LIGHT DEFLECTION BY EXTERNAL CONICAL REFRACTION

• US 3,663,090 A
• Filed: 07/10/1970
• Issued: 05/16/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wendell S. Miller
• Original Assignee: Wendell S. Miller
• Inventors: Miller, Wendell S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schonberg, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stern, Ronald J.
• Application Number:
  US05/053,902
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 350/150,151,157,189
• US Class Current: 359/301
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/29 for the control of the position or the direction of light beams, i.e. deflection

Abstract

A system for producing continuously variable displacement either spacially or angularly of a beam of linearly polarized light of appropriate collimation as specified comprising a source of linearly polarized light, a polarization rotater and an appropriately oriented optically biaxial crystal. A novel electro-optic continuous polarization rotater is provided.

Claims

1. A crystal light deflector comprising a source of plane polarized, collimated light which directs said light along a first axis, a controled source of electric energy, an electrooptic continuous polarization rotator aligned with said axis and controlled by said source of electrical energy to rotate the plane of polarization of said plane polarized light through a range of angular positions, convergent optical means to produce from said collimated light after its emergence from said electrooptic continuous polarization rotator a cone of light having an apex, a biaxial birefringent crystal positioned in the path of said light, said crystal being oriented such that the refractive path of light is directed along a generator of said cone for the development of external conical refraction therein, whereby the emission of light therefrom is in a direction determined by the control of said source of electrical energy.

2. A crystal light deflector as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an opaque shield provided with an opening therein, said opening positioned proximate the exit face of said crystal and in the path of rays of said cone externally conically refracted in said crystal.

3. A crystal light deflector as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plane polarized light has its plane of polarization oriented in a first direction and wherein said electro-optic continuous polarization rotator comprises an electro-optic phase retardation cell, said cell having its retardation axis oriented at 45* to said first direction and a quarter-wave fixed retardation element having its retardation axis parallel to said first direction, said retardation elements being aligned for the passage of light sequentially therethrough.