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An optical beam phase shifter includes a liquid crystal cell having an optically-transparent common electrode on a first window and a multiplicity of parallel stripe electrodes on the second window. A multiplicity of control signals are applied between the individual stripe electrodes and the common

An optical beam phase shifter includes a liquid crystal cell having an optically-transparent common electrode on a first window and a multiplicity of parallel stripe electrodes on the second window. A multiplicity of control signals are applied between the individual stripe electrodes and the common electrode, thereby creating local variations of the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules, which variations cause differential phase shifts across the cross section of a light beam incident thereon. The control signals are applied to contact pads affixed to an external surface of the liquid crystal cell, which contact pads underlie a plurality of the stripe electrodes. A multiplicity of conductors extend through the second window to couple the control signals to the stripe electrodes. In the first embodiment, the stripe electrodes are optically-transparent, and the incident beam is reflected from the contact pads. In a second embodiment, the stripe electrodes are reflective, and the incident beam is reflected therefrom.

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Apparatus for deflecting on optical beam, said apparatus comprising: an optical element including a first window having an optically-transparent common electrode, a second window having a multiplicity of electrodes in the form of electrically-isolated parallel stripes, and a layer of liquid crystal

Apparatus for deflecting on optical beam, said apparatus comprising: an optical element including a first window having an optically-transparent common electrode, a second window having a multiplicity of electrodes in the form of electrically-isolated parallel stripes, and a layer of liquid crystal molecules intermediate said first and second windows, said optical element positioned so that said optical beam is incident on said first window, said beam being reflected from within said optical element; means for generating a multiplicity of control signals; and means for applying said control signals individually between said multiplicity of stripe electrodes and said common electrode, thereby creating local variations of refractive index in said liquid crystal layer, said applying means comprising: an electrically-insulating layer affixed to said optical element opposite said first window; a multiplicity of electrically-conductive contact pads on an external surface of said insulating layer, each of said pads underlying a plurality of said stripe electrodes; and a multiplicity of conductors, each extending through said insulating layer for providing electrical conductivity between an individual stripe electrode and a corresponding pad.