Researchers develop efficient laser-beam direction method

‘In many cases, it is much easier to redirect a laser beam at a target than to steer the laser itself. We intended to develop a way to do this efficiently and without moving anything,’ said Dr Michael Escuti, an associate professor of electrical engineering at NC State and co-author of a paper on the research. ‘We also wanted to be able to steer the beams over a wide range of angles, which is important for practical applications.’

To achieve its aims, the team used ‘polarisation gratings’, which consist of a thin layer of liquid-crystal material on a glass plate.

The researchers created a device that allows a laser beam to pass through a stack of these polarisation gratings. Researchers manipulated the optical properties of each grating and were able to steer the laser beams by controlling how each individual grating redirects the light.

‘Because each individual grating is very good at redirecting light in the desired directions with almost no absorption, the stack of gratings does not significantly weaken the laser power,’ said Escuti.