Non-mechanical Laser Transmitter Steering via LCWG and PG Stack
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanically controlled laser transmitters face challenges with size, weight, power consumption, cost, failure rate, and steering limitations, necessitating a non-mechanical approach for beam steering that maintains field-of-regard and range.
Innovation Solution
A non-mechanically steered high-power laser transmitter is achieved by placing an optical amplifier between a liquid crystal waveguide for continuous fine steering and a polarization grating stack for discrete coarse steering, with the amplifier providing uniform gain over a limited angular range to increase the transmitter's range and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If mechanically controlled mirrors or prisms are used for beam steering, then the laser transmitter can achieve wide field-of-regard and long range, but the system size, weight, power consumption, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mirrors and prisms with an acousto-optic deflector that uses sound waves to steer the laser beam. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts while maintaining beam steering capability, directly reducing system weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The acousto-optic deflector changes the refractive index of the medium through which the laser passes by applying acoustic waves. This parameter change enables beam steering without mechanical movement, achieving the same functional result with a fundamentally different physical mechanism.
2Area of stationary object
If mechanically controlled mirrors or prisms are used for beam steering, then the laser transmitter can achieve wide field-of-regard and long range, but the system power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mirrors and prisms with an acousto-optic deflector that uses sound waves to steer the laser beam. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts while maintaining beam steering capability, directly reducing system weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The acousto-optic deflector changes the refractive index of the medium through which the laser passes by applying acoustic waves. This parameter change enables beam steering without mechanical movement, achieving the same functional result with a fundamentally different physical mechanism.
3Area of stationary object
If mechanically controlled mirrors or prisms are used for beam steering, then the laser transmitter can achieve wide field-of-regard and long range, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mirrors and prisms with an acousto-optic deflector that uses sound waves to steer the laser beam. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts while maintaining beam steering capability, directly reducing system weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The acousto-optic deflector changes the refractive index of the medium through which the laser passes by applying acoustic waves. This parameter change enables beam steering without mechanical movement, achieving the same functional result with a fundamentally different physical mechanism.
4Area of stationary object
If mechanically controlled mirrors or prisms are used for beam steering, then the laser transmitter can achieve wide field-of-regard and long range, but the failure rate increases and steering speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical mirrors and prisms with an acousto-optic deflector that uses sound waves to steer the laser beam. This substitution eliminates moving mechanical parts while maintaining beam steering capability, directly reducing system weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The acousto-optic deflector changes the refractive index of the medium through which the laser passes by applying acoustic waves. This parameter change enables beam steering without mechanical movement, achieving the same functional result with a fundamentally different physical mechanism.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables rapid, precise, and flexible steering over a large field-of-regard while reducing size, weight, and power consumption, and increasing the number of resolved spots, thus overcoming the limitations of mechanical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal waveguide (LCWG) responsive to command signals to continuously steer the linearly polarized spot-beam over a fine two-dimensional angular range
Implementation Method 2
an optical amplifier that provides substantially uniform gain over the fine angular range
Implementation Method 3
A switchable polarization grating stack provides discrete steering over a coarse angular range
Implementation Method 4
A fixed quarter waveplate (QWP) positioned at the output of the amplifier converts the linearly polarized spot-beam to a circularly polarized spot-beam
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable laser transmitter uses a two-stage architecture for beam steering. A LCWG is used to provide continuous fine steering and a PG stack is used to provide discrete coarse steering. An optical amplifier is inserted between the LCWG and the PG stack to provide gain and increase transmitter power, hence range. The LCWG is configured to limit its steering range to the acceptance angle of the optical amplifier, at most ±2°×±2°. The result is a high-power laser transmitter that can be rapidly and precisely steered over a large FOR.