Researchers at the University of Arizona have developed a method of beam-steering polychromatic light by controlling the angular divergence characteristics of the beam through a pre-correction element. The result is a collimated polychromatic beam exiting the device. Background: Mechanical beam steering devices for LIDAR use heavy and power-hungry gimbals and optical components making large mechanical motions. While non-mechanical optical steering devices exist, most use electrically controlled optical diffraction elements and normally operate over a narrow wavelength band to avoid dispersion. Others use waveguides and have small apertures. These designs are prone to failures in harsh environments and sometimes bulky. Applications:
Advantages:
Status: issued U.S. Patents #11,061,220 and #10,345,576