A precision, high speed, optical beam steerer

A wide-band optical beam-steering device has been constructed which is capable of over 300 spot positions of deflection in both horizontal and vertical directions. The beam is passed through a set of mirrors made to tilt by piezoelectric elements, in response to an electrical signal, at deflection rates from 0 to 20 Kc. Optimum resolution is maintained in both horizontal and vertical steerers with a unity magnification telescope. It will be shown how effects of hysteresis and voltage nonlinearity in the piezoelectric elements may be overcome through the use of a polarization measuring technique. Experimental data on light transmission, drive power, and linearity will be presented, along with methods for minimizing the temperature sensitivity of deflection. Techniques for alignment and calibration of such a device will be discussed briefly.