Invention:
Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a method of beam-steering polychromatic light by controlling the angular divergence characteristics of the beam through a pre-correction element. The result is a collimated polychromatic beam exiting the device.
Background:
Mechanical beam steering devices for LIDAR use heavy and power-hungry gimbals and optical components making large mechanical motions. While non-mechanical optical steering devices exist, most use electrically controlled optical diffraction elements and normally operate over a narrow wavelength band to avoid dispersion. Others use waveguides and have small apertures. These designs are prone to failures in harsh environments and sometimes bulky.
Applications:
- Defense industry
- Autonomous vehicles
- 3D Mapping
Advantages:
- Larger aperture and faster reconfiguration rate
- Accommodates polychromatic input beam
Status: issued U.S. Patents #11,061,220 and #10,345,576
