Light beam deflection apparatus having enhanced deflection by multiple reflection

Claim 2

In combination, a source of a beam of light, a source of input signals, means including electro-optic material for deflecting said beam of light through a variable angle determined by the magnitude of a signal from said source of input signals, said electro-optic material having at least one light input surface and means including first, second and third reflector means for directing said beam of light to only said one light input surface of said electro-optic material a predetermined number of times, whereby said variable angle of deflection of said beam of light is multiplied by said predetermined number.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said electro-optic material exhibits a variable index of refraction determined by the magnitude of signals applied thereto and said deflecting Means comprises means for applying signals from said source of input signals to said electro-optic material.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 2 wherein said first and second reflector means are positioned in a facing spaced-apart relationship with said electro-optic material disposed therebetween.

Claim 5

The combination according to claim 3 wherein said directing means further includes means for initially directing said beam of light through said electro-optic material to said first reflector means, and wherein said third reflector means comprises means for directing said beam of light from said first reflector means to said second reflector means without passing through said electro-optic material.

Claim 6

The combination according to claim 4 wherein said first and second reflector means and said electro-optic material are positioned relative to each other such that when said beam of light is incident on said second reflector means it is reflected through said electro-optic material at least n times where n+1 is equal to said predetermined number of times.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 5 further comprising output means responsive to the magnitude of deflection of said beam of light after said beam of light is directed to said deflecting means said predetermined number of times.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 5 wherein said first and second reflector means comprise individual planar mirrors.

Claim 9

In combination, a source of a beam of light, a source of input signals, means for deflecting said beam of light through a variable angle determined by the magnitude of signals from said source of input signals, said deflecting means including electro-optic material, and means including first and second curved reflectors, one concave and the other convex, for directing said beam of light through said electro-optic material a predetermined number of times.

Claim 10

In combination, a source of a beam of light, a source of input signals, means for deflecting said beam of light through a variable angle determined by the magnitude of signals from said source of input signals, said deflecting means including electro-optic material, and means including first and second curved reflectors, one concave and the other convex, for directing said beam of light through said electro-optic material a predetermined number of times.

Claim 11

The combination according to claim 8 further comprising output means responsive to the magnitude of deflection of said beam of light after said beam of light exits from said electro-optic material after being directed therethrough said predetermined number of times.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 9 wherein said directing means directs said beam of light through said electro-optic material in a first direction from one of said first and second reflectors to the other of said reflectors and includes means for returning said beam of light from said other reflector to said one reflector without passing through said electro-optic material.

Claim 13

In combination; first and second light beam deflection means each comprising electro-optic material for deflecting a beam of light through a variable angle determined by the magnitude of signals applied thereto, and means including a pair of reflectors for directing said beam of light through said electro-optic material a predetermined number of times; a source of a beam of light; means for cascading said first and second light beam deflection means such that said beam of light from said source is directed to said first deflection means and after being directed through said electro-optic material thereof said predetermined number of times is directed to said second deflection means; a source of input signals; and means for applying said input signals to said first deflection means and after a predetermined delay applying said input signals to said second deflection means.

Claim 14

In combination; first and second light beam deflection means each comprising electro-optic material for deflecting a beam of light through a variable angle determined by the magnitude of signals applied thereto, and means including a pair of reflectors for directing said beam of light through said electro-optic material a predetermined number of times; a source of a beam of light; means for cascading said first and second light beam deflection means such that said beam of light from said source is directed to said first deflection means and after being directed through said electro-optic material thereof said predetermined number of times is directed to said second deflection means; a source of input signals; and means for applying said input signals to said first deflection means and after a predetermined delay applying said input signals to said second deflection means.

Claim 15

The combination according to claim 11 wherein said predetermined delay is substantially the same as the time required for directing said beam of light said predetermined number of times through the electro-optic material of said first light beam deflection means.