Thin Film Electro-Optic Beam Steering Device

This proposal addresses the needs for high-performance laser beam steering devices in imaging laser radars (LADAR). A novel thin film electro-optic beam steering device is proposed. Unlike existing technologies, this new device steers a laser beam by rotating the wavefront of the light beam using a single multi-layer element containing an oxide electro-optic thin film material. Due to the inherent temperature stability and fast response of the oxide thin film material. Due to the inherent temperature stability and fast response of the oxide thin film material, the device is expected to provide much faster beam steering in a much wider temperature range than liquid-crystal-based deflectors. The device is full thin-film construction therefore requires low driving voltage. Because of the elimination of moving parts, this device is rugged and insensitive to vibrations. This new device can be adapted for steering both the transmit and receive optics in LADAR systems in a 2-D configuration. The development of this new device presents an opportunity for breakthroughs in beam steering technology and LADAR development. A detailed Phase I work plan is given in the proposal for the fabrication of a preliminary device and the demonstration of laser beam steering.