DMD-based imagers with minimized thermal loads in an off-state
An apparatus is disclosed. For example, the apparatus may include an array of a plurality of micromirrors, a light source to provide a light input at a near symmetric angle relative to a normal angle of each one of the plurality of micromirrors in the array, and an optic adjuster to adjust an off-axis light output of the plurality of micromirrors in the array when the plurality of micromirrors is in an on-state.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
an array of a plurality of micromirrors;
a light source to provide a light input at a near symmetric angle relative to a normal angle of each one of the plurality of micromirrors in the array; and
an optic adjuster to adjust an off-axis light output of the plurality of micromirrors in the array when the plurality of micromirrors is in an on-state.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the near symmetric angle comprises an angle between approximately 5 degrees to 10 degrees relative to the normal angle of the each one of the plurality of micromirrors.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the near symmetric angle comprises an angle of approximately 5 degrees relative to the normal angle of the each one of the plurality of micromirrors.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the optic adjuster comprises a free form optic to adjust a field of view for the off-axis light output that comprises an angle greater than 0 degrees relative to the normal angle.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a beam dump to collect a light output of the plurality of micromirrors in an off-state.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a movable platform coupled to the light source to adjust an angle of the light input within a range of angles associated with the near symmetric angle.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:
a controller communicatively coupled to the movable platform to move the movable platform to adjust the angle of the light input from the light source to a desired angle.
8. An apparatus, comprising:
an array of a plurality of micromirrors;
a light source to provide a light input at an approximately symmetric angle relative to a normal angle of each one of the plurality of micromirrors in the array; and
an optic adjuster to adjust an off-axis light output of the plurality of micromirrors in the array when the plurality of micromirrors is in an on-state.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the approximately symmetric angle comprises an angle between approximately 0 degrees to 5 degrees relative to the normal angle of the each one of the plurality of micromirrors.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the approximately symmetric angle comprises an angle of approximately 0 degrees relative to the normal angle of the each one of the plurality of micromirrors.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the optic adjuster comprises a free form optic to adjust a field of view for the off-axis light output that comprises an angle greater than 0 degrees relative to the normal angle.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising:
a beam dump to collect a light output of the plurality of micromirrors in an off-state.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising:
a movable platform coupled to the light source to adjust an angle of the light input within a range of angles associated with the near symmetric angle.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising:
a controller communicatively coupled to the movable platform to move the movable platform to adjust the angle of the light input from the light source to a desired angle.
15. An apparatus, comprising:
an array of a plurality of micromirrors;
a light source to provide a light input at an input angle between a range of angles, wherein the range of angles comprises approximately 0 degrees to 10 degrees relative to a normal angle of each one of the plurality of micromirrors in the array; and
an optic adjuster to adjust an off-axis light output of the plurality of micromirrors in the array when the plurality of micromirrors is in an on-state.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the input angle comprises approximately 5 degrees.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the off-axis light output comprises an angle of approximately 19 degrees.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the input angle comprises approximately 0 degrees.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the off-axis light output comprises an angle of approximately 24 degrees.
20. The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising:
a movable platform coupled to the light source to adjust an angle of the light input between the range of angles.