Phased
array optics (PAO) is the technology
of controlling the phase
of light waves transmitting or reflecting from a two-dimensional surface by
means of adjustable surface elements. It is the optical
analog of phased array radar. By dynamically controlling the optical properties of a surface on a microscopic
scale, it is possible to steer the direction of light beams, or the view
direction of sensors, without any moving parts. Hardware
associated with beam steering applications
is commonly called an optical
phased array (OPA)[1]. Phased array beam steering is used for optical switching and multiplexing in optoelectronic
devices, and for aiming laser
beams on a macroscopic scale.
Source
|