Non-Mechanical Beam Steering with Polarization Gratings: A Review

Abstract

Polarization gratings (PGs) enable a novel architecture for dynamic non-mechanical steering of light over large angles and with large clear apertures. This beam steering approach has many applications in active sensing and optical communications. In this review, we describe some of the defining characteristics of this beam steering architecture and highlight several applications of the technology.

High-Precision Beam Angle Expander Based on Polymeric Liquid Crystal Polarization Lenses for LiDAR Applications

“…In consideration of all these factors and constraints, we theoretically calculated the magnification factor by setting different gap distances (d 1 ) between the OPA and BAE, as listed in Table 2. The BAE can be more compact by selecting a shorter focal length for L 1 and L 2 , according to Equation (6). However, the whole design needs to follow the restrictions and assumptions discussed above.…”

“…Beam steering [1,2] has found widespread applications in near-eye displays, microscopy, and LiDAR (light detection and ranging). Both mechanical and non-mechanical beam controls have been developed [3][4][5][6][7]. Non-mechanical beam steering promises substantial benefits, and can be fulfilled by several approaches, including electrowetting [8,9], microlens arrays [10], polarization gratings [11,12], and optical phased arrays (OPA) [1,2].…”

Generation of the Planar Solitons Using Thermal Trapping of a Disclination in Nematic Liquid Crystals and Their Applications

“…Using the soliton, a polarization diffraction grating can be generated. This is because the structure of the soliton is in the form of a π-wall, which corresponds to one period of the general liquid crystal polarization diffraction grating [33][34][35][36][37] and therefore shows a diffraction depending on the polarization. By trapping and moving the topological charge freely using the thermal laser tweezer to create a soliton, the polarization diffraction grating with a high degree of freedom is easily generated.…”

Non-mechanical beam steering for large field of regard global shutter flash LiDAR

“…A wide FOV capability can be provided using non-mechanical beam steering optics. Boulder Nonlinear Systems (BNS) has developed a Liquid Crystal Polarization Grating (LCPG) components for wide-angle step-and-stare beam steering [1][2][3][4][5]. Pairing ASC's and BNS's core technologies provides a wide Field of Regard (FOR) with a narrow field of view (FOV) provided in incremental steps.…”