Abstract

Circular-scan optical deflectors are described that do not require a polarization rotator between the deflecting elements. The elements can be of the split-prism type, in which a uniform electric field is applied to a split prism of electro-optic material, or of the quadrupole-field type, in which a linear gradient of electric field is applied, via quadrupole electrodes, to a single rod of material. When the material is potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP), a scan system composed of two quadrupole deflectors promises to be more attractive than a system composed of two prism deflectors, because the required drive voltage is lower, and the power dissipated within the electro-optic material is reduced by a factor of 2. At high scan frequencies, the choice will depend strongly on the relative ease of correcting the heat-induced aberrations of each system.

© 1972 Optical Society of America

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