Mirrorcle Technologies, Inc.

MEMS mirrors with integrated optical-based position sensing in a highly compact ceramic package will begin shipping in a staged rollout as of Q1 of 2025. This, latest update in integration of position sensing with Mirrorcle’s large portfolio of MEMS Mirrors brings the most reliable and accurate direct mirror position information to users with minimal effects on overall size and flexibility of Mirrorcle’s beam-steering solution. Namely, the position sensing is performed by photodetector-based monitoring of the backside surface of the MEMS mirror and this methodology and integration in a single compact package enables the front side of the device to be most flexibly utilized and integrated into customer systems. Mirrorcle’s software and hardware teams have also completed updates to the supporting electronics portfolio to offer comprehensive support for this solution, with options to simply monitor position-related signals in analog or digital fashion, or to run devices in closed-loop control. In this staged rollout of the solution, it is initially offered with select MEMS Mirrors from Mirrorcle’s portfolio and for select customer cases. Mirrorcle has been delivering MEMS mirrors to a variety of applications and markets for 20 years. In the majority of applications, and as supported by Mirrorcle’s software and electronics, these devices are operated in open-loop. Mirrorcle MEMS mirrors are inherently highly robust and repeatable, based on the principles of electrostatic actuation with all mechanical structures made of single-crystal silicon. This unique design allows Mirrorcle MEMS mirrors to operate in open-loop conditions without any major issues regarding the mirror’s position at any given time. The open-loop driving of Mirrorcle MEMS mirrors can achieve highest resolutions in open loop, e.g. using precision voltage sources to drive 16-bit resolution positions or better. This is typically more precise and repeatable than closed-loop control due to more limited resolution of position sensing systems. However, in some applications, a position sensing solution is necessary to monitor mirror position as part of safety requirements and certifications. There are also cases where closed-loop control is necessary and typically Mirrorcle’s customers employ their own methodologies including separate optical beam/Sensing solutions from the front-side. Certainly, there are cases where a specific application and design constrains the user to a bespoke solution, but now there is an additional option available to customers based on Mirrorcle’s expanded offering. The MEMS device with integrated position sensing will be available for sale through Mirrorcle Technologies sales channels. At Photonics West 2025, please visit our booth at Hall E, Booth #3287 to view the product and talk to the Mirrorcle team for more information. Visit us today for the latest update on this product.

Mirrorcle is proud to announce the release of the PlayzerX platform at Photonics West 2025 in San Francisco, CA. Mirrorcle has provided industry-leading, compact and cost-effective programmable laser-beam steering solutions for 20 years. Historically, our MEMS Mirror-based system solutions such as the compact projector “Playzer” and 3D lidar “SyMPL”, were offered as comprehensive solutions that include Mirrorcle’s proprietary software API and applications. But a rapidly evolving industry sometimes led customers to request support for a variety of less-common or application-specific platforms. In some cases, customers expressed a need to develop their own APIs to use Mirrorcle’s beam steering solutions. The new PlayzerX platform was developed to not only meet these demands, but to further lower barriers to entry to Mirrorcle’s unique laser beam steering technology. PlayzerX offers open-source programmability while being operating system and hardware platform independent. The PlayzerX hardware has already been available at a lower cost, directly from Mirrorcle and through online distributors like Digikey. Previously, users could interface to the hardware’s analog inputs to steer the laser beam and control laser brightness. Now, and in addition, USB-based (serial communication) control of steering and brightness projection data is enabled with a fully published and documented protocol, supported by a public C++ repository with an open-source API and code examples. What is the Playzer? Playzer is a pocket-sized, low-power consuming, and programmable vector graphics laser projector which consists of a MEMS Mirror-based Scan Module and an embedded Controller. Playzer may be controlled by Software Applications and Mirrorcle’s proprietary software API (Playzer S-Series or “Playzer”) or via Analog Input or USB Serial Commands (Playzer X-Series or “PlayzerX”). It is a compact solution for bright animated visual messaging in a multitude of environments, both outdoor and indoor. This enables user to develop programmable laser projection content for applications like digital signage and décor, human-robot interaction, automotive programmable courtesy lighting, 3D scanning and metrology, drone-based projection systems and many more. The Playzer products are built on Mirrorcle’s Vector Graphics Laser Projection (VGLP) architecture, which combines a full technology stack of software, electronics, and optical laser beam-steering solutions to enable fully programmable and re-configurable laser projection and display of bright, high-contrast graphic content on a variety of surfaces. The architecture optimizes the performance of lasers and fast gimbal-less dual-axis MEMS mirrors to achieve highest “wall-plug power to visibility” efficiency. A critical feature of the architecture is to utilize lasers of modest optical power at very high duty cycles and to deliver all available illumination to the desired vector graphics and image, and not to spread it over a wide area as in typical pico-projectors or DLP displays. PlayzerX product with the add-on of USB programmability and public repository software launched in January of 2025. The hardware is available through Mirrorcle Technologies sales channels, while the software and supporting documentation is available on Github. At Photonics West 2025, please visit our booth at Hall E, Booth #3287 for more information and Playzer demonstrations.

In recent years, developments in the aerospace and medical industries have significantly increased demand for hermetically sealed beam steering devices. Mirrorcle’s, now 20 year running production of MEMS Mirrors has in general relied on more flexible and modular packaging solutions. This has allowed a much wider portfolio of products, especially with respect to compatibility of different users’ optical and mechanical requirements. Over that period, Mirrorcle has also supported some customers with hermetic packaged MEMS devices in biomedical and Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) industries where the final product was a bespoke solution specific for a given customer’s requirement. In 2024, Mirrorcle worked towards establishing standardized production of MEMS mirrors in hermetically sealed packages, both as standalone TO-8 packages (“TO8” option) and as connectorized PCBA version (“TINYTO8” option). The process of sourcing reliable caps with high optical quality windows, packaging and hermetically sealing the MEMS mirrors has been established, and Mirrorcle is excited to announce the new product line of Hermetic Packaged MEMS Devices towards aerospace applications and beyond. What are the benefits of a hermetic packaged MEMS device? These devices take an already existing reliable and robust MEMS device, and make it suitable for applications with low or non-existent atmosphere, harsh environments, remote locations, and in general – cases where high reliability performance is critical. Hermetic packaging provides environmental protection from moisture, dust, corrosive environments, or changes in pressure. The hermetic packaging helps maintain a controlled internal environment within the package for the MEMS device, which extends the operational life, provides stable performance and reduces maintenance for a given MEMS device. In FSOC, there has been a customer demand towards MEMS devices in applications operating in harsher terrestrial environments such as tropical regions – specifically the Asian subcontinent areas. Additionally, customers in aerospace applications such as space terminals, space lidars, have also requested for hermetic packaged MEMS to provide a uniform performance over the various challenging space environments. The hermetic packaged MEMS devices are available as of January 2025 through Mirrorcle Technologies sales channels. For more details on lead times, pricing, and MOQs, please contact sales@mirrorcletech.com. At Photonics West 2025, please visit our booth at Hall E, Booth #3287 to view product samples and talk to the Mirrorcle team for more information.