| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus for directing electromagnetic energy may be used as a di-rected energy weapon, illuminator for an active sens or and/or guidance system, counter- measure, or to ignite a fusion weapon; as a beam expander; for power transmi ssion by a beam; propulsion by a beam or inertial fusion; power generation from inert ial fusion; telecommunication; or computer hardware. The method and apparatus direct ele ctromag- netic energy from a source made up of an area or volume as opposed to a poin t. Electro- magnetic energy of at least one wavelength is emitted first towards a define d surface and thence to a defining surface. Each surface is either everywhere reflective o r refractive, and each point on the defined surface lies at a point of intersection of a pair of defining rays radiating from different points on or within the source. Each defining ray i s of a defining wavelength. Each defining ray is reflected or refracted by the defined surfa ce and is then incident to the same side of the defining surface at a respective further po int where it is reflected or refracted through a respective predetermined directed angle. The directed angle of a half-tangent to the defining surface which is co-planar with the two defining rays and lies at any intermediate point on the defining surface between the two respective further points is intermediate between the directed angles of two similarly orientated half- tangents which are co-planar with the two defining rays and lie at the respe ctive further points. A further ray from said source and of said defining wavelength passi ng through said point of intersection and also any one of such intermediate points is reflec ted or refracted by the defining surface through a directed angle intermediate between the tw o respective predetermined directed angles or approximately equal to one of them. The acc uracy with which the electromagnetic energy is directed is improved by the provision of a plurality of stages wherein each stage includes a defining surface together with a define d surface and the electromagnetic energy output from a stage forms the input to a further stage.
|
