Dual-beam optomechanical steerer and associated methods

Abstract

A dual-beam optomechanical steerer includes first and second rotators mounted to a two-axis gimbal system. Each rotator is adjustable to control the azimuthal and elevation angles at which an optical transmitter affixed to the rotator transmits a beam of light. Thus, the two-axis gimbal system orients two optical transmitters identically while the first and second rotators orient the two optical transmitters independently with respect to the two-axis gimbal system. Examples of each rotator include a tip-tilt stage, goniometer, and rotation stage. Alternatively, a deflector may be used instead of each rotator. Examples of the deflector include an acousto-optic deflector, translatable lens, and Risley prism. The dual-beam steerer may be used to perform remote gas detection with two separate optical beams.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.