Apparatus and methods for combining and separating multiple beams

摘要

A method of combining and co-aligning a plurality of radiation beams each having a respective waveband, includes the steps of passing each of said radiation beams to a respective lateral deflector to impart a selected lateral displacement to said beam. Each of said radiation beams with respective imparted lateral displacements is then passed to an optical collimating element which passes said radiation beams to an optical deflecting element which applies a wavelength dependent deflection to the radiation beams. The respective lateral displacements are selected having regard to the waveband of each beam to cause all to exit the optical deflecting element at the same angle so they are co-aligned. An apparatus for carrying out the method is presented. Additionally, an apparatus and method for separation of an input field of radiation containing a plurality of wavebands are presented; the apparatus includes an optical deflector, a focussing element and a plurality of lateral deflectors. Further, an apparatus and method for beam steering are presented; the apparatus includes a lateral deflector and a collimating element. An apparatus and method for angularly deflecting a detection beam are presented; the apparatus comprises a focussing element and a lateral deflector.