MOST: multiplexed optical scanner technology

Using the NLC design philosophy, this paper introduces a novel optical scanning method called "multiplexed optical scanner technology" or "MOST' that has the fundamental capabilities to realize the desired scanner. Specifically, four types of multiplexed optical scanners (MOSs), namely, the polarization or P-MOS, the time or T-MOS, the wavelength or W-MOS, and the code or C-MOS are highlighted. In effect, independent exploitation of polarization, time, wavelength, and optical code switching is used to access 3-D phase perturbations stored in large area phase sensitive photothermal programmable NLC devices inorder to realize a high speed optical scanner.