# US 5,353,155 A · Methods and apparatus for combining arrays of light beams > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,353,155 A - Document ID: US5353155A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/991,635 - Filed: 1992-12-16 - Granted: 1994-10-04 - Earliest claimed: 1992-12-16 - Assignees: AT&T Bell Laboratories - Inventors: David A. B. Miller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5353155A ## CPC - G02B 27/144: {using partially transparent surfaces without spectral selectivity (G02B27/147 takes precedence)} - G02B 27/1006: {for splitting or combining different wavelengths (G02B27/1086, G02B27/141 take precedence)} - G02B 27/145: {having sequential partially reflecting surfaces} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract Arrays of light beams are combined in a manner that minimizes optical power loss by passing a first array of light beams through an angle-variant device onto a target surface while reflecting a second array of light beams off the angle-variant device onto the target surface. The light beams of the first array are arranged to strike the angle-variant device at a first family of angles at which the angle-variant device is substantially transmissive. The light beams of the second array are arranged to strike the angle-variant device at a second family of angles at which the angle-variant device is substantially reflective. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for directing a plurality of arrays of light beams onto a target surface, each array including at least two light beams, the apparatus comprising: an angle-variant device having first and second surfaces, said angle-variant device transmitting light incident thereon at a first set of incident angles and reflecting light incident thereon at a second set of incident angles; means for directing a first array of light beams onto the first surface of the angle-variant device at the first set of incident angles, such that the first array of light beams is transmitted through the angle-variant device and onto the target surface; and means for directing a second array of light beams onto the second surface of the angle-variant device at the second set of incident angles, such that the second array of light beams is reflected from the angle-variant device and onto the target surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 further comprising means for directing a third array of light beams onto the first surface of the angle-variant device at predetermined angles selected from among the first set of incident angles, such that the third array of light beams is transmitted through the angle-variant device and onto the target surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 further comprising means for directing a third array of light beams onto the second surface of the angle-variant device at predetermined angles selected from among the second set of incident angles, such that the third array of light beams is reflected from the angle-variant device and onto the target surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein the angle-variant device is a Fabry-Perot resonator. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein the angle-variant device is a diffractive optical device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second arrays of light beams is a multi-dimensional array. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The invention of claim 1 further comprising means for focusing beams of light, the focusing means being disposed between the angle-variant device and the target surface to focus light beams from the angle-variant device onto the target surface. ### Claim 8 A method for directing a plurality of arrays of light beams onto a target surface, each array comprising at least two light beams, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting a first array of light beams through an angle-variant device and onto the target surface, each light beam of the first array striking the angle-variant device at an angle of incidence at Which the angle-variant device is highly transmitting; and shining a second array of light beams at the angle-variant device, each light beam of the second array striking the angle-variant device at an angle of incidence at which the angle-variant device is highly reflecting, such that the second array of light beams is reflected onto the target surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The invention of claim 8 further comprising the step of directing a third array of light beams onto the angle-variant device at predetermined angles selected from among the first set of incident angles, such that the third array of light beams is transmitted through the angle-variant device and onto the target surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The invention of claim 8 further comprising the step of directing a third array of light beams onto the angle-variant device at predetermined angles selected from among the second set of incident angles, such that the third array of light beams is reflected from the angle-variant device and onto the target surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The invention of claim 8 wherein the angle-variant device is a Fabry-Perot resonator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The invention of claim 8 wherein the angle-variant device is a diffractive optical device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The invention of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second arrays of light beams is a multi-dimensional array. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The invention of claim 8 further comprising the step of focusing onto the target surface beams of light that are transmitted through or reflected from the angle-variant device. ### Claim 15 A method for directing a plurality of arrays of light beams onto a target surface, each army comprising at least two light beams, the method comprising the steps of: passing a first array of light beams through an angle-variant device and onto the target surface, the first array of light beams striking the angle-variant device at a first set of incident angles at which substantially all of the light from the light beams is transmitted through the angle-variant device; and reflecting a second array of light beams from the angle-variant device onto the target surface, the second array of light beams striking the angle-variant device at a second set of angles at which substantially all of the light from the second array of light beams is reflected from the angle-variant device.