Solid Beam Steering Module SBSM80-1550-4×16

Overview

The solid beam steering module (SBSM) is a non-mechanical beam steering device built from cascaded liquid crystal variable retarders (LCVR) and liquid crystal polarization gratings (LCPG). Applying different voltages controls the retardation of each stage, converting the incident light into circularly polarized light. Because the diffraction of a liquid crystal polarization grating is polarization dependent, light in different circular polarization states is diffracted in different directions, and the cascaded stack steers the beam across the specified angular ranges.

Applications

• Non-mechanical beam steering and beam scanning as an alternative to mechanical steering technology
• Two-axis beam pointing at 1550 nm over x: ±1.125° and y: ±5.625°
• Large-aperture 1550 nm optical paths requiring an aperture diameter greater than Ø80 mm
• Setups that require faster response, smaller size and enhanced stability than mechanical beam steering

Construction & Performance

• Cascaded bonding of liquid crystal variable retarders and liquid crystal polarization gratings
• Operating wavelength 1550 nm; aperture diameter >Ø80 mm
• Dot matrix 4x16; diffraction efficiency ≥45%
• Response time <31 ms at 25 °C; active electronic control

Storage & Handling

• Operating temperature 25 °C
• Requires a customized controller for operation; consult WaveQuanta technical support for details
• Handle by the housing only and keep the aperture free of contact and contamination