Simulations of secondary scan patterns produced by laser scanners with a pair of rotational Risley prisms

Abstract

Laser scanners with Risley prisms are one of the most utilized 2D scanning systems. We have introduced a novel, graphical, easy-to-use method to generate exact scan patterns of such devices [V.-F. Duma, A. Schitea, <i>Proc. of the Romanian Acad. Series A</i> 19, 53-60, 2018]. This method was further on developed to study all the four possible configurations of such scanners and to deduce the angular and linear deviations they produce [V.-F. Duma, A-L.Dimb, <i>Applied Sciences</i> 11, 8451, 2021]. In the present study we investigate the way secondary scan patterns can be generated by a pair of rotational Risley prisms. While the issue of total reflections inside the prisms (and how to avoid them) has been approached, this is the first time to our knowledge that patterns using secondary reflections on the facets of the prisms are explored. Equations to obtain the scan patterns are discussed, as well as some of their characteristics.