Abstract
One of the very useful aspects of a laser is its well-defined beam, delivering high intensity to a
defined location. Directing that beam and specifying the location is generally done with adjustable
mirrors. Directing the beam in time varying manner most often requires galvanometer scanning
mirrors which translate in one dimension. These mirrors, though now a mature technology, are in
general speed limited due to their inertia and can be heavy, power hungry and expensive. There are
then benefits to be gained from non-mechanical means of beam steering particularly in terms of
speed and weight. This paper gives an overview of methods employed to implement beam steering
and then concentrates on methods that do not rely on independent phase control. The use of a
micromirror array for 3-dimensional beam control will be presented with the pros and cons that this
entails.
defined location. Directing that beam and specifying the location is generally done with adjustable
mirrors. Directing the beam in time varying manner most often requires galvanometer scanning
mirrors which translate in one dimension. These mirrors, though now a mature technology, are in
general speed limited due to their inertia and can be heavy, power hungry and expensive. There are
then benefits to be gained from non-mechanical means of beam steering particularly in terms of
speed and weight. This paper gives an overview of methods employed to implement beam steering
and then concentrates on methods that do not rely on independent phase control. The use of a
micromirror array for 3-dimensional beam control will be presented with the pros and cons that this
entails.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 107970H |
| Journal | Proceedings of SPIE - International Society for Optical Engineering |
| Volume | 10797 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 9 Oct 2018 |
| Event | SPIE SECURITY + DEFENCE - Berlin, Germany Duration: 10 Sept 2018 → 13 Sept 2018 |