An adjustable compound optical microlens apparatus comprises first and second
microlenses that are separated from one another along their optical axes. At least
one of the microlenses is movable relative to the other. In a preferred embodiment,
one microlens is stationary, the other movable. A MEMS controller electrically
controls the position of the movable microlens relative to the stationary microlens,
or the positions of at least two movable microlenses relative to one another. In
accordance with one embodiment of our invention, an array of such microlens apparatuses
is also contemplated, especially for applications such optical switches and routers.
In accordance with another embodiment of our invention, the apparatus functions
as an optical filter or dispersion compensator. Also described is method of compensating
for variations in an optical parameter (e.g., effective focal length) of such an
apparatus in an array.
