A wide-range linearly tunable optical filter using Lorentz force

Abstract

In this letter, we have proposed and demonstrated, for the first time, the application of low-voltage magnetic actuation to a tunable optical filter to achieve a wide linear tuning range. We have fabricated and tested three different types of spring structures: straight, corrugated, and meander types to optimize the proposed magnetic actuation for high linearity and low power consumption. From the fabricated actuator, we have acquired a wide linear tuning range over 200 nm in wavelength, which is the widest ever reported to the best of our knowledge. The fabricated tunable filter has demonstrated a maximum static power consumption of less than 25 muW for wavelength tuning up to 200 nm with an external magnetic field of 0.28 T.