Double Risley prism pairs for optical beam steering and alignment

摘要

An optical communication system includes an input optical fiber, an output optical fiber, and first and second Risley prism pairs disposed in an optical path between the input optical fiber and the output optical fiber. A first actuator is configured to independently rotate a first and a second prism of the first Risley prism pair so that a first light beam is steered to be incident on the second Risley prism pair by adjusting the first Risley prism pair. A second actuator is configured to independently rotate a third and a fourth prism of the second Risley prism pair so that a second light beam is steered to be incident on the first Risley prism pair by adjusting the second Risley prism pair, providing optical beam alignment of the optical path for communication and optical switching.