Search Patents
  • Patent number: 7463420
    Abstract: This invention relates to a configurable diffractive optical element comprising an array of diffractive sub-elements having a reflective surface, wherein each sub-element has a controllable position with a chosen range, and in which a number of sub-elements are provided with a reflective grating with a number of chosen spectral characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignees: Sinvent AS, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Hakon Sagberg, Ib-Rune Johansen, Odd Lovhaugen, Olav Solgaard, Matthieu Lacolle
  • Patent number: 7286292
    Abstract: This invention relates to a configurable diffractive optical element comprising an array of diffractive sub-elements having a reflective surface, wherein each sub-element has a controllable position with a chosen range, and in which a number of sub-elements are provided with a reflective grating with a number of predetermined spectral characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignees: Sinvent AS, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: H{dot over (a)}kon Sagberg, Ib-Rune Johansen, Odd Løvhaugen, Olav Solgaard, Matthieu Lacolle
  • Patent number: 5808797
    Abstract: A modulator for modulating incident rays of light, the modulator having a plurality of equally spaced apart elements, each of which includes a light reflective planar surface. The elements are arranged parallel to each other with their light reflective surfaces parallel to each other. The modulator includes means for supporting elements in relation to one another and means for moving particular ones of the elements relative to others so that the moved elements transit between a first configuration wherein the modulator acts to reflect the incident rays of light as a plane mirror, and a second configuration wherein the modulator diffracts the light reflected therefrom. In operation, the light reflective surfaces of the elements remain parallel to each other in both the first and the second configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Silicon Light Machines
    Inventors: David M. Bloom, Francisco S. A. Sandejas, Olav Solgaard
  • Patent number: 5311360
    Abstract: A modulator for modulating an incident beam of light, the modulator comprising a plurality of equally spaced-apart elements, each of which includes a light-reflective planar surface. The elements are arranged parallel to each other with their light-reflective surfaces parallel to each other. The modulator includes means for supporting the elements in relation to one another and means for moving particular ones of the elements relative to others so that the moved elements transit between a first configuration wherein the modulator acts to reflect the incident beam of light as a plane mirror, and a second configuration wherein the modulator diffracts the light reflected therefrom. In operation the light-reflective surfaces of the elements remain parallel to each other in both the first and second configurations. The perpendicular spacing between the reflective surfaces of the respective elements is equal to m/4 .times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford, Junior University
    Inventors: David M. Bloom, Francisco S. A. Sandejas, Olav Solgaard
  • Patent number: 5677783
    Abstract: A modulator for modulating incident rays of light, the modulator comprising a plurality of equally spaced apart beam elements, each of which includes a light reflective planar surface. The elements are arranged parallel to each other with their light reflective surfaces parallel to each other. The modulator includes means for supporting the beam elements in relation to one another and means for moving the beam elements relative to one another so that the beams move between a first configuration wherein the modulator acts to reflect the incident rays of light as a plane mirror, and a second configuration wherein the modulator diffracts the incident rays of light as they are reflected therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford, Junior University
    Inventors: David M. Bloom, Francisco S. A. Sandejas, Olav Solgaard, Raj B. Apte
  • Patent number: 5459610
    Abstract: A modulator for modulating incident rays of light, the modulator comprising a plurality of equally spaced apart beam elements, each of which includes a light reflective planar surface. The elements are arranged parallel to each other with their light reflective surfaces parallel to each other. The modulator includes means for supporting the beam elements in relation to one another and means for moving the beam elements relative to one another so that the beams move between a first configuration wherein the modulator acts to reflect the incident rays of light as a plane mirror, and a second configuration wherein the modulator diffracts the incident rays of light as they are reflected therefrom. At least one of the facing surfaces of the beam elements and underlying substrate is configured to reduce any tendency to stick as they are pulled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford, Junior University
    Inventors: David M. Bloom, Francisco S. A. Sandejas, Olav Solgaard, Raj B. Apte