Abstract: An apparatus for examining the surface of a substrate comprises irradiating means for supplying a light beam which scans the surface of the substrate, first and second light-receiving means for individually receiving scattered lights travelling in different first and second directions from the surface of the substrate and individually producing first and second output signals conforming to the intensities of the received lights, and means for discriminating the directional characteristics of the scattered lights on the basis of the time phase shift between the first and second output signals.

Abstract: A portable laser diode scanning head, aimable at each symbol to be read, emits and receives non-readily-visible laser light, and is equipped with a trigger-actuated aiming, light arrangement for visually locating and tracking each symbol. A compact laser diode optical train and an optical folded path assembly, as well as an interchangeable component design and an integral window construction for the head also are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the thickness of a thin film utilizing an interferometric method includes a light source for generating a monochromatic light beam, a scanner for scanning the light beam on a thin film in such a manner that an incident angle thereto is continuously varied from .alpha. to (-.alpha.), a first detector for detecting the incident angle of the light beam and a second detector for detecting an interference pattern caused by light beams reflected from the top and bottom surfaces of the thin film. The thickness of the thin film is obtained in accordance with a geometrical optical relationship defined between adjacent fringes contained in the detected interference pattern.

Abstract: A laser beam scanning apparatus comprises a first mirror provided for reflecting a light path between a deflector and recording medium, a beam detecting sensor for determining a start position for recording by the beam on the recording medium, and a second mirror for guiding the beam reflected by the first mirror to the sensor. The second mirror is arranged such that the beam from the first mirror is guided to the sensor after it is reflected at least one time by said first mirror. In addition, the second mirror is arranged such that on the equation .theta..sub.2 =2.theta..sub.1 is satisfied where .theta..sub.1 and .theta..sub.2 respectively denote the inclination of the first and the second mirrors to a plane orthogonal to a surface of scanning of the beam.

Abstract: A light beam scanning apparatus scans an object such as a stimulable phosphor sheet by applying a light beam deflected in a main scanning direction to the object while moving the object in an auxiliary scanning direction substantially normal to the main scanning direction. The light beam scanning apparatus includes first and second light detectors such as photodiodes juxtaposed in the main scanning direction and having respective light detecting surfaces extending in the auxiliary scanning direction. The first and second light detectors produce respective output signals at a predetermined ratio when the light beam for scanning the object in the main scanning direction is in a reference main scanning position, and produce respective output signals at a ratio varied from the predetermined ratio when the light beam is deviated from the reference main scanning positon.

Abstract: In an optical scanning apparatus, a scanning lens is composed of three lens elements. The centrally located lens element of the scanning lens has a refractive power in the direction for correcting the surface tilt, that is, an inverted number of a focal length that is changed in accordance with the scanning view angle, whereby curvature of field is well corrected and RMS spot diameters on the scanning surface may be small. In addition, even if the view angle is increased, imaging characteristics may be kept at a high resolving power.

Abstract: A scanning has a spinning mirror and an array of peripheral stationary mirrors which generate a scan pattern for reading bar codes. The backscatter from the bar code is collected by the peripheral mirrors and focused by an imaging lens. A housing is provided over the spinning mirror to reduce windage. The drive motor for the spinning mirror is mounted in front of the of the between the peripheral mirrors and the bar code. A backscatter detector is mounted behind the at the focal point of the imaging lens.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pyramid polygon scanner without cylinder optics wherein the effects of jitter are reduced by the use of a start of scan detector situated at a predetermined angle from the normal (vertical) position. The start of scan detector is rotated about an axis through the nominal scan line. Thus, if tilt (not the draft angle) is present in the rotating polygon system and jitter is generated, the rotation angle of the split detector moves the jitter to the beginning and end of scan, leaving the center of scan free of the effects of jitter. The angle of the split detector is in approximate relation to the angle of incidence at the first reflection on the rotating polygon.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for use in generating a scan timing signal in a laser raster scanner includes an optical diffuser positioned to receive a scanned reference beam through a reference mask. The diffused, modulated reference beam is presented to an array of photodetectors. The number of photodetectors in the array is selected to be sufficient so that at least two photodetectors receive the diffused modulated reference beam simultaneously as the reference beam is scanned along the reference mask.

Abstract: An optical system, useful for a flying-spot scanning apparatus includes a laser tube, an acousto-optical modulator, a deflecting mirror directing the laser beam in a first direction, and an objective lens having the characteristic of h=f.multidot.sin .theta., where h is the distance on an object between the optical axis and the point upon which the laser beam impinges, f is the focal length of the objective lens and .theta. is the angle formed by the beam entering the objective lens with respect to the optical axis. The objective lens includes a first optical unit having the negative focal length and a second optical unit having a positive focal length. The third-order distortion coefficient of the objective lens is approximately "1". Straight and parallel scanning loci can be effected on a recording medium, as the recording medium is fed in a second direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring surface defects or the distance from the apparatus to a surface comprising means (37,38,43,44) for passing a beam (48) of light to the surface (11) at an angle other than normal, means (51) for viewing the area (47) of the surface (12) illuminated by the beam (48) and means (53-50) for measuring the movement of the illuminated area (47) whereby the measure the position of the illuminated area (47), means (17) being provided to rotate the apparatus and means (53) being provided to derotate the image of the illuminated area so as to enable, for example, the interior of cylinders (10) to be inspected.

Abstract: A compact optical scanning system comprises a portable enclosure structure having a cover portion which includes a glass enclosed aperture over which a UPC label attached to a purchased merchandise item is moved. Mounted within the enclosure is a laser whose output coherent light beam is reflected along a path extending in a direction parallel to the cover portion by mirrors and a bifocal lens member mounted on a shelf extending between opposite sidewalls of enclosure. One of the mirrors mounted on the shelf reflects the laser beam in a downward direction at a rotating multifaceted mirrored member mounted on and directly beneath the shelf and the bifocal lens. The rotating mirrored spinner directs the laser beam at a plurality of pattern mirrors which redirects the received laser beam towards the aperture, forming a scan pattern thereat for scanning the UPC label.

Abstract: A synchronizing device is used in a laser printer which comprises a polygonal mirror for periodically deflecting a laser beam which scans a scanning plane and a photodetector provided on the scanning plane outside a region in which a printing is made by the laser beam for outputting an output signal when the laser beam is detected. The output signal of the photodetector is used for producing an image scan clock signal which synchronizes each scan of the laser beam.

Abstract: A method of correcting unevenness in scanning lines in a light beam scanning apparatus having a mechanical scanning light beam deflector which rotates about a rotational axis to deflect a scanning light beam in a main scanning direction and a correcting light beam deflector for deflecting the scanning light beam in a sub-scanning direction, comprising steps of continuously detecting deflection of the rotational axis of the scanning light beam deflector to obtain nonperiodic deviation of the scanning light beam in the sub-scanning direction, storing the difference between a position of the scanning light beam detected at a starting point immediately before the effective scanning range and the nonperiodic deviation of the scanning light beam as a starting point deviation, storing the difference between a position of the scanning light beam detected at an end point immediately behind the effective scanning range and the nonperiodic deviation of the scanning light beam as an end point deviation, successively calc

Abstract: A beam deflector device in which two light beams from two light sources are simultaneously applied through movable reflectors to a beam deflector scanning a drum. The beams are also applied, through a beam splitter to two photodetectors used to control the position of the respective reflector. The two beams are separated before they are applied to the photodetectors by means of polarization plates, color filters, diffraction gratings or prisms.

Abstract: A system for locating an object in latitude and longitude is disclosed. A rotating and oscillating mirror makes a laser beam deflect. A sensor fixed to the object indicates the locating instant. A screen that scatters and/or reflects towards a second sensor, on which are stretched reflecting and/or scattering cords, provides latitudinal and longitudinal position-identification of the deflection of the beam. The invention can be applied to robotics.

Abstract: A high sensitivity fluorescence and absorption detector comprising an elongated substantially cylindrical flow cell connected to and receiving the outflow of a fluid chromatography column; a mechanism for projecting a fluorescence generating beam of electromagnetic energy along on an axis substantially coincident with the axis of the flow cell; the flow cell including an elongated substantially cylindrical midsection housed by a tubular capillary transparent to the fluorescent radiation generated by the beam; a fluorescence integrating sphere completely surrounding the midsection of the capillary, the integrating sphere collecting at least about 3 pi steradian of the fluorescent radiation emanating through the capillary tube and into the sphere; the beam being projected to enter one end of the cylindrical flow cell, focus at about the center point of the axis of the cylindrical midsection, emanate through the other end of the flow cell and impinge upon a photodetector for detecting the portion of the beam whi

Abstract: A variable phase time delay and signal aggregation ssystem is disclosed. The invention is adapted for use in scanning detection system and serves to maintain spatial resolution on a target surface independent of scan angle. The invention includes means for detecting electromagnetic signals from the surface area. The detector means includes a plurality of detector elements. Each detector element generates a corresponding first plurality of output signals representative of the response of the detector to energy received from the surface area within the field of view of the detector as the detection system scans through a predetermined range. Control means are included for selectively clocking the output signals from the detector elements to phase the relative timing thereof as a function of the scan angle. Means are included to aggregate these signals to generate a combined output signal having the predetermined spatial resolution.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for providing a predetermined surface scan velocity of the projected field of view of a scanning instrument. The invention is adapted for use in a scanning instrument having scan drive means including an inertial element and detector means coupled to the inertial element for detecting or projecting radiation during a scan. The invention includes cam means mechanically coupled to said inertial element and supported, by a frame, to pivot therewith. The cam means includes a cam having a contour which is varied to provide a specific surface scan velocity profile for the projected field of view. A spring is coupled to the cam via a bearing which translates in response to the contour of the cam as the cam and the inertial element pivot during scan. The spring is attached to the frame to maintain the bearing in contact with the cam. The spring effectively stores energy from and restores energy to the inertial element via the bearing and the cam.

Abstract: A light beam scanning apparatus wherein a light beam deflected by a rotating polygon mirror is scanned on a scanning surface in a main scanning direction, and the scanning surface is moved with respect to the light beam in a sub-scanning direction, comprises a reference beam emitting system for generating a reference beam of a predetermined intensity and making for the reference beam impinge upon the rotating polygon mirror. The apparatus also comprises a photodetector for measuring the intensity of the reference beam deflected by the rotating polygon mirror, and a control circuit for receiving the output of the photodetector and adjusting the intensity of the light beam in accordance with the level of the intensity of the reference beam which is represented by the output of the photodetector.

Abstract: A method of correcting unevenness in scanning lines in a light beam scanning apparatus having a mechanical scanning light beam deflector which rotates about a rotational axis to deflect a scanning light beam in a main scanning direction and a correcting light beam deflector for deflecting the scanning light beam in a sub-scanning direction, comprising steps of continuously detecting deflection of the rotational axis of the scanning light beam deflector to obtain nonperiodic deviation of the scanning light beam in the sub-scanning direction, storing the difference between a position of the scanning light beam detected at a starting point immediately before the effective scanning range and the nonperiodic deviation of the scanning light beam as a starting point deviation, storing the difference between a position of the scanning light beam detected at an end point immediately behind the effective scanning range and the nonperiodic deviation of the scanning light beam as an end point deviation, successively calc

Abstract: In a deflection scanning optical system, a single first mirror is arranged between a laser beam source and a surface to be scanned. The first mirror has a first reflecting section, a second reflecting section and a transparent section. The laser beam from the laser beam source is reflected by the first reflecting section. A second mirror is provided for reflecting the laser beam reflected by the first reflecting section, toward the second reflecting section. The second mirror also reflects the laser beam reflected by the first reflecting section to transmit the reflected laser beam through the transparent section, thereby directing the transmitted laser beam toward the surface to be scanned. A detector received the laser beam reflected by the second mirror toward the second reflecting section and reflected by the same, for detecting a scanning position of the laser beam with respect to the surface to be scanned.

Abstract: The invention provides a light beam scanning device in which an f-.theta. lens system is constituted by two single lenses, a cylindrical lens having a refractive power in only a deflection plane is located at the side of a deflective reflecting surface, and a toric lens including a surface having a negative refractive index at the side of the deflective reflecting surface and including a surface having a positive refractive power at the side of a surface to be scanned in a sectional plane perpendicular to the deflection plane is located at the output side of the cylindrical lens, thereby realizing scanning at a constant speed of an image-forming beam while preventing pitch variations in the beam and image surface curvature thereof on the surface to be scanned. More particularly, the invention provides a light beam scanning device in which a plastic lens can be used as the cylindrical lens.

Abstract: To detect a line position described on a surface by a simple structure, the line position detecting apparatus comprises a light beam generator including a laser diode, a collimator, a prism, and a mirror; a motor for rotating a laser beam to describe a circular locus on the surface; an encoder for detecting a laser beam angular position; a photosensor for detecting a laser beam reflected from the surface; and a calculator for detecting an angular position at which light beam intensity changes due to the presence of the line at at least one point of intersection between the line and the circular locus and for calculating the point indicated by x-y coordinates on the basis of the diameter of the circular locus and the detected angular position of a line to be detected.

Abstract: A light beam scanning apparatus is constituted for scanning a light beam deflected by a rotating polygon mirror on a scanning surface in a main scanning direction, moving the scanning surface with respect to the light beam in a subscanning direction, and generating a picture element clock signal. The light beam scanning apparatus comprises photodetectors for respectively detecting passage of the light beam over a main scanning start point and passage thereof over a main scanning end point, and a clock signal generating circuit for receiving outputs of the photodetectors, calculating the time required for the main scanning for each of the mirror surfaces of the rotating polygon mirror, and changing a period of the picture element clock signal in the course of each main scanning so that the period is proportional to the required time with respect to the mirror surface utilized for the main scanning.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for inspecting, for example, sheet material, in which a beam of radiation 12 is scanned across a sheet 13 by means of a first facet 41 of a rotating mirror drum 22. Scattered radiation from the sheet is received by a second facet 46 and 2 is passed to a photodetector 49 for analysis.

Abstract: An optical scanning pattern generator device (10) is provided to include a laser beam generator (14) for generating a beam (16) which is caused to trace a scan pattern (76) within a scan zone (24) by a scattering system (20). The unique scattering system (20) includes a rotating mirror (44) for directing the beam (16) radially outward in a circle within a rotation plane (42). A rotating prism ring (50), rotating at a different rate than the rotating mirror (44) refracts the beam from the rotation plane (42), the amount of refraction being dependent on the particular prism element (52) within the ring (50) which is intersected by the beam (16). The refracted beam then is reflected toward the scan zone (24) by one of a series of fixed mirrors (58) which are circumferentially arranged about the prism ring (50). The beam (16) may be reflected off of a scan object (26) and collected in collection apparatus (28).

Abstract: An apparatus for the non-contacting measurement of rod-shaped objects contains a telecentric, F-theta-corrected objective which comprises two catadioptric elements. The first catadioptric element is a Mangin mirror and the second catadioptric element is a plane plate mirror-coated at the front, while a third optical element is a meniscus lens. The use of catadioptric elements permits a simplified and inexpensive form of construction which is also compact, as a result of which objects with large dimensions can be measured quickly and accurately. Such an apparatus serves, in particular, for the continuous control of the production of filament-shaped objects.

Abstract: A method of scanning a web material and an apparatus for use in the method in which a web material is spatially divided into smaller divisions in a scanning direction while being scanned in the direction of a width thereof with a scanning beam moved by means of a polyhedral mirror with a constant speed of rotation. Clock pulses from a pulse generator are counted up by a counter to access division data in a storing means to provide division signals according to which the width of the web material is spatially divided in the scanning direction.

Abstract: An improved optical system having an opto-mechanical scanner for increasing the duty cycle of the scanner while maintaining a constant optical aperture throughout the scan. Two alternating optical paths are provided between the scanner and a transducer by use of an optical multiplexer synchronized with the scanner rotation.

Abstract: Scanner arrangement which incorporates at least one rotatable unit (15) provided with one or more reflecting facets (16) positioned in the beam path of the scanner arrangement so as to deflect the beam path during a scan. Reflection against the facets takes place within a material (17) having a refractive index greater than 1. The scanning facet against which reflection takes place appears to change from the aspect of the beam path within the material, whereas a transition surface between the material and air appears to be stationary from the aspect of the beam path, or at least moves in space irregularly with movement of the scanning facet.

Abstract: An improved high-resolution laser scanner is able to make each mirror facet of a rotating polygon mirror generate two or more scanning beams through the use of beam splitting and projection by a beam splitter so as to increase the scanning speed and enhance the resolution quality. By means of adjustable reflectors, the two or more scanning beams are made to non-simultaneously impinge on the center of the same facet of the polygon mirror, wherefrom the scanning beams are focussed through a lens onto a photo-conductive drum.

Abstract: A compact optical scanner includes a base unit and a scan unit. The base unit includes an optical source such as a laser and an optical path directing a beam emitted by the laser to a scan mirror which is located in and supported by the scan unit. As the scan mirror rotates, the optical beam is reflected back to the base unit from which it is emitted as a beam scanning to and fro in a scan plane. The scan unit is supported by reference to the base unit such that the oscillation axis of the scan mirror is substantially and preferably parallel to the scan plane.

Abstract: A high resolution optical scanner is disclosed for scanning a light beam onto a receiving medium. The scanner includes a light source for generating a light beam, optical means for anamorphically shaping the beam, and a rotatable polygon for moving the light beam through a predetermined scan angle. In order to obtain high resolution throughout a scan line, a mirror, having power in the tangential plane and in the sagittal plane, is positioned to intercept the beam from the polygon and direct it to the receiving medium.

Abstract: A novel fiber optic rotary coupler for coupling an optical signal between noncontacting opposing surfaces of moving first and second members, includes an optical fiber with the optical signal propagating therein disposed on a microbending means. The microbending means is formed on the first member opposing surface and induces a plurality of lossy microbends in the optical fiber. A portion of the optical signal laterally propagates therethrough across to the second member's opposing surface to a detector positioned therein.

Abstract: An optical imaging system is provided with a pulsed laser rangefinder comprising a transmitter 10 aligned with the boresight of the imaging system, the return pulse being focussed by the telescope 6 of the imaging system upon its multi-mirror, two-rotor arrangement 2, 3 and reflected then to a detector 12 and display 13. To eliminate the effect of rotor rotation during the time-of-travel of the pulse, the latter is first reflected from the rotors to a beam reverser 14 including a 90 degree roof-reflector 18 (FIG. 2), which reflects the pulse back to the rotor mirrors in the same vertical plane and then to detector 12 along a path having a fixed spatial relationship to the path to the imaging-system detector 8.

Abstract: A light beam scanner includes a focus-varying mechanism disposed in a light beam path between a light beam source and a rotating polygonal mirror for adjusting focus position of a light beam as it falls on the rotating polygonal mirror, and a control circuit arrangement for controlling the focus-varying mechanism in synchronism with rotation of the rotating polygonal mirror so that the light beam can fall on the rotating polygonal mirror as a correct linear image at all times for thereby focusing the light beam as a spot image on the image-carrying surface being scanned.

Abstract: A fixed position optical scanner with a multi-faceted holographic disk includes circuitry for adjusting the lockout voltage as a function of the focal length of the active facet. The disk position is tracked to identify the active facet. A facet identifying signal is used to address a lockout table in processor memory. A digital value retrieved from the lockout table is converted to analog form and applied through a resistor to a voltage divider in the threshold circuit. The voltage divider scales down a white peak following voltage and compares it to a black peak following voltage. The facet-dependent lockout voltage biases the junction of the voltage divider to vary the effective lockout voltage as a function of the focal length of the currently active facet.

Abstract: A synchronizing light beam detecting apparatus is provided in a light scanning system, such as a laser printer, which includes a light source for emitting a light beam, a polygonal mirror driven to rotate for deflecting the light beam over a predetermined angle repetitively, and a f.theta. lens for focusing the deflected beam along a predetermined imaginary scanning line. The detector includes a cylindrical lens for receiving the light beam passing through the f.theta. lens and picked up at a predetermined position and a detector surface for receiving the light beam passing through the cylindrical lens. A conjugate relation is established between the light beam deflecting point at the polygonal mirror and the detector surface so that the effect of inclination of a mirror surface of the polygonal mirror is cancelled. The detector surface is so located that the light beam is formed thereon only by the image-forming action of the f.theta.

Abstract: A pair of rotating gimbals (12, 14) independently nutate and precess the line-of-sight (24) of a sensor (22) to generate a rosette pattern (26).

Abstract: In order to scan a rather large field of view quickly, the field of view is imaged, by an imaging optical system, in the plane of a detector having a substantially linear array of detector elements. The path of rays comprises a rotating optically refracting wedge for causing a nutating movement of the image and, coaxial therewith a rotating Dove prism for causing rotation of the image. The wedge and the Dove prism rotate at different rotary speeds.

Abstract: In an opto-mechanical scanner with associated scanning and ranging functions the scanning beam, obtained by line-scanning means and frame-scanning means, and the ranging beam converge on a scanning detector array and on a ranging detector, respectively. According the invention, the scanning and ranging beams traverse an arrangement of fixed optical elements which are arranged to ensure that the beams follow two different optical paths in such a way that the ranging beam traverses the line-scanning means two times. This ensures that the ranging beam has a fixed orientation which is independent of the line-scanning means.

Abstract: In an opto-mechanical scanner combining scanning and ranging functions the scanning beam, obtained from line-scanning means and frame-scanning means, and the ranging beam converge on a scanning detector array and a ranging detector, respectively. In accordance with the invention, the scanning beams and the ranging beams traverse an arrangement of fixed optical elements which are arranged to ensure that the beam each follow two different optical paths such that the ranging beam bypasses the line-scanning means. This ensures that the ranging beam has a fixed spatial orientation which is independent of the line-scanning means.

Abstract: In the invention, a light beam is scanned along a surface bearing data, such as a serial number. Reflected light is measured and processed for character recognition. The invention wobbles or dithers the light beam during the scan, and takes reflectivity measurements several times within a region on the surface, the region being called a pixel. This procedure enhances the reflectivity signature of edges, thus improving the ability to recognize characters.

Abstract: A pixel placement sensing arrangement, useable in a spatial synchronization system, having a split photodetector, RC integrating circuits having time constants long relative to the exposure time of the photodetector connected to the respective halves of the split photodetector such that the current accumulated in the capacitors of the integrating circuits results in voltages proportional to the respective exposures of the halves of the photodetector, and a different amplifier which provides an output reflective of any difference in said voltages.

Abstract: In an optical measuring device which comprises a polygonal rotary mirror for reflecting an incident light beam into a rotary scanning light beam, a collimator lens for converting the rotary scanning light beam into a parallel scanning light beam and a light receiving element for detecting bright and dark portions of the parallel scanning light beam, which has scanned a work to be measured, and a time duration of the dark portion or the bright portion is detected, which has been generated by the obstruction of a part of the parallel scanning light beam by the work, to thereby determine a dimension of the work, the collimator lens is made to be an f.theta. lens having such a spherical aberration that a light beam incident from the outlet side of the collimator lens toward the polygonal rotary mirror in parallel to the optical axis of the lens intersects the optical axis of the lens at a position shifted from a focal point on the inlet side to the outlet side by .DELTA.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for reading contiguous, conterminous, parallel data lines (76) of minute, rectangular bits of information printed on a substrate (2) and together forming a data strip (3) with its length, perpendicular to the data lines (76).The reader (1) includes alignment means for holding the strip (5) and includes data line scanning means (33, 40, 130) on a chassis (20) which moves longitudinally of the data strip (3) while simultaneously and synchronously scanning the tranverse data lines (76) at a rate that scans each data line a plurality of times. An infra-red light source (50) illuminates the data line (76) being scanned, and crossed cylindrical lenses (30, 32, 40, 130), moving relative to each other and to the data strip (3), focus individual scanned bits upon a matched infra-red detector (42).Multiples (33) of one of the cylindrical lenses, mounted on a rotating drum (44), are used to increase speed of operation.

Abstract: The method of reading data from a data record carrier on which data has been recorded in arcuately nested, equal radii data rows which are equally spaced apart along a common centerline that is coextensive with a radius for each data row, comprises the steps of: incrementally moving the data record carrier in steps transversely of the data rows; projecting a light beam onto the plane in which the data record carrier moves; rotating the light beam about an axis parallel to the axis of said light beam to rotate said light beam in an arcuate path across the data record carrier, the radius of the arcuate path being the same or approximately the same radius of each data row; detecting scattered light outside the cone of specular reflection from the light beam impinging on the data record carrier, or the lack of scattered light, as the light beam traverses each data row; and sensing, and correcting for, difference between the arcuate path of said light beam and the arcuate path of the data row being traversed by sa

Abstract: A scanning horizon sensor for indicating orientation by sensing a line of discontinuity in optical radiation in a field of view between a reference body and outer space is provided in which a scanning turret is mounted on one end of a motor shaft of any conventional design or make. A detector is positioned on the optical axis of the horizon sensor for detecting optical radiation applied thereto by the scanning turret generating detector signals in accordance with the intensity of the optical radiation applied. The motor shaft is provided with a small hole drilled axially through the motor shaft which houses an optical fiber which serves to transfer the focal point from one end of the motor shaft to the other where a stationary lens focuses the radiation emitted from the outer end of the optical fiber onto the detector.

Abstract: A rotating polygonal mirror which scans a target both vertically and horizontally in a raster scan electromagnetic illumination or detection system is disclosed. The rotating mirror includes a plurality of individual planar facets disposed around the periphery of the mirror. The facets are arranged so that each of them intersects the principal axis of rotation of the mirror at a predetermined angle characteristic of the particular facet. A perpendicular to each facet drawn from the substantial center of the facet in its horizontal dimension passes through the axis of rotation. By this geometry, a target is scanned by horizontal scan lines in a manner which is equivalent to prior art mirrors having a plurality of facets all of which are parallel to the axis of rotation, and the vertical stepping of the raster scan is accomplished by stepping between adjacent facets of the mirror having distinct angles of intersection with the axis of rotation.