Patent ID: 8570645

Claim:
A device for deflecting a beam of light, said device comprising: a first deflecting member for deflecting a fraction of the beam of light by a first angle, said first deflecting member comprising a first prism comprising: a first optical member giving rise to a first index of refraction, and a second birefringent optical member having an electrically controllable optic axis giving rise to a second index of refraction, the fraction of the beam of light having a linear polarization such that said first angle is proportional to the difference between said first index of refraction and said second index of refraction, a second deflecting member for deflecting a fraction of the beam of light by a second angle, said second deflecting member comprising a second prism comprising: a third optical member giving rise to a fifth index of refraction, and a fourth birefringent optical member having an electrically controllable optic axis giving rise to a sixth index of refraction, the fraction of the beam of light having a linear polarization parallel such that said second angle is proportional to the difference between said fifth index of refraction and said sixth index of refraction, and a rotating member having at least a first state, said rotating member being configured, when in its first state, for rotating the polarization of the beam of light by 90 degrees, said rotating member being located between said first deflecting member and said second deflecting member.