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An optical scanner for use in a confined or restricted location having a movable prism assembly which utilizes cylindrical or spherical mating joints between a pair of flat input/output surfaces. The mating surfaces are spaced less than one wavelength apart, preferably by an air bearing. The cylindr

An optical scanner for use in a confined or restricted location having a movable prism assembly which utilizes cylindrical or spherical mating joints between a pair of flat input/output surfaces. The mating surfaces are spaced less than one wavelength apart, preferably by an air bearing. The cylindrical members can be used for line scanning while spherical members provide two degrees of freedom of movement. Optical refraction through this movable prism assembly provides a small “exit pupil”scanning with a laser beam.

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In an elongated, slender missile having a laser tracker system for emitting a beam of optical energy of preselected wavelength, a nose cone, a window within said nose cone transparent to said preselected wavelength, the improvement therein being in the form of an optical scanner positioned adjacent

In an elongated, slender missile having a laser tracker system for emitting a beam of optical energy of preselected wavelength, a nose cone, a window within said nose cone transparent to said preselected wavelength, the improvement therein being in the form of an optical scanner positioned adjacent said window and optically aligned between said laser tracker system and said window, said optical scanner comprising: a movable prism assembly, said movable prism assembly including a first optical component having a flat surface on one side thereof and a spherically-shaped convex portion adjacent said flat surface, and a second optical component having a flat surface on one side thereof and a spherically-shaped concave portion therein sized to receive said spherically-shaped convex portion of said first optical component therein, both said optical components having the same index of refaction; said first optical component and said second optical component being mounted with respect to one another for relative movement therebetween; means interposed between said first optical component and said second optical component for allowing said movement to take place, said means for allowing movement between said optical components being in the form of an air bearing; and means operably connected to at least said first of said optical components for moving said first optical component with respect to said second optical component; whereby said beam of optical energy directed toward said flat surface of said first optical component exits said flat surface of said second optical component as said first and second optical components move with respect to one another.