Title:
BEAM STEERING DEVICES INCLUDING STACKED LIQUID CRYSTAL POLARIZATION GRATINGS AND RELATED METHODS OF OPERATION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2011/014743
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A beam steering apparatus includes a first beam steering stage and at least a second beam steering stage arranged in-line with the first beam steering stage. The first beam steering stage includes a first polarization grating comprising a uniaxial birefringent material having a first periodic director pattern, and the second beam steering stage includes a second polarization grating comprising a uniaxial birefringent material having a second periodic director pattern. In nonmechanical embodiments, a polarization selector may be arranged to provide a circularly polarized input beam incident on the first polarization grating. In mechanical embodiments, at least one of the first polarization grating and the second polarization grating may be operable to be independently rotated about an azimuth thereof. Related methods of operation are also discussed.
Inventors:
ESCUTI MICHAEL J (US)
KIM JIHWAN (US)
OH CHULWOO (US)
SERATI STEVE (US)
KIM JIHWAN (US)
OH CHULWOO (US)
SERATI STEVE (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2010/043861
Publication Date:
May 19, 2011
Filing Date:
July 30, 2010
Export Citation:
Assignee:
UNIV NORTH CAROLINA STATE (US)
BOULDER NONLINEAR SYSTEMS INC (US)
ESCUTI MICHAEL J (US)
KIM JIHWAN (US)
OH CHULWOO (US)
SERATI STEVE (US)
BOULDER NONLINEAR SYSTEMS INC (US)
ESCUTI MICHAEL J (US)
KIM JIHWAN (US)
OH CHULWOO (US)
SERATI STEVE (US)
International Classes:
G02B26/08; G02B5/30; G02F1/13
Domestic Patent References:
| WO2003083552A1 | 2003-10-09 |
Foreign References:
| US20060103778A1 | 2006-05-18 |
Other References:
KIM, J. ET AL.: "Wide-angle, nonmechanical beam steering using thin liquid crystal polarization gratings", PROCEEDINGS OF SPIE, vol. 7093, 14 August 2008 (2008-08-14), pages 709302-1 - 709302-11
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC, P.A. (Raleigh, NC, US)
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