Beam Steering Technologies: Principles and Applications

This lecture covers the principles and technologies of beam steering, focusing on laser applications. It begins with an overview of laser fundamentals, including gain, absorption, and spontaneous emission. The instructor discusses the importance of beam quality and the challenges of power fluctuations in lasers. The lecture then delves into various beam steering technologies, such as diffraction gratings, phased arrays, and MEMS-based systems. The instructor explains how these technologies are applied in fields like autonomous driving and LIDAR systems, emphasizing the need for precise beam directionality. The discussion includes the mechanics of reflective systems and the role of MEMS scanners in modern applications. The lecture also highlights the significance of the Poisson distribution in understanding shot noise and its impact on laser performance. Finally, the instructor illustrates how diffraction-based steering can be optimized for efficiency, providing practical examples and calculations to reinforce the concepts presented.