical signal back to the wavelength multiplexed optical signal, and outputting the wavelength multiplexed optical signal.

Abstract: A Fabry-Perot tunable filter comprises a membrane device. The membrane device includes a support structure having an optical port. Also, the membrane device has an optical membrane structure separated from the support structure over the optical port. The optical membrane structure includes a center body portion and an outer body portion. Tethers extend radially from the center body portion to the outer body portion of the optical membrane structure. The center body portion has an area that is about equal or smaller than the area of the optical port.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated device, comprising: a package defining an internal space and having an acoustic-access opening in acoustic communication with an environment external to the package; a MEMS acoustic transducer, housed in the internal space and provided with an acoustic chamber facing the acoustic-access opening; and a filtering module, which is designed to inhibit passage of contaminating particles having dimensions larger than a filtering dimension and is set between the MEMS acoustic transducer and the acoustic-access opening. The filtering module defines at least one direct acoustic path between the acoustic-access opening and the acoustic chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an optical article comprising: (a) a photochromic substrate comprising at least one photochromic dye, and (b) an interference coating having a specific gradient thickness providing for a gradient reflectance. It also pertains to a process for making such an optical article.

Abstract: An optical filter device includes an interference filter and a housing. The interference filter includes a fixed substrate, a movable substrate joined to the fixed substrate, a fixed reflective film provided on the fixed substrate, and a movable reflective film provided on the movable substrate and opposed to the fixed reflective film across an inter-reflective film gap. The housing includes a base substrate on which the interference filter is arranged. A fixing member is arranged between the movable substrate and the base substrate. The movable substrate is fixed to the base substrate by the fixing member in one place excluding a region where the movable reflective film is provided.

Abstract: An optical filter device has a light interference filter and a casing. The light interference filter has a fixed substrate, a movable substrate joined to the fixed substrate, a fixed reflection film provided on the fixed substrate, and a movable reflection film provided on the movable substrate. The casing has a base substrate and a lid that forms an internal space with the base substrate. The movable substrate has a holding portion provided on a surface opposite to the fixed substrate, outside a light interference region, as viewed in a plan view. The base substrate has a light transmission hole corresponding to a light transmission region. An outer peripheral edge of the light transmission hole faces the holding portion. The surface opposite to the fixed substrate of the movable substrate is joined to the base substrate.

Abstract: An optical filter includes first and second substrates, first and second mirrors, and first and second electrodes. The first substrate has a flat surface. The second substrate includes a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, the second surface surrounding the first surface in a plan view, the third surface surrounding the second surface in a plan view, a height of the first surface above the second surface being lower than a height of the third surface above the second surface, the first surface and the second surface facing the flat surface of the first substrate. The first mirror is disposed on the flat surface of the first substrate. The second mirror is disposed on the first surface of the second substrate, the second mirror facing the first mirror. The first electrode is disposed on the flat surface of the first substrate. The second electrode is disposed on the second surface of the second substrate, the second electrode facing the first electrode.

Abstract: A filter includes a fixed substrate, a movable substrate opposed to the fixed substrate, a first reflection film provided on a surface of the fixed substrate facing the movable substrate, a second reflection film provided on the movable substrate and opposed to the first reflection film across a gap, a first electrode provided on the surface of the fixed substrate facing the movable substrate, a second electrode provided on the movable substrate and opposed to the first electrode, bonding parts provided on opposing surfaces of the fixed and movable substrates and bonding the fixed substrate to the movable substrate, and a groove part provided in at least one of the opposing surfaces, and the gap is in communication with an exterior of the filter via the groove part.

Abstract: A wavelength variable interference filter includes a fixed substrate, a movable substrate, a fixed reflective film provided on the fixed substrate, a movable reflection film provided on the movable substrate and opposed to the fixed reflective film via an inter-reflective film gap, a fixed electrode provided on the fixed substrate, a movable electrode provided on the movable substrate and opposed to the fixed electrode via an inter-electrode gap, a fixed charging preventing electrode provided along the outer circumferential edge of the fixed electrode and in non-contact with the fixed electrode and grounded, and a movable charging preventing electrode provided along the outer circumferential edge of the movable electrode and in non-contact with the movable electrode and grounded.

Abstract: An interference filter is fixed with respect to a base substrate by a fixing member which is disposed on one portion which is on the outer side of a filter region. Accordingly, since the periphery end of the interference filter, other than a portion (end portion) in which the fixing member is disposed, becomes a floated state (free end), it is possible to suppress the warping of the interference filter even when there is the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion with the base substrate. Further, spacer portions which are lower than the height of the fixing member are formed outside the filter region and on the portion separated from the fixing member. At the time of the impact, since the spacer portions come in contact with the base substrate to function as stoppers, it is possible to suppress occurrence of peeling-off or cracks on the fixing member.

Abstract: A variable wavelength interference filter includes a stationary substrate provided with a stationary reflecting film, a movable substrate provided with a movable reflecting film, a first electrostatic actuator, and a second electrostatic actuator which can be driven independently of the first electrostatic actuator, two first partial actuators constituting the first electrostatic actuator have the same shape as each other in the plan view, and are arranged at regular angular intervals and with the same distance with respect to the filter center point, and two second partial actuators constituting the second electrostatic actuator have the same shape as each other in the plan view, and are arranged at regular angular intervals and with the same distance with respect to the filter center point.

Abstract: A method for producing a mirror plate for a Fabry-Perot interferometer includes providing a base slab, which includes a substrate coated with a reflective multilayer coating, forming one or more intermediate layers on the base slab such that the lowermost intermediate layer substantially consists of silica, and such that the multilayer coating is at least partially covered by the lowermost intermediate layer, forming one or more capacitive sensor electrodes by depositing conductive material on top of the intermediate layers, and removing material of the lowermost intermediate layer by etching in order to form an exposed aperture portion of the multilayer coating.

Abstract: A spectroscopic measurement apparatus includes: a wavelength tunable interference filter including a fixed substrate having a fixed reflection film, a movable substrate having a movable reflection film, and an electrostatic actuator that changes a gap value of an inter-reflection-film gap by applying a voltage to bend the movable substrate; a detector that detects a light level; and a controller that measures a spectral characteristic of light under measurement. The controller includes a filter driver that applies a drive voltage to the electrostatic actuator to change the inter-reflection-film gap, a detected light level acquisition unit that acquires light levels detected by the detector, and a target light level acquisition unit that acquires a light level corresponding to an oscillation center of the movable substrate as a target light level based on how the detected light level transitions and a natural oscillation cycle that the movable substrate has.

Abstract: An etalon is provided with a fixed substrate and a movable substrate opposed to the fixed substrate. The fixed substrate is provided with a first bonding surface to be bonded to the movable substrate via a bonding film and a first electrode surface on which a part of the first electrode is formed. The movable substrate is provided with a second bonding surface to be bonded to the first bonding surface via the bonding film and a second electrode surface on which a part of the second electrode is formed. In the state in which the fixed substrate and the movable substrate are bonded to each other with the bonding film, the first electrode formed on the first electrode surface and the second electrode formed on the second electrode surface have contact with each other.

Abstract: An optical filter includes a first substrate, a second substrate that is opposed to the first substrate, a first reflecting section that is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a second reflecting section that is disposed between the first reflection section and the second substrate, a first gap existing between the first reflecting section and the second reflecting section, a first electrode that is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a second electrode that is disposed between the first electrode and the second substrate, a second gap existing between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a third electrode that is disposed between the first substrate and the second electrode. The second gap is larger than the first gap.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to refractive polarization converters, polarized color combiners using the refractive polarization converters, and in particular polarized color combiners using the refractive polarization converters that can be useful in small size format projectors such as pocket projectors. The disclosed refractive polarization converters include at least one birefringent prism that can separate an unpolarized light beam into divergent polarized light beams having orthogonal polarization directions.

Abstract: A nanocoaxial sensor includes an outer conductor, an inner conductor, a dielectric material disposed between the outer and inner conductors, a nanocavity sized to allow target species to enter the nanocavity between the outer and inner conductors, and an active sensing element immobilized within the nanocavity on at least one of the inner or outer conductors. The active sensing element is adapted to selectively capture the at least one of the target species.

Abstract: An optical filter device includes a variable wavelength interference filter having a pair of reflecting films opposed to each other, and an electrostatic actuator adapted to change a gap dimension between the pair of reflecting films, and at least one bandpass filter disposed on an optical axis of the pair of reflecting films, and the bandpass filter includes a plurality of transmission wavelength bands in which light is transmitted.

Abstract: An optical filter includes: a first substrate; a second substrate opposed to the first substrate; a first reflecting film provided to the first substrate; a second reflecting film provided to the second substrate and opposed to the first reflecting film; a first electrode provided to the first substrate in a peripheral area of the first reflecting film; a second electrode provided to the first substrate in a peripheral area of the first electrode; a third electrode provided to the second substrate and opposed to the first electrode; and a fourth electrode provided to the second substrate and opposed to the second electrode.

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a first control electrode and a second control electrode between which a mechanical shutter is put, and a first control voltage application circuit for inputting a first control voltage to the first control electrode according to an image signal. The first control voltage application circuit includes an input transistor, a retaining capacitor and a first transistor. One of current terminals of the input transistor is connected to a signal line. A gate of the input transistor is connected to a scanning line. One terminal of the retaining capacitor is input with a capacitor control signal and the other terminal is connected to the input transistor. The first transistor has a gate connected to the retaining capacitor and two current terminals, one of which is connected to a first control electrode and the other of which is input with a first control signal.

Abstract: A wavelength variable interference filter includes: a first movable mirror disposed on a first substrate; a second movable mirror disposed so as to be opposed to the first movable mirror with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween; and an electrostatic actuator which varies the length of the gap between the mirrors. The first substrate has a first movable portion on which the first movable mirror is disposed, and a first linkage portion which holds the first movable portion in such a manner that the first movable portion can shift in the thickness direction of the substrate. The second substrate has a second movable portion on which the second movable mirror is disposed, and a second linkage portion which holds the second movable portion in such a manner that the second movable portion can shift in the thickness direction of the substrate.

Abstract: An optical module (colorimetry sensor) includes an interference filter, and a transparent substrate to which a first substrate of the interference filter is fixed, having a second thermal expansion coefficient which has a value different from a first thermal expansion coefficient. The interference filter is fixed to the transparent substrate through an adhesive layer made of gel-like resin, and the adhesive layer alleviates stress generated due to a difference in the thermal expansion coefficients between the interference filter and the transparent substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing spectroscopy incorporates, between an EM source and a detector, an optical filter comprising a pair of mirrors opposed along the optical axis and shaped to provide an optical cavity with stable resonance and having a cavity length of at most 50 ?m and a mode at a wavelength within said band of wavelengths for bandpass filtering EM radiation passing therethrough. The actuator system is arranged to move the mirrors relative to each other along the length of the optical cavity for tuning the wavelength of said mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a tunable absorption-emission band in a wavelength selective device are disclosed. A device for selectively absorbing incident electromagnetic radiation includes an electrically conductive surface layer including an arrangement of multiple surface elements. The surface layer is disposed at a nonzero height above a continuous electrically conductive layer. An electrically isolating intermediate layer defines a first surface that is in communication with the electrically conductive surface layer. The continuous electrically conductive backing layer is provided in communication with a second surface of the electrically isolating intermediate layer. When combined with an infrared source, the wavelength selective device emits infrared radiation in at least one narrow band determined by a resonance of the device. In some embodiments, the device includes a control feature that allows the resonance to be selectively modified.

Abstract: A variable wavelength interference filter includes a stationary reflecting film formed of a plurality of layers, an outermost layer of which is a stationary conductive layer, and a movable reflecting film, the stationary reflecting film includes a first region opposed to the movable reflecting film and a second region continuing from an outer circumferential edge of the first region to an outside of the first region, and a part of the stationary conductive layer in the second region is a terminal section to which wiring connection can be performed.

Abstract: An optical filter device includes a wavelength variable interference filter, a housing that stores the wavelength variable interference filter, and a bonding member that fixes a movable substrate to the housing. The housing includes a fixing portion that comes into contact with the bonding member, the fixing portion includes a pedestal fixing surface (first surface) facing a portion of a surface of the movable substrate, a sidewall fixing surface (second surface), continuous with a portion of a periphery of the pedestal fixing surface, which faces a lateral side of the movable substrate, and an intersection surface (third surface) continuous from a remaining portion in a periphery of the pedestal fixing surface in a direction away from the movable substrate, and the bonding member is provided between the substrate surface and the pedestal fixing surface, and between the lateral side and the sidewall fixing surface.

Abstract: A variable wavelength interference filter includes a stationary substrate, a stationary reflecting film disposed on the entire surface of the stationary substrate opposed to a movable substrate, and formed of a multilayer film, a movable reflecting film opposed to the stationary reflecting film, and a first mirror electrode disposed on the stationary reflecting film.

Abstract: An actuator drive system includes electrostatic actuators and a voltage controller that applies drive voltages to the electrostatic actuators, and the voltage controller includes a digital control device that splits an 8-bit drive variable corresponding to an overall displacement amount provided by the electrostatic actuators into 4-bit individual drive variables, a first DAC that produces a first drive voltage signal based on a first individual drive variable, and a second DAC that produces a second drive voltage signal based on a second individual drive variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to controllable Fabry-Perot interferometers which are produced with micromechanical (MEMS) technology. Micromechanical interferometers of the prior art have a disadvantage of significantly attenuating infrared radiation. In the inventive solution there is a gap in at least one mirror, serving as a layer of the mirror. The other layers of the mirrors can be made of polycrystalline silicon, which has a negligible attenuation at the infrared range. It is also preferable to provide a hole or a recess in a substrate at the optical area of the interferometer.

Abstract: An optical filter includes first and second substrates, first and second mirrors, and first and second electrodes. The first substrate has a flat surface. The second substrate includes a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, the second surface surrounding the first surface in a plan view, the third surface surrounding the second surface in a plan view, a height of the first surface above the second surface being lower than a height of the third surface above the second surface, the first surface and the second surface facing the flat surface of the first substrate. The first mirror is disposed on the flat surface of the first substrate. The second mirror is disposed on the first surface of the second substrate, the second mirror facing the first mirror. The first electrode is disposed on the flat surface of the first substrate. The second electrode is disposed on the second surface of the second substrate, the second electrode facing the first electrode.

Abstract: An optical module comprising a tunable interference filter including a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a first reflective film formed on the first substrate, a second reflective film formed on the second substrate and facing the first reflective film, a gap changing unit changing a gap between the first reflective film and the second reflective film, and a driving electrode line electrically connected to the gap changing unit, a temperature sensor detecting temperature of the tunable interference filter and including a first sensor wiring and a second sensor wiring, the first sensor wiring being electrically connected to the driving electrode line, a switch electrically connected to the second sensor wiring, and a temperature detecting circuit electrically connected to the switch.

Abstract: A variable wavelength interference filter includes: a first reflective film disposed on a face of a first substrate facing a second substrate; a second reflective film disposed on a face of the second substrate facing the first substrate and the first reflective film; a first electrode disposed on the face of the first substrate; and a second electrode disposed on the face of the second substrate. The second substrate includes a movable portion on which the second reflective film is disposed and a connection maintaining portion maintaining the movable portion to be movable in a substrate thickness direction, the connection maintaining portion circumscribes the movable portion and is thinner than the movable portion, and the second electrode is disposed on a portion of the second substrate that is thicker than the connection maintaining portion.

Abstract: An optical filter device includes a wavelength tunable interference filter, a lid having a second opening, a base that forms a receiving space together with the lid, a second glass member that covers the second opening and is bonded to the lid through low melting point glass, and a metal layer provided on the lid. The metal layer is provided outside a line that is separated from the outer peripheral edge of the second glass member by a predetermined distance toward a side away from the second opening and is disposed along the outer peripheral edge of the second glass member in plan view when the lid is viewed from a normal direction with respect to the opening surface of the second opening.

Abstract: An etalon (tunable interference filter) includes a fixed substrate, a movable substrate facing the fixed substrate, a fixed reflection film disposed on the fixed substrate, a movable reflection film disposed on the movable substrate and facing the fixed reflection film via a gap, a fixed electrode disposed on the fixed substrate, and a movable electrode disposed on the movable substrate and facing the fixed electrode. A movable insulating film is stacked on a surface of the movable electrode on the side of the fixed electrode, the movable electrode has a compressive stress, and the movable insulating film has a tensile stress.

Abstract: An optical filter includes a stationary substrate and a movable substrate disposed so as to be opposed to each other, a first reflecting film disposed on a movable substrate side of the stationary substrate, a second reflecting film disposed on a stationary substrate side of the movable substrate, and opposed to the first reflecting film, a first protective film disposed so as to overlap the first reflecting film, and having a light transmissive property and electrical conductivity, a second protective film disposed so as to overlap the second reflecting film, and having a light transmissive property and electrical conductivity, a first terminal connected to the first protective film, and a second terminal connected to the second protective film. An electrical connection of the first terminal and the second terminal is electrically switchable.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of hybrid metal-dielectric optical coatings as the end reflectors of laser cavities and/or in the mirror structures used in other optical resonators, such as Fabry-Perot tunable filters, along with the use of such Fabry-Perot tunable filters in wavelength swept sources such as lasers. Hybrid metal-dielectric optical coatings have reflectivity spectra that can be broader than pure dielectric coatings, offer optical reflectivities higher than metal, as high as pure dielectric coatings, eliminate mirror transmission that can cause parasitic light reflections, and use fewer layers and thus have lower mass and higher mechanical resonant frequency for movable mirror applications An important characteristic of these coatings concerns the non-reflected light. Pure dielectric coatings offer high reflectivity, while the non-reflected portion of the light is transmitted by the coating to the substrate, for example.