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Beam steering experiment with two cascaded ferroelectric liquid-crystal spatial light modulators
David Engström1, Sverker Hård, Per Rudquist
1Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Photonics Laboratory, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Göteborg, Sweden. david.engstrom@mc2.chalmers.se
Applied Optics
|March 16, 2004
Summary
This study presents a novel laser beam steerer using two ferroelectric liquid-crystal (FLC) spatial light modulators (SLMs). The system achieves a four-level phase structure for precise beam steering with a simple, near-lossless design.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Device Engineering
Background:
- Laser beam steering is crucial for applications in optical systems.
- Existing methods often involve complex or lossy components.
- Development of compact and efficient beam steering systems is an ongoing challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, construct, and evaluate a novel laser beam steerer.
- To utilize ferroelectric liquid-crystal (FLC) spatial light modulators (SLMs) for beam steering.
- To achieve a simple, low-component, and potentially lossless system.
Main Methods:
- Employed two binary FLC SLMs operated in conjunction.
- Coherently imaged the first SLM onto the second SLM.
- Utilized high tilt angle FLC material for SLM fabrication.
- Developed an appropriate alignment procedure.
Main Results:
- Achieved an effective four-level phase structure with a 90-degree phase step.
- The system demonstrated a simple design with few components.
- Experimentally obtained a throughput of approximately 20%.
Conclusions:
- The developed FLC SLM-based laser beam steerer is a viable and simple optical system.
- The system's performance is analyzed, showing potential for precise beam steering.
- Further optimization may improve the achieved throughput.