Torsion spring speckle diffuser

Abstract

Devices for applying vibration and/or sliding motion to speckle diffusers are provided. A speckle diffusion device comprises at least one speckle diffuser element, one free form torsion spring with an axis of rotation, and at least one actuator. One end of the torsion spring includes an interaction element to interact with the actuator. The actuator actuates motion of the speckle diffusion element via the interaction element attached to the spring. The spring may also limit motion of the speckle diffuser element. The speckle diffusion device may be implemented or employed in various optical systems/devices. The speckle diffusion device may be easily adapted to accommodate various systems with various dimensions and geometry. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A speckle diffuser, comprising:
 a spring;   an interaction component coupled with a first end of the spring;   a speckle diffusion component coupled with a second end of the spring; and   an actuation component arranged to interact with the interaction component to cause actuation of the spring.   
     
     
         27 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 26 , wherein the speckle diffusion component is disposed in a frame, and an outer portion of the frame is coupled with the second end of the spring. 
     
     
         28 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 27 , wherein the frame comprises a slot arranged to receive the second end of the spring. 
     
     
         29 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 26 , wherein the first end is arranged to limit movement of the speckle diffusion component in at least one direction and the second end is arranged to limit movement of the speckle diffusion component in at least one other direction. 
     
     
         30 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 26 , wherein the first end extends perpendicular to the second end. 
     
     
         31 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 26 , further comprising:
 a housing arranged to hold the spring, the speckle diffusion component, and the second magnet.   
     
     
         32 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 31 , wherein the housing comprises a cylinder, and at least a portion of the spring is wrapped around the cylinder. 
     
     
         33 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 31 , wherein the housing comprises one or more rails along which the speckle diffusion component is to move during oscillation of the speckle diffusion component. 
     
     
         34 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 26 , wherein:
 the first end of the spring is an end of a first arm of the spring; and   the second end of the spring is an end of second arm of the spring.   
     
     
         35 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 26 , wherein the interaction component is a first magnet and the an actuation component is a second magnet. 
     
     
         36 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 35 , wherein the first magnet is a permanent magnet, and the second magnet is an electromagnet. 
     
     
         37 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 26 , wherein the spring is a torsion spring. 
     
     
         38 . A speckle diffuser, comprising:
 a speckle diffusion component;   an oscillation component coupled to the speckle diffusion component; and   an oscillator component configured to manipulate the oscillation component to osciallate the speckle diffusion component.   
     
     
         39 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 38 , wherein the speckle diffusion component is coupled to a first part of the oscillation component, and the oscillator component is configured to interact with a second part of the oscillation component. 
     
     
         40 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 39 , wherein the speckle diffusion component includes a frame, and a portion of the frame is configured to couple the speckle diffusion component with the first part of the oscillation component. 
     
     
         41 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 40 , further comprising:
 an interaction component coupled to the second part of the oscillation component, the interaction element configured to interact with the oscillator component to cause the osciallation of the speckle diffusion component.   
     
     
         42 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 41 , wherein the oscillation component is a spring, the interaction component is a first magnet, and the oscillator component is a second magnet. 
     
     
         43 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 42 , wherein the first magnet is a permanent magnet and the second magnet is an electromagnet. 
     
     
         44 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 42 , wherein the spring is a torsion spring. 
     
     
         45 . The speckle diffuser of  claim 38 , wherein the oscillator component is configured to oscillate the oscillation component based on signals received from a controller.