Micro-mechanical polarization-based modulator

摘要

A micro-mechanical spatial light modulator for modulating a polarization state of an incident beam (20) comprises a plurality of rotatable elements. Each of the rotatable elements (170) comprises a plurality of structures (300). The structures are spaced apart at sub-wavelength distances relative to the wavelength of the incident beam (20). Each of the plurality of structures (300) exhibits an interaction with the polarization state of the incident beam. An actuator is coupled to each of the rotatable elements. The actuator is capable of controllably positioning the rotatable element to any two positions, and each of the positions has a corresponding polarization state. A substrate (110) supports each plurality of rotatable elements and houses each actuator.