Dynamic MEMS based photonic bandgap filter

• Published in: Proceedings of IEEE Sensors Vol. 1; pp. 43 - 48 vol.1
• Main Authors: Trimm, R.H., Tuck, E.J., Tuck, G., Buncick, M.C., Reiner, P., Kranz, M., Temmen, M.G., Ashley, P.R.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 2002
• Subjects: Actuators; Costs; Filtering; Micromechanical devices; Optical filters; Optical saturation; Optical sensors; Photonic band gap; Sensor arrays; Sensor systems
• ISBN: 9780780374546; 0780374541
• DOI: 10.1109/ICSENS.2002.1036985

Presents the development of an integrated fast filtering system using a photonic band gap (PBG) filter and a MEMS actuator. The actuator varies the air gap thickness between two PBG stacks to vary the optical transmission of the stack. The switch is a fast, reliable, electrically driven filter that can be fully integrated with current focal plane array technologies. The filter has been developed to have "on" and "off" states in the 3-5 micron wavelength range. The device can be easily tailored for use in other wavebands. This MEMS/PBG filter can be hybridized into existing optical system designs but can also be integrated into new optical system designs.