Flexible multi-wavelength interference multiplexing for inertia-free dynamic beam manipulation

Dynamic optical beam manipulation is vital for advancing photonic technologies, including light detection and ranging (LiDAR), free-space optical wireless communication (OWC), three-dimensional imaging, and dynamic holography. Traditional non-mechanical beam-steering methods, such as optical phase arrays, spatial light modulators, and focal plane switch arrays, face challenges in scalability, fabrication complexity, and data transmission demands. This work introduces a framework for dynamic optical field design based on multi-wavelength interference, achieving precise spatiotemporal modulation. Using double-slit and multi-slit configurations, the method, demonstrated through theoretical simulations, enables multiple dynamic transformation periods from picoseconds to seconds, angular velocities of scanning up to 2.1 × 10¹¹ rad/s, and fringe motion speeds reaching 2.4 × 10⁸ m/s. Experimental validation with acousto-optic modulators slows down the speed by over 10 orders to a 2 Hz frequency, visible to the naked eye, and demonstrating the multi-scale manipulation potentials. This robust and scalable approach offers a transformative platform for LiDAR, integrated photonics, and optical computing applications.