Diffractive Optics for LADAR Scanning

This SBIR Phase I project builds upon Digital Optics Corporation's experience in the design, fabrications, and integration of diffractive optics with lasers and electronics to provide an innovative laser beam steering approach for laser radar systems. The proposed method uses a spatial light modulator in conjunction with specially designed diffractive optical elements to provide a laser beam steering system containing no moving parts. Use of the proposed methods offer potential size and performance advantages over current techniques. This Phase I effort will demonstrate the application of specialty diffractive optics to the problem of laser beam steering. Both analytical and experimental work will be performed to verify the objectiveness of the proposed project.