Abstract:
A representative embodiment of the invention provides an infrared (IR) imaging system adapted to (i) convert an IR image of an object into mechanical displacements of a plurality of movable plates, (ii) use the mechanical displacements to impart a corresponding spatial phase modulation pattern onto a beam of visible light, and (iii) apply spatial filtering to convert the spatial phase modulation pattern into a visible image of the object.
Abstract:
In a videoconferencing terminal, a flat panel display has thereon display elements for displaying an image of a remote object during a videoconference. The display elements are arranged on the flat panel display such that light-transmissive regions are interspersed among the display elements. A camera in the terminal is used to receive light through the light-transmissive regions to capture an image of an object in front of the flat panel display to realize the videoconference.
Abstract:
A sensor that is responsive to at least two distinct spectral bands, e.g., infrared radiation and ultraviolet or infrared and visible light makes use of the junction of a diode-based bolometer as a photocell in addition to its temperature dependence for detecting infrared radiation. More specifically the diode bolometer is arranged to work in the conventional manner, in that an electrical characteristic of the diode, e.g., the temperature dependence of its current-voltage (I-V) curve, is used as the basis for measuring temperature, and hence, infrared radiation. Additionally, the same diode may be operated as a photocell to detect radiation that is capable of interacting with the electrons in the junction of the diode. This may be achieved by detecting a change in the operating point of the diode based given its present biasing in response to noninfrared radiation incident upon the diode.
Abstract:
A mechanical switch includes a pair of conducting contacts, metal located on and between the conducting contacts, a heater, and an electromechanical actuator. The heater is operable to apply heat that melts the metal. The electro-mechanical actuator is capable of moving one or both of the conducting contacts in a manner that causes the metal to either start physically bridging the conducting contacts or to stop physically bridging the conducting contacts.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for forming an antenna beam from an array antenna having a rear facing side, an aperture, and including a first and a second radiating element. The method comprises injecting a synchronization signal wirelessly from a common source at the rear facing side of the array antenna to provide an initial calibration of the array antenna that synchronizes phase of an output signal from the first and second radiating elements to the common source. The method further comprises compensating a change in phase of the synchronization signal at the first radiating element based on a spatial displacement to synchronize phase of a first portion of the output signal from the first radiating element to the phase of the synchronization signal at the second radiating element in response to the spatial displacement of the first radiating element after the initial calibration of the antenna array. A synchronization source may couple to the phased array antenna wirelessly, such as optically or using radio frequency based coupling. To synchronize a portion of an output signal from a plurality of radiating elements, a phase shift unit and/or a time delay unit at each radiating element may lock its phase to a synchronization signal from a common or a point source regardless of a location thereof relative to the synchronization source. In this way, a synchronization source may synchronize the phase of the phased array antenna even if one or more radiating elements may move from an original spatial location to any arbitrary position.
Abstract:
An arbitrary gap between the two chips of a MEMS device arranged in a flip-chip arrangement is achieved by etching into a first substrate to form mesas which act as spacers between which, or even on which, any required circuit elements are formed. Points of a layer at a first surface of the second substrate within which MEMS structures are made are bonded to the mesas of the first substrate. The second substrate is then removed, leaving the structures bonded to the mesas. The mesas may be formed by placing a hard mask, such as silicon oxide, which defines the desired pattern of mesas on the first substrate, and then etching the unmasked portion of the substrate using a mixture of potassium hydroxide (KOH) with isopropanol (IPA) or, tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) mixed with a surfactant, e.g., nonylphenol ethoxy ether or other equivalent compounds.
Abstract:
A representative embodiment of the invention provides an infrared (IR) imaging system adapted to (i) convert an IR image of an object into mechanical displacements of a plurality of movable plates, (ii) use the mechanical displacements to impart a corresponding spatial phase modulation pattern onto a beam of visible light, and (iii) apply spatial filtering to convert the spatial phase modulation pattern into a visible image of the object.
Abstract:
A mechanical lens includes a rigid chamber, a first transparent window located to close one end of the chamber, a flexible transparent membrane window located to close another end of the chamber, and a transparent fluid having an index of refraction. The flexible transparent membrane window is along an optical path of light received through said first transparent window. The chamber is filled with said fluid and a curvature of said flexible transparent membrane window is responsive to a pressure of said transparent fluid.
Abstract:
A representative embodiment of the invention provides an infrared (IR) detector having a movable plate supported at an offset distance from a substrate by a suspension arm. In response to a temperature difference between the plate and the substrate generated by the incident IR radiation, the suspension arm deforms and changes the offset distance for the plate. In one embodiment, the suspension arm has three rod-shaped bimorph transducers that lie within a plane that is parallel to the substrate. The transducers are also parallel to one another, with the transducer that is attached to an anchor of the suspension arm being located between the two transducers that are attached to the plate.
Abstract:
A low power or passive optical apparatus provides temperature control of dynamic thermooptic devices and temperature-sensitive optical devices formed on the same substrate. The optical apparatus includes a variable heat transfer device with a conductive heat transfer component (e.g., heat pipe) and a heat-conductive interface component (e.g., heat sink) to exchange thermal energy with an external environment. In one embodiment, the heat pipe has a variable resistance and the heat sink has a fixed thermal resistance. In a second embodiment, the heat pipe has a fixed resistance and the heat sink has a variable thermal resistance. In another embodiment both the heat pipe and heat sink have variable thermal resistance. In another embodiment, the optical apparatus further includes a thermoelectric cooler and the variable heat transfer device (e.g., variable heat pipe and/or heat sink) is used to reduce the temperature range over which said thermoelectric cooler operates, resulting in a lower power requirement for the thermoelectric cooler.