Abstract A laser produces a beam of polarized coherent light which is transmitted through a polarization switching device that adjusts the orientation of the plane of polarization of the transmitted light in either one of two mutually orthogonal states in response to an input signal. The light transmitted by the polarization switching device then impinges on a transparent electro-optic crystal material whose index of refraction along its C-axis varies in accordance with the interference fringes of a preestablished holographic pattern. In one embodiment, the optical system includes an electro-optic beam deflector to provide a strongly polarization dependent digital laser beam deflection system, whereby the beam will be deflected in a different predetermined direction depending on the polarization state of the beam. In another embodiment, the optical system includes a complex optical component to provide light deflection apparatus for selectively deflecting a beam of light from a source to one of a plurality of discrete target positions.
In an optical system, the combination comprising: first means for producing a beam of polarized coherent light; beam-enlarging means disposed in the path of said light beam for providing a collimated beam of light having a given crosssectional area; second means operating on said collimated beam for selectively controlling said collimated beam to be polarized in either one of two mutually orthogonal directions in response to the application of a control signal; and optical component means disposed in the path of said collimated beam, said optical component means comprising a substantially transparent electro-optic material whose index of refraction along a given direction varies in accordance with the interference fringes of a predetermined holographic pattern that has been recorded therein, said electro-optic material being positioned in said path with said given direction oriented to deflect a significant amount of said collimated beam in accordance with said pattern to a first target position while altering the spatial cross-section of said collimated beam, said deflection occurring only when said collimated beam has one of said mutually orthogonal polarization directions and for transmitting substantially all of said collimated beam to a second target position when said collimated beam has the other of said mutually orthogonal polarization directions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
In an optical system, the combination comprising: first means for producing a beam of polarized coherent light; beam-enlarging means disposed in the path of said light beam for providing a collimated beam of light having a given crosssectional area; second means operating on said collimated beam for selectively controlling said collimated beam to be polarized in either one of two mutually orthogonal directions in response to the application of a control signal; and optical component means disposed in the path of said collimated beam, said optical component means comprising a substantially transparent electro-optic material whose index of refraction along a given direction varies in accordance with the interference fringes of a predetermined holographic pattern that has been recorded therein, said electro-optic material being positioned in said path with said given direction oriented to deflect a significant amount of said collimated beam in accordance with said pattern to a first target position while altering the spatial cross-section of said collimated beam, said deflection occurring only when said collimated beam has one of said mutually orthogonal polarization directions and for transmitting substantially all of said collimated beam to a second target position when said collimated beam has the other of said mutually orthogonal polarization directions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical system according to claim 1, wherein said material comprises an electro-optic crystal having its C-axis aligned along one of said mutually orthogonal directions.