With the increasing interest in laser satellite communications, new methods are sought to solve the existing problems of accurate and rapid laser beam deflection. Current solutions in the form of galvanometers or piezo fast steering mirrors with one or two degrees of freedom are bulky, power-consuming and slow. The Multi-Quantum Well (MQW) is a semiconductor device with unique potential to steer laser beams without any moving parts. We have conducted a preliminary evaluation of the potential application of the MQW as a laser beam-steering device for laser satellite communication, examining the performance of critical parameters for this type of communications.

Date Published: 22 January 2002
PDF: 5 pages
Proc. SPIE 4489, Free-Space Laser Communication and Laser Imaging, (22 January 2002); doi: 10.1117/12.453229

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 4489:
Free-Space Laser Communication and Laser Imaging
David G. Voelz; Jennifer C. Ricklin, Editor(s)