System and method for using planar device to generate and steer light beam

• Main Authors: GROSS MICHAEL C, PAPADAKIS STERGIOS J, FRANK JOE, RICCIARDI GERALD F, KRILL JERRY A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 18.06.2013
• Subjects: DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS, THE OPTICAL OPERATION OF WHICH ISMODIFIED BY CHANGING THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIUM OF THEDEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE INTENSITY,COLOUR, PHASE, POLARISATION OR DIRECTION OF LIGHT, e.g.SWITCHING, GATING, MODULATING OR DEMODULATING; FREQUENCY-CHANGING; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS; OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICS; PHYSICS; TECHNIQUES OR PROCEDURES FOR THE OPERATION THEREOF

The present invention provides a device is provided for use with a first through fourth light beams. The device includes a first through fourth waveguides and first through fourth light scattering portions. The first waveguide has a length and a width and is arranged to receive the first light beam, wherein the length is larger than the width. The second waveguide is parallel with the first waveguide and is arranged to receive the second light beam. The third waveguide is disposed perpendicularly to and intersecting with the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The third waveguide is arranged to receive the third light beam. The fourth waveguide is parallel with the third waveguide and is disposed perpendicularly to and intersecting with the first waveguide and the second waveguide. The fourth waveguide is arranged to receive the fourth light beam. The first light scattering portion is disposed at the intersection of the first waveguide and the third waveguide. The second light scattering portion is disposed at the intersection of the second waveguide and the third waveguide. The third light scattering portion is disposed at the intersection of the first waveguide and the fourth waveguide. The fourth light scattering portion is disposed at the intersection of the second waveguide and the fourth waveguide. The light scattering portions can scatter light normal to the waveguides.