Hybrid optical beam steering
US10684531B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/24
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light beam can be steered using a non-mechanical beam steerer structure. For example, a combination of sub-aperture and full-aperture beam steering structures can be used (e.g., corresponding to regions of controlled variation in an index of refraction). The sub-aperture elements can include tapered structures defining a saw-tooth or triangular footprint in the plane in which the in-plane steering is performed. Respective rows of sub-aperture tapered structures can be configured to controllably steer the light beam in the first in-plane direction, wherein at least one row of sub-aperture tapered structures defines a first base region edge that is tipped at a first specified in-plane angle relative to a second base region edge defined by another row. Use of the tipped configuration can simplify a configuration of the beam steerer structure, such as allowing a configuration lacking a compensation plate at the input.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.