Broadband Beam Steering Devices for Midwave Infrared (MWIR)

ABSTRACT: Optical beam steering has a wide range of applications in optical memory, optical communication, and free-space interconnections. A variety of techniques to implement optical beam steering have been reported by means of electromechanical, acousto-optic, and electro-optic effects. Optical phased-array beam steering implemented in lithium tantalate, lithium niobate crystals, and liquid crystal were reported. Fontus Applied Technologies proposes to develop a novel MWIR beam steering system, which is based on a novel design to achieve state-of-the-art performance in several critical areas.; BENEFIT: Success in the Phase I effort will lead to the commercial fabrication of new generation of MWIR beam steering system. This advanced device will offer the potential for significant performance improvements in military and commercial applications. These advanced devices will have great applications in military, space, industrial, and consumer sectors. Examples are military target designator.