Additive manufacturing using solid state optical deflectors

An additive manufacturing apparatus comprising:

• a laser beam source configured to emit a laser beam;
• a build platform;
• a recoater configured to deposit a layer of powder onto the build platform;
• and
• a solid state optical deflector configured to modulate the laser beam in a directionally dependent two-dimensional pattern to form a beam spot on the build platform having at least one of a similar size or shape at a plurality of different locations on the build platform based on an angle of incidence of the laser beam on the build platform.

A method of additively manufacturing an object, the method comprising:

• depositing a layer of powder on a build platform;
• generating a laser beam with a laser beam source modulated at a first frequency;
• directing the laser beam to an optical switching unit, the optical switching unit modulating the laser beam at a second frequency greater than or equal to the first frequency;
• directing the laser beam from the optical switching unit to a solid state optical deflector;
• modulating the laser beam, via the solid state optical deflector, to alter a propagation direction of the laser beam;
• and
• scanning the laser beam in a predetermined scanning pattern over the build platform to melt the layer of powder in a manner that corresponds to the predetermined scanning pattern.