Beam Shaping with Optical Array Generators

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Abstract
An array generator is an optical system that splits an incoming beam of light into an array of many ‘beamlets’. Such a multiple beam-splitting system is necessary in optical data processing, where two-dimensional arrays of optical modulators, optical logic devices or optically bistable devices have to be read out optically or have to be provided with power-supply or bias beams. Other applications include multiple imaging and space-variant processing. The number of beams within an array has to be adapted to the size of the array of optical devices, also the modal shape of each single beam has to be adapted to the acceptable modes for the individual devices. Different systems for array generation are classified and compared with respect to their relevant parameters. Methods for modal adaptation are described. The influence of coherent noise and of chromatic errors is investigated. Non-Cartesian and irregular array generators are proposed.