Optical beam steering and switching by optically controlled liquid crystal spatial light modulator with angular magnification by high efficiency PTR Bragg gratings

A system for optical beam steering and switching comprising:

• an optically controlled liquid crystal spatial light modulator;
• a first laser source for providing a controlled beam that is focused at the optically controlled liquid crystal spatial light modulator;
• a second laser source for providing a controlling beam;
• a lens for aligning the controlling beam in an area of highest gradient power density of the controlling beam on the optically controlled liquid crystal spatial light modulator for optically controlled optical beam steering and switching;
• a collimator for collimating the controlled beam after the controlled beam passes through the optically controlled liquid crystal spatial light modulator;
• and
• a volume Bragg grating recorded in a photosensitive PTR glass for angular magnification of the collimated controlled beam for large angle beam deflection to provide the optical beam steering and switching.

A method comprising the steps of:

• focusing a controlled laser beam on a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a first and a second substrate;
• focusing an area of highest gradient power density of a controlling beam at a controlling wavelength on the liquid crystal layer, wherein a gradient refractive index and birefringence induced by the controlling beam causes a deflection of an e-component of the controlled beam;
• using a Bragg grating recorded in a photosensitive PTR glass for angular magnification of the controlled beam for large angle beam deflection;
• and
• adjusting an angular selectivity for small angle scanning to produce a change of diffraction efficiency from zero to approximately 100%.