Wide angle beam steerer using translation of plural lens arrays

Details Wide angle beam steerer using translation of plural lens arrays Wide angle beam steerer using translation of plural lens arrays

1990-03-26

1991-10-22

Arnold, Bruce Y.

Optical: systems and elements

Deflection using a moving element

359721, 359 36, G02B 2608, G02B 310

Patent

active

050590081

ABSTRACT:
A beam steering arrangement for a plurality of beams of electromagnetic radiation from a like plurality of sources arrayed with a preselected source-to-source spacing includes a first lens array. The period of the lenses corresponds to that of the sources. The lenses of the first array may be converging or diverging lenses, but when illuminated by the sources, each produces a beam of light including at least a diverging portion. A second lens array is cascaded with the first lens array, with the lenses of the second array illuminated by the diverging beam portions. The second lens array collimates the diverging beam portions. The second lens array is translated in a direction approximately transverse to the undeflected beam direction in order to scan or deflect the collimated beams. This may result in overfilling of the input apertures of the lenses of the output lens array, with consequent reduction in the amplitude of the main beam, and with generation of beams of lower intensity in other directions. The first lens array is translated in a fashion which scans the diverging beam portions to prevent aperture overfilling. In particular embodiments of the invention, the lenses of the output lens array are converging lenses, and the input lens array may include either converging or diverging lenses. In another embodiment of the invention, the pair of translatable lens arrays is cascaded with an array of phase shifters for providing piston phase correction by which a continuous range of scan directions may be achieved.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4842376 (1989-01-01), Braatz et al.
patent: 4937539 (1990-06-01), Grinberg et al.
"Binary Micro Optics: An Application to Beam Steering", by Goltsos et al., published by Lincoln Laboratories in connection with SPIE: OE LASE 89, 1052 (Jan. 1989).
"Optical Beam Steering Using a Multichannel Lithium Tantalate Crystal", by Meyer, published at pp. 613-616 in the Mar., 1972 Issue of Applied Optics, vol. 11, No. 3.
"Continuous Wide Angle Beam Steering Using Translation of Binary Microlens Arrays and a Liquid Crystal Phased Array", K. M. Flood et al., publication made at the Jan., 1990 OE LASE conference Los Angeles, Calif.
"Phase Control of Coherent Diode Laser Arrays Using Liquid Crystals", published in connection with SPIE: OE LASE 89, vol. 1043, paper No. 18, Jan. 1989.

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