Diffraction Efficiency of MEMS Phase Light Modulator, TI-PLM, for Quasi-Continuous and Multi-Point Beam Steering

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)

Background:

• Traditional lidar systems often rely on mechanical scanning, limiting speed and increasing complexity.
• Iterative algorithms for Computer-Generated Holograms (CGHs) can be computationally intensive and slow.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the application of a Micro Electromechanical System (MEMS) Phase Light Modulator (PLM) for fast laser beam steering in lidar.
• To demonstrate quasi-continuous beam steering using deterministically calculated CGHs with a MEMS PLM.
• To analyze the impact of non-equally spaced phase levels on diffraction efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Texas Instruments MEMS PLM for laser beam modulation.
• Employed a deterministic CGH calculation algorithm, avoiding iterative methods.
• Quantified the diffraction efficiency concerning PLM phase level spacing.
• Experimentally demonstrated multi-point beam steering and scanning capabilities.

Main Results:

• Achieved quasi-continuous laser beam steering using a MEMS PLM and deterministic CGHs.
• Demonstrated that non-equally spaced phase levels affect diffraction efficiency.
• Successfully steered and scanned a laser beam to multiple regions of interest points.
• Enabled lidar beam steering without sequential raster scanning.

Conclusions:

• The MEMS PLM is a viable technology for fast, non-iterative laser beam steering in lidar applications.
• Deterministic CGH calculation offers an efficient alternative to iterative methods for PLM-based beam steering.
• This approach facilitates rapid scanning of multiple lidar points, enhancing system performance.