Optical beam tracking based on nonlinear lens mechanism
2007
Optical free-space communications involving moving parties require precise beam pointing and mutual tracking of
communicating transceivers. The existing variety of tracking techniques is still the major limiting factor in free-space
laser communications. Here we propose a technique for optical beam tracking and shaping that utilize nonlinear optical
properties of materials. In our proof-of-concept experiment a thin layer of a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) with high
thermal nonlinearity was used to produce a thermal lens induced by the incoming optical beam. That beam modulated
the NLC refractive index. As the transmitted optical beam passed through the same layer the beam intensity was
modulated in the far field. A sharp intensity maximum was formed at the distant communicating party position proving
the device's tracking capability. Numerical modeling showed very good agreement with the experiment. The technique
offers - many advantages and is simple to implement.
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