TI Analog Mirrors are relatively large, single-element reflectors ranging from about 1-5 mm in diameter. TI has more than a decade of experience designing and manufacturing analog mirrors for use in precision laser light steering applications.

Two characteristics define analog mirror types. First, the mirror has either one or two axes of motion. Second, the mirror is either a resonant scanning mirror or a pointing mirror. A single-axis mirror can be either a resonant scanning or a pointing mirror. Similarly, a dual-axis mirror can have two pointing axes, two resonant scanning axes, or a combination of one pointing and one resonant scanning axis.

A resonant scanning mirror is designed to operate at any angle within a specified range at a single mechanical resonant frequency. This resonant frequency is unique for each scanning mirror and is fixed by design. Resonant scan mirrors produce a sine scan profile at the resonant frequency.

A pointing mirror is designed to operate at any angle within a specified range and can do so at any rate below a maximum frequency determined by the mirror’s properties and drive capabilities. Its angular position is proportional to an input drive current. The mirror can be operated in a point-and-hold manner to any angle within its specified operating range, or it can be driven with a sinusoidal, triangle, or saw tooth waveform to provide a low frequency scanning function.

Pointing Mirrors

TI’s Analog Pointing Mirrors can be directed to and held at any angle within each mirror’s specified mechanical range of rotation and along each axis. Under proper closed loop drive control, it is possible to command and execute a point-to-point position change with switching times of less than 5 milliseconds. The pointing mirror function supports point-and-hold operations as well as user-defined scan patterns including fly back, triangular, sinusoidal, and spiral scans. The TALP1000B product includes integrated 13-bit position feedback. TI Analog Pointing Mirrors utilize magnetic actuation which supports low drive voltage requirements. In addition, the actuation motor is not overly sensitive to small particles and does not require a sealed package for reliable long term operation.

TI Analog Pointing Mirrors can be used with wavelength dispersive elements and other optical components in applications that require wavelength selection/switching and laser beam alignment. Applications include optical networking systems such as wavelength-selective ROADMs and Optical Channel Monitors (OCMs) as well as free space optical communication and beam steering for optical alignment. See the TALP1000B for a product example.

Scanning Mirrors

TI’s Analog Scanning Mirrors can be operated at any angle within the mirror’s specified mechanical range of rotation with typically an elliptical or rectangular shape. Each mirror must operate at or near its resonance frequency. Scanning mirrors used in laser print applications range from about 1kHz to 5kHz, while scanning mirrors used in imaging and projection applications range from about 15kHz to 30KHz. TI Analog Scanning Mirrors may be fitted with either magnetic or piezoelectric actuation depending on the requirements of the specific application. Like TI Analog Pointing Mirrors, they are not overly sensitive to small particles, and therefore do not require a sealed package for reliable long term operation. TI Analog Scanning Mirrors also have low dynamic deformation; or in other words, TI Scanning Mirrors remain very flat while rotating at resonance. Position sensor feedback is available on many TI Analog Mirrors for applications requiring video synchronization.

The characteristics of TI Analog Scanning Mirrors are suitable for precisely directing light in imaging and projection display applications such as in laser printers and medical and consumer imaging systems.