THERMALLY-ACTUATED REFLECTION MODE ASYMMETRIC FABRY-PEROT MODULATOR UTILIZING A THIN TRANSPARENT ELASTOMERIC FILM

This letter describes a thermally-actuated reflection mode asymmetric Fabry-Perot modulator that consists of a thin transparent elastomeric film bounded by partially and highly reflecting metallic mirrors. The thickness of the transparent layer determines the intensity of light r eflected from the modulator; changes in its thickness modulate the ref lectivity. Electrical current flowing through the highly reflecting mi rror provides a source of heat for controlling, by thermal expansion, the thickness of the elastomeric film. Modulators with this design sho w contrast ratios > 15 dB and insertion losses <0.3 dB. (C) 1998 Ameri can Institute of Physics.