Actuator for an optical-mechanical scanner and a method of using the actuator

摘要

In an actuator for an optical mechanical scanner comprising a positioning element for an optical mirror wherein the positioning element is an electrically heatable flexible element consisting of a shape memory alloy having a Curie temperature and a transformation temperature, and wherein the flexible element is ferromagnetic when cold and can be bent in a first position by a magnet but is heated to exceed the Curie temperature and the transformation temperature so as to become paramagnetic whereby the flexible element becomes deformed in the opposite direction.