IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,842,549
Granted Patent B2
US 6,842,549 · App. 10/224,146 · Granted Jan 11, 2005

Optical system and method

Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,842,549
App. No.
10/224,146
Granted
Jan 11, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

Adaptive dynamic optical filters with wavelength spreading onto a micromirror array and re-configurable attenuation according to measured intensity as a function of wavelength.

Claims (18)

1. A dynamic optical filter, comprising:

a) an input wavelength spreader;

b) an array of micromirrors positioned to reflect radiation from said wavelength spreader; and

c) an output wavelength combiner positioned to receive radiation reflected from said micromirrors;

d) wherein said micromirrors may be adjusted to vary the portion of radiation within a wavelength band reflected towards said output wavelength combiner and said spreader spreads a wavelength band to an oblong area on said micromirror array.

2. The filter of claim 1 , wherein: said spreader spreads adjacent wavelength bands to overlapping areas on said micromirror array.

3. An adaptive dynamic optical filter, comprising:

(a) an input wavelength spreader;

(b) an array of micromirrors positioned to reflect radiation from said wavelength spreader;

(c) an output wavelength combiner positioned to receive radiation reflected from said micromirrors; and

(d) feedback control with input coupled to said output combiner and said output coupled to said array of micromirrors;

(e) wherein said micromirrors may to adjusted to vary the portion of radiation within a wavelength band reflected towards said output wavelength combiner and said feedback control monitors the relative phase as a function of wavelength.

4. An adaptive dynamic optical filter, comprising:

(a) an input wavelength spreader;

(b) an array of micromirrors positioned to reflect radiation from said wavelength spreader;

(c) an output wavelength combiner positioned to receive radiation reflected from said micromirrors; and

(d) feedback control with input coupled to said output combiner and said output coupled to said array of micromirrors;

(e) wherein said micromirrors may to adjusted to vary the portion of radiation within a wavelength band reflected towards said output wavelength combiner and said feedback control monitors the relative group velocity as a function of wavelength.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2002
From: SO, JOHN
To: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 013518/0332 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 6031355900 · Aug 20, 2001
Related Publication 20030086139A1 · May 8, 2003