Method and apparatus for anamorphically shaping and deflecting electromagnetic beams

Claim 2

In a method for anamorphically shaping and deflecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, said method comprising the step of positioning a prism in the optical path of such beam, said prism having internal angles of about 90°, θ B and (90°-θ B ), where θ B is Brewster's angle, the improvement comprising the step of orienting said prism in the beam's optical path such that the beam (a) intercepts that prism face opposite the θ B angle at approximately the Brewster angle, (b) reflects from that prism face opposite the 90°-θ B angle, and (c) perpendicularly intercepts that prism face opposite the 90° angle, whereby the beam entering the prism is angularly displaced from the beam exiting the prism by 90°.

Claim 3

The method as defined by claim 1 further comprising the step of positioning an isosceles right angle prism in the optical path of the beam, said isosceles prism having two 45° acute angles and a reflective surface opposite the right angle thereof, said second prism being oriented such that the beam passes through both faces of the prism opposite the 45° angles and reflects from the reflective surface, whereby the beam, as finally deflected by said prisms, is parallel to the beam initially incident thereon.

Claim 8

Apparatus for anamorphically shaping and deflecting a beam of radiation said apparatus comprising a four-sided prism of refractive index n, said prism having (a) interior angles of 90°, 90°, θ B , and 180°-θ B , where θ B is the Brewster angle; (b) two opposing sides which converge at an angle 90°-θ B along a line of convergence, and (c) two parallel sides which are spaced apart by a distance L/n 2 , where L is the shortest distance between said line of convergence and the farthermost of said parallel sides.

Claim 9

Apparatus for anamorphically shaping and deflecting a beam of radiation said apparatus comprising a four-sided prism of refractive index n, said prism having (a) interior angles of 90°, 90°, θ B , and 180°-θ B , where θ B is the Brewster angle; (b) two opposing sides which converge at an angle 90°-θ B along a line of convergence, and (c) two parallel sides which are spaced apart by a distance L/n 2 , where L is the shortest distance between said line of convergence and the farthermost of said parallel sides.

Claim 10

In an optical system, for anamorphically shaping and deflecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, said system including: (i) a prism having internal angles of about 90°, θ B and (90°-θ B ), where θ B is Brewster's angle, (ii) means for directing an input beam into said prism and (iii) means for receiving and directing an output beam from said prism for utilization, the improvement wherein said prism is oriented in the beam's optical path such that the beam (a) intercepts that prism face opposite the θ B angle at approximately the Brewster angle, (b) reflects from that prism face opposite the 90°-θ B angle, and (c) intercepts that prism face opposite the 90° angle, whereby the beam entering the prism is angularly displaced from the beam exiting the prism by 90°.

Claim 11

In an optical system, for anamorphically shaping and deflecting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, said system including: (i) a prism having internal angles of about 90°, θ B and (90°-θ B ), where θ B is Brewster's angle, (ii) means for directing an input beam into said prism and (iii) means for receiving and directing an output beam from said prism for utilization, the improvement wherein said prism is oriented in the beam's optical path such that the beam (a) intercepts that prism face opposite the θ B angle at approximately the Brewster angle, (b) reflects from that prism face opposite the 90°-θ B angle, and (c) intercepts that prism face opposite the 90° angle, whereby the beam entering the prism is angularly displaced from the beam exiting the prism by 90°.

Claim 12

The apparatus as defined by claim 6 further comprising an isosceles right angle prism in the optical path of the beam, said isosceles prism having two 45° acute angles and a reflective surface opposite the right angle thereof, said isosceles prism being oriented such that the beam passes through both faces of the prism opposite the 45° angles and reflects from the reflective surface, whereby the beam, as finally deflected by said prisms, is parallel to the beam initially incident thereon.