A novel addressable switching micro corner cube array for free-space optical applications

We report on a novel addressable switching micro corner cube array for wide free-space optical applications. The corner cube, composed of three mutually orthogonal reflective surfaces, may reflect incident light beam at any angle to its incoming direction. The use of the reflective corner cube array is equivalent to an integration of a lens and a well-aligned mirror array in an appropriate optical configuration. Critical alignment problems can be greatly alleviated. Incorporated with a grating and other optical components, the corner cube is preset to maintain reflective light to its incoming direction, or allowed to provide actuation on one of the reflective planes, causing destruction of its three mutually orthogonal planes for free-space wavelength selection or intensity variation.