Honors Research Distinction

A number of novel low-loss and compact optical time-delay devices have been devised on the basis of the Herriott cell and Robert cell. We propose that these systems can produce discrete and variable time delays up to hundreds of nanoseconds. Time delays of this magnitude can be applied to many optical applications, but in this thesis, the focus is on incorporating our devices into optical true-time delay systems used for phased array antennas. This document presents derivations of the Herriott cell and Robert cell properties, and using their special properties, we designed modifications and coupling of the Herriott cell and Robert cell so that they could be readily implemented as delay elements for existing optical true-time delay systems. Historically, programmable long optical delays have been difficult to achieve with low loss in a small space. Modified and coupled Herriott cells and Robert cells are appealing because they have few components, small size and weight, very low loss, and robust alignment. We illustrate how modified Herriott and Robert cells can be set up such that they can be compatibly combined with White cell-based true-time delay systems