Abstract:
A representative embodiment of the invention provides an infrared (IR) imaging system (300) adapted to (i) convert an IR image of an object into mechanical displacements of a plurality of movable plates (304,306), (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:
An apparatus comprising a substrate (125) and a MEM device (105) . The MEM includes a comb capacitor (110) and a magnetic element (117) physically connected to one electrode of the comb capacitor. The magnetic element is capable of moving the one electrode in a manner that alters a capacitance of the comb capacitor. The apparatus also includes at least one spring (130) physically connecting the magnetic element to the substrate.