Abstract
A wavelength-multiplexed optical scanning scheme is proposed for deflecting a free-space optical beam by selection of the wavelength of the light incident on a wavelength-dispersive optical element. With fast tunable lasers or optical filters, this scanner features microsecond domain scan setting speeds and largediameter apertures of several centimeters or more for subdegree angular scans. Analysis performed indicates an optimum scan range for a given diffraction order and grating period. Limitations include beam-spreading effects based on the varying scanner aperture sizes and the instantaneous information bandwidth of the data-carrying laser beam.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages (from-to) | 6425-6438 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Applied Optics |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 35 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Dec 2001 |
| Externally published | Yes |