Comparison of conventional and microlens-array agile beam steerers

Graham F. McDearmon; Kevin M. Flood; J. Michael Finlan

doi:10.1117/12.209018

12 May 1995 Comparison of conventional and microlens-array agile beam steerers

Graham F. McDearmon, Kevin M. Flood, J. Michael Finlan

Proceedings Volume 2383, Micro-Optics/Micromechanics and Laser Scanning and Shaping; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.209018
Event: Photonics West '95, 1995, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

We analyzed the optical and mechanical performance of several designs of agile beam steerers based on refractive microlens arrays for sensing and imaging applications in the visible and infrared wavebands. Ray-trace analyses showed that the best design is capable of steering narrowband illumination +/- 25 degree(s) in two dimensions with nearly diffraction-limited performance. The maximum steering angle depends on the materials. We found that imaging the field of regard takes significantly more time than scanning it unless cameras with very high frame-rates are used. We performed many parametric studies that can be used to optimize the design for any application. We compared optimal designs for microlens-array and conventional galvanometric agile beam steerers. The microlens-array agile beam steerer provides significant improvements in scanning speed, random access pointing, energy consumption, mass reduction, and volume reduction.

Citation Download Citation

Graham F. McDearmon, Kevin M. Flood, and J. Michael Finlan "Comparison of conventional and microlens-array agile beam steerers", Proc. SPIE 2383, Micro-Optics/Micromechanics and Laser Scanning and Shaping, (12 May 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.209018

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available