US 11,719,949 B2
Laser illumination system with closely spaced beams
Daniel N. Kokubun, Waipahu, HI (US); Mark S. Branham, Oro Valley, AZ (US); Sidney Pang, Kaneohe, HI (US); and Mark Segawa, Wahiawa, HI (US)
Assigned to BAE Systems Informaton and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, NH (US)
Filed by BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc., Nashua, NH (US)
Filed on Jun. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/842,913.
Application 17/842,913 is a division of application No. 16/546,758, filed on Aug. 21, 2019, granted, now 11,391,959.
Prior Publication US 2022/0342227 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. G02B 27/10 (2006.01); G02B 27/48 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 27/108 (2013.01) [G02B 27/48 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A laser illumination system comprising:
a semi-cylindrical refractive optical block, the optical block including a curved surface and a planar surface;
a first laser source to generate a first laser beam directed to the planar surface, wherein the first laser beam enters the optical block at a first angle that exceeds a critical angle, relative to the planar surface, the critical angle causing total internal reflection, such that the first laser beam is refracted through and exits the optical block; and
a second laser source to generate a second laser beam directed to the curved surface, wherein the second laser beam enters the optical block at a second angle that exceeds the critical angle, relative to the planar surface, such that the second laser beam is reflected off the planar surface and exits the optical block parallel to, and having a separation from, the first laser beam exiting from the optical block, the separation based on a location of the entry of the first laser beam into the optical block.