Researchers at the North Carolina State University (NCSU) have developed an energy-efficient, precise and inexpensive method of steering laser beams.
Controlling the direction of laser beams is critical for many applications. The NCSU researchers stated that redirecting the laser beams is much easier than steering the laser to a desired direction.
The team led by associate professor of electrical engineering, Dr. Michael Escuti, used "polarization gratings" to steer the laser beams. These gratings comprised of a thin liquid crystal layer on a glass plate. A device that would allow the passage of laser beam through a stack of polarization gratings was developed. Manipulating the optical properties of individual gratings, the researchers redirected the beam to the desired direction. Addition of more gratings increased the number of angles exponentially.
The new technology could be applied in laser radar, laser weapons, and in communication between satellites, or between soldiers on land and aircraft.
Source: http://www.ncsu.edu/