Beam deflection methods such as rotary mirrors and motorized turning optical heads suffer from a variety of electro-mechanical related problems which affect laser scanning performance. These include wobble, jitter, wear, windage and synchronization issues. A novel optical structure consisting of two concentric and cylindrical interfaces with unique optical coating properties for the static projection of a laser spot array over a wide angle is demonstrated. The resulting ray trajectory through the waveguide is modeled using linear equations. Spot size growth is modeled using previously defined ray transfer matrices for tilted optical elements. The model is validated by comparison with experimental spot size measurements for 20 transmitted beams. This novel form of spot projection can be used as the projection unit in optical sensing devices which range to multiple laser footprints.

© 2007 Optical Society of America

1. J. Besl "Active, Optical Range Imaging Sensors," Mach. Vision and Appl. 1, 127-152 (1988). [CrossRef]
2. F. Blais, "Review of 20 Years of Range Sensor Development," Electronic Imaging 13,231-240 (2004). [CrossRef]
3. G. Stutz, "Guiding Light," SPIE OE Magazine 5,25-27 (2005).
4. A. B. Colquhoun, D. W. Cowan, and J. Shepherd "Trade-offs in rotary mirror scanner design," Proc. SPIE 1454,12-19 (1991).
5. G. A. Massey and A. E. Siegman, "Reflection and Refraction of Gaussian Light Beams at Tilted Ellipsoidal Surfaces," Appl. Opt. 8,975-978 (1969). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
6. B. E. A. Saleh and M. C. Teich, Fundamentals Of Photonics (Wiley-Interscience, 1991). [CrossRef]
7. H. Kogelnik and T. Li, "Laser Beams and Resonators," Appl. Opt. 10,1550-1567 (1966). [CrossRef]

Besl, J.
Blais, F.
Colquhoun, A. B.
Cowan, D. W.
Kogelnik, H.
Li, T.
Massey, G. A.
Shepherd, J.
Siegman, A. E.
Stutz, G.

Appl. Opt.

• G. A. Massey and A. E. Siegman, "Reflection and Refraction of Gaussian Light Beams at Tilted Ellipsoidal Surfaces," Appl. Opt. 8,975-978 (1969). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
• H. Kogelnik and T. Li, "Laser Beams and Resonators," Appl. Opt. 10,1550-1567 (1966). [CrossRef]

Electronic Imaging

• F. Blais, "Review of 20 Years of Range Sensor Development," Electronic Imaging 13,231-240 (2004). [CrossRef]

Mach. Vision and Appl.

• J. Besl "Active, Optical Range Imaging Sensors," Mach. Vision and Appl. 1, 127-152 (1988). [CrossRef]

Proc. SPIE

• A. B. Colquhoun, D. W. Cowan, and J. Shepherd "Trade-offs in rotary mirror scanner design," Proc. SPIE 1454,12-19 (1991).

SPIE OE Magazine

• G. Stutz, "Guiding Light," SPIE OE Magazine 5,25-27 (2005).

Other

• B. E. A. Saleh and M. C. Teich, Fundamentals Of Photonics (Wiley-Interscience, 1991). [CrossRef]

2005, Stutz, SPIE OE Magazine
2004, Blais, Electronic Imaging
1991, Colquhoun, Proc. SPIE
1988, Besl, Mach. Vision and Appl.
1969, Massey, Appl. Opt.
1966, Kogelnik, Appl. Opt.

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