Abstract: A beam-steering element made of a more optically-active material, potassium tantalate niobate, with an improved diffraction efficiency, having a plurality of electrode layers and one electro-optic crystal layer interposed between every two adjacent electrode layers. Each electro-optic crystal layer and the electrode layer adjacent thereto have an aspect ratio of about 1:1. The electrode layers and the electro-optic crystal layers are interposed between two substrates. Preferably, the substrates are transparent to an incoming beam to be modulated by the electro-optic crystal layer.

Abstract: An electro-optic crystal based beam-steering device preferably based on KTN, having a first deflector and a second deflector. The first deflector has a pair of substrates each having a plurality of first electrode lines extending along a first direction and a plurality of electro-optic crystal modulators interposed between the first electrode lines. The second deflector has a pair of substrates each having a plurality of second electrode lines extending along a second direction and a plurality of electro-optic crystal modulators interposed between the second electrode lines. The first direction is orthogonal to the second direction.

Abstract: An integrated optical parametric oscillator, having an optical parametric oscillation region to convert a pump source into a signal beam and an idler beam, and a fine-steering region to adjust optical path of the signal beam in order to finely select a required wavelength component of the signal beam. The optical parametric oscillator is contoured with a plurality of exterior planes with specific reflective characteristics to form a resonator of the idler beam while reflecting and diffracting the signal beam with a desired wavelength.

Abstract: An optical tag, having a photo-detector, a controller, a piezoelectric translator, a battery and a retro-reflective tape. The photo-detector is responsive to an optical energy at a predetermined wavelength, and the controller is connected to the output of the photo-detector. The piezoelectric translator connected to controller is also connected to the battery when the photo-detector responds to the optical energy. The retro-reflective tape is directly mounted on the piezoelectric translator. When the connection between the piezoelectric translator and the battery is established, a pulse is generated and applied to the retro-reflective tape. Therefore, the optical energy incident on the retro-reflective tape is modulated by the pulse and retro-reflected by the retro-reflective tape.

Abstract: An electronically modulated prism, having a bulk crystal, a plurality of electrode pads formed on a top surface of the bulk crystal, and a common electrode formed on a bottom surface of the bulk crystal. The bulk crystal is optically isotropic with zero electric field applied thereto and optically anisotropic when subjected to a non-zero electric field. More specifically, the bulk crystal between each of the electrode pads and the common electrode has an index of fraction altered proportionally to the electric field applied thereto, such that an incident beam propagate through the crystal is modulated with an accumulated phase shift.

Abstract: A conformal all-reflective beam-steering (CARBS) device is provided which is a hybrid of a mirror and one-axis gimbal assembly mounted on a rotating carriage. The CARBS device functions as a coarse-steering element in an electro-optical tracking system. The one-axis gimbal only has to steer over 0-45° elevation (El), rather than the more typical +/?45° El. To provide a full field of regard (FOR), the present invention relies on a rotating carriage to rotate 360°. The present invention facilitates the full FOR by positioning a mirror and one-axis gimbal assembly close to the exit pupil window. Further, the present invention takes advantage of decentration and off-axis parabolic reflectors to maintain a small footprint. This compact design allows for lower system inertia, which reduces power draw, and further provides a system which may be package to meet upcoming military modular packaging requirements.

Abstract: An optical head is provided for a free space optical communications system. The optical head is utilized for transmitting and receiving modulated infrared laser beams. The optical head includes an optical amplifier, a circulator, an ultrafine-steering element, a fine-steering element, a course-steering element, and a fine track sensor. Additionally, a method is provided for facilitating airborne free space optical communications between an airborne host platform and a link platform. Each platform has an optical head which transmits and receives data via modulated infrared laser beams, wherein the host includes at least an optical head having a fine, coarse, and ultrafine steering element configured in a cascaded three-tier steering element architecture.