Title:
MEMS BASED RETROREFLECTOR
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2006086029
Kind Code:
A9
Abstract:
A deformable reflective surface is disclosed that may be used with a retroreflector to provide a modulated retroreflector. The modulated retroreflector may be used in communication systems such as optical laser communication systems wherein an incident beam is reflected back to the source, as modulated by the modulated retroreflector. In an undeformed state, the deformable reflective surface provides substantially uniform reflectance to transmit a reflected beam substantially parallel to an incident beam. In a deformed state, the deformable reflective surface disperses an incident beam to prevent uniform transmission of the incident beam back to a source. By interrupting operation of the retroflector with a deformed reflective surface, the retroreflector permits modulation of the reflected beam, based on an input modulation signal that can contain voice or sensor data. A sensor may be coupled to the retroreflector to sense the incident beam to permit the retroreflector to be activated upon application of the incident beam. The deformable reflective surface may be arranged to be switched between a diffractive reflective surface and a uniform reflective surface.
More Like This:
Inventors:
BIFANO THOMAS G (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2005/040884
Publication Date:
September 28, 2006
Filing Date:
November 10, 2005
Export Citation:
Assignee:
UNIV BOSTON (US)
BIFANO THOMAS G (US)
BIFANO THOMAS G (US)
International Classes:
G02B6/30
Download PDF: