Theory analysis and experimental demonstration of a microlens array scanner with Kepler structure.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Optical Engineering
• Beam Steering Technology

Background:

• Microlens array scanners (MLAS) offer potential for large-angle beam scanning with large beam sizes.
• Efficient beam steering is crucial for various optical systems and applications.
• Existing technologies may have limitations in achieving both large angles and large beam sizes simultaneously.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility and performance of a microlens array scanner (MLAS) for large-angle beam scanning.
• To develop and validate a mathematical model for an MLAS system with a Kepler structure.
• To experimentally demonstrate a one-dimensional discrete-addressing scanning process using MLAS.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two sets of microlens arrays (MLAs) as phase-controlling emitters in the MLAS.
• Established a mathematical model for the MLAS, considering desired and leakage directions.
• Experimentally employed two sets of F/5 continuous surface MLAs as emitters.

Main Results:

• The mathematical model predicted a maximum relative displacement of MLAS equal to half the MLA sub-aperture.
• A one-dimensional discrete-addressing scanning process was successfully demonstrated.
• The experimental results showed good agreement with the established theoretical model.

Conclusions:

• The demonstrated MLAS technology effectively achieves large-angle beam scanning with a significant field of view.
• The developed mathematical model accurately describes the behavior of the MLAS system.
• This technology holds promise for applications requiring precise and wide-angle optical beam control.