Expand this Topic clickable element to expand a topic
Skip to content
Optica Publishing Group

Chip-based nonmechanical beam steerer in the midwave infrared

Abstract

Midwave infrared (MWIR) light is critically important for a variety of applications, such as chemical sensing and LIDAR. Directional control over MWIR light is required for these applications and is typically accomplished using mechanical devices such as gimbal-mounted mirrors. Mechanical steerers, however, are subject to a host of problems, and replacing them has been a long-standing goal. In this paper, we describe the first nonmechanical beam steerer capable of continuous angular tuning in the MWIR. These devices are chip-based and provide steering in two dimensions without relying on moving parts. Previous work has demonstrated nonmechanical beam steering (NMBS) in the short-wave infrared and near infrared using a waveguide in which a portion of the propagating light is evanescently coupled to a liquid crystal (LC) layer in which the refractive index is voltage-tuned. We have extended this NMBS technology into the MWIR by utilizing a unique combination of materials, specifically chalcogenide glass waveguides and LC materials that exhibit high MWIR transparency. We explain the working principles behind these steerers, discuss material considerations for transparency in the MWIR, describe steerer fabrication, and present experimental results showing up to 14° in-plane and 0.6° out-of-plane steering.

© 2018 Optical Society of America

Full Article  |  PDF Article
More Like This
Design of prism coupling structure for liquid crystal cladding waveguide beam steerer

Zekun Bi, Quanquan Mu, Zhihui Diao, Yonggang Liu, Chengliang Yang, Zenghui Peng, Dayu Li, Weifang Fan, and Yunhui Yu
Opt. Express 31(15) 24678-24690 (2023)

Wide-angle, nonmechanical beam steering with high throughput utilizing polarization gratings

Jihwan Kim, Chulwoo Oh, Steve Serati, and Michael J. Escuti
Appl. Opt. 50(17) 2636-2639 (2011)

Reflective liquid crystal hybrid beam-steerer

Oliver Willekens, Xiaoning Jia, Michael Vervaeke, Xiaobing Shang, Tigran Baghdasaryan, Hugo Thienpont, Herbert De Smet, Kristiaan Neyts, and Jeroen Beeckman
Opt. Express 24(19) 21541-21550 (2016)

Cited By

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Cited by links are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Figures (13)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Figure files are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Tables (1)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Article tables are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Equations (4)

You do not have subscription access to this journal. Equations are available to subscribers only. You may subscribe either as an Optica member, or as an authorized user of your institution.

Contact your librarian or system administrator
or
Login to access Optica Member Subscription

Select as filters


Select Topics Cancel
© Copyright 2024 | Optica Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved