| The objective of this thesis is to design, build, and evaluate a novel beam steering technology for satellite applications. The desired characteristics are rapid (;The implementation presented in this thesis is based on a phased-array geometry of quantized increasing phase steps. The individual modulating elements operate on the principal of geometric phase and are capable of achieving nearly 360;The chiral smectic liquid crystal half-wave retarders have the following characteristics: they are monostable and exhibit quasi-uniform switching. Additionally, the quiescent state for these devices is uniform, as is the extreme switched state. These characteristics arise from a combination of unique material properties and the application of a novel electric field treatment developed during the course of this research.;Both scalar and vector diffraction theory are used to predict beam deflector performance. The number of resolvable spots is predicted using Fourier Analysis. A coupled wave model for chiral smectic liquid crystal gratings has been developed to predict diffraction efficiency, and is subsequently used to characterize the beam deflector implementation.;The beam deflector implementation demonstrates the fundamental feasibility of an array of chiral smectic liquid crystal based modulators. However, the efficiency of the first generation device is lower than expected, owing to the effects of fringing fields. |
