Abstract: Mechanisms and systems for compact beam steering disclosed. A beam scanning device can include a first scanner mirror that receives a beam of light generated by a light source, and steers the beam of light through a reflection mechanism. The beam scanning device can include a second scanner mirror that receives the beam of light from the reflection mechanism. The beam scanning device can include a set of gears coupled to the first scanner mirror and the second scanner mirror that, when driven, rotate the first scanner mirror and the second scanner mirror at predetermined speeds. The beam scanning device includes an actuator that rotates the set of gears, the first scanner mirror, and the second scanner mirror at the predetermined speeds, causing the beam of light to reflect across the first and second scanner mirrors in a predetermined scanning pattern.

Abstract: An optical device includes: wavelength selection elements; an optical switch that switches a propagation path of input light that is from an input port such that the input light propagates to one designated wavelength selection element among the wavelength selection elements; and a separation element disposed in the propagation path of the input light between the input port and the wavelength selection elements and that separates the input light into wavelength components.

Abstract: An optical device includes a fiber array that has input optical fibers, a lens array that has lenses, a photodiode array that photodiodes, a first spacer disposed between the fiber array and the lens array, and a second spacer disposed between the lens array and the photodiode array. Each of the lenses collimates input light from a corresponding input optical fiber, from among the input optical fibers. Each of the photodiodes receives the input light collimated by a corresponding lens, from among the lenses, and outputs an electrical signal according to a power of the received input light. The first spacer transmits the input light from each of the input optical fibers to a corresponding lens from among the lenses. The fiber array, the first spacer, the lens array, the second spacer, and the photodiode array are laminated.

Abstract: System and methods for Light Detecting and Ranging (LIDAR) are disclosed. The LIDAR system includes a light source that is configured project a beam at various wavelengths toward a wavelength dispersive element. The wavelength dispersive element is configured to receive the beam and direct at least a portion of the beam into a field of view (FOV) at an angle dependent on frequency. The system also includes a detector that is positioned to receive portions of the beam reflected from an object within the FOV and a processor that is configured to control the light source and determine a velocity of the object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for alignment and testing of a photonic device include a light source, an interferometer, a detector, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit may generate control signal(s) for the light source to project a beam through the interferometer to a device under testing (DUT). The interferometer may receive an interference beam from an optical fiber of the DUT. The processing circuit may align optical fiber(s) for the DUT, determine one or more characteristics for the DUT, and so forth based on the interference beam and a reference beam generated by the interferometer.

Abstract: An optical device includes: wavelength selection elements; an optical switch that switches a propagation path of input light that is from an input port such that the input light propagates to one designated wavelength selection element among the wavelength selection elements; and a separation element disposed in the propagation path of the input light between the input port and the wavelength selection elements and that separates the input light into wavelength components.

Abstract: A tunable filter includes: an optical input/output unit; a first mirror having a first reflective surface disposed to reflect input light from the optical input/output unit; a transmissive diffraction grating disposed on a propagation path of the input light reflected by the first mirror; and a second mirror having a second reflective surface disposed to reflect transmitted diffracted light from the transmissive diffraction grating corresponding to the input light. The first reflective surface is a variable-angle reflective surface. The second reflective surface has a fixed orientation relative to the transmissive diffraction grating.

Abstract: An OCT system is arranged to capture a three-dimensional (3D) OCT scan of a target. The OCT system projects a beam scan towards the target, and the OCT system generates data corresponding to the beam scan. Additionally, an image sensor is arranged to capture an image of a trace of the beam scan on a surface of the target. Using the image of the trace, various characteristics of the target are determined.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal spatial phase modulator includes: a liquid-crystal layer; a transparent electrode layer above the liquid-crystal layer; a lower electrode layer disposed below the liquid-crystal layer; a first heat-resistant layer that has higher thermal resistance than the transparent electrode layer and is disposed above and adjacent to the transparent electrode layer; and a second heat-resistant layer that has higher thermal resistance than the transparent electrode layer and is disposed between the transparent electrode layer and the liquid-crystal layer and adjacent to the transparent electrode layer. Light from above passes through the transparent electrode layer.

Abstract: System and methods for Light Detecting and Ranging (LIDAR) are disclosed. The LIDAR system includes a light source that is configured project a beam at various wavelengths toward a wavelength dispersive element. The wavelength dispersive element is configured to receive the beam and direct at least a portion of the beam into a field of view (FOV) at an angle dependent on frequency. The system also includes a detector that is positioned to receive portions of the beam reflected from an object within the FOV and a processor that is configured to control the light source and determine a velocity of the object.

Abstract: A LIDAR sensing system includes a light source that is controlled to project a collimated beam at various wavelengths. An interferometer receives the collimated beam and projects an object beam corresponding to the collimated beam at a diffraction grating. The object beam is diffracted from the diffraction grating at different angles corresponding to the wavelength of the collimated beam. As a result, the LIDAR sensing system generates a vertical scan (e.g., a two-dimensional scan) of the external environment. Various components of the LIDAR sensing system are then configured to rotate to produce multiple vertical scans, thus generating a three-dimensional scan.

Abstract: A LIDAR sensing system includes a light source that is controlled to project a collimated beam at various wavelengths. An interferometer receives the collimated beam and projects an object beam corresponding to the collimated beam at a diffraction grating. The object beam is diffracted from the diffraction grating at different angles corresponding to the wavelength of the collimated beam, creating a two dimensional scan along a first axis. The object beam is also controlled along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. As a result, the LIDAR sensing system generates a horizontal and vertical scan (e.g., a three-dimensional scan) of the external environment.

Abstract: A variable wavelength filter includes: an input optical fiber; a diffraction grating that disperses input light from the input optical fiber; a variable mirror that has a reflective surface, wherein an angle of the reflective surface is adjustable, the variable mirror reflects the input light dispersed by the diffraction grating, the input light reflected by the variable mirror passes through a normal optical path, the input light that passes through the normal optical path has a wavelength band defined based on the angle of the reflective surface, and the defined wavelength band has a center wavelength corresponding to the angle of the reflective surface; an output optical fiber that outputs a portion of the input light that has passed through the normal optical path; and an optical detector disposed on a propagation path of the input light from the input optical fiber to the output optical fiber.

Abstract: A tunable filter includes: a first transparent substrate including a first reflective surface; a second transparent substrate including a second reflective surface that opposes the first reflective surface; and a supporting member, connected to the first transparent substrate, that supports the second transparent substrate on the first transparent substrate so that the second reflective surface is disposed at a position separated from the first reflective surface in a normal direction of the first reflective surface. A cavity between the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface forms an etalon. A relative position of the second transparent substrate with respect to the first transparent substrate changes due to thermal expansion of the supporting member, and a length of the cavity changes in the normal direction.

Abstract: Methods and devices for accurate noninvasive measurement of blood analyte concentrations are disclosed. In an example process, optical properties of a blood vessel proximate to the surface of an exposed body part, for example, the sclera or the backside of the eye lid, is measured. Analyte concentrations are determined based on the measured optical properties.

Abstract: A LIDAR sensing system includes a light source that is controlled to project a collimated beam at various wavelengths. An interferometer receives the collimated beam and projects an object beam corresponding to the collimated beam at a diffraction grating. The object beam is diffracted from the diffraction grating at different angles corresponding to the wavelength of the collimated beam, creating a two dimensional scan along a first axis. The object beam is also controlled along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. As a result, the LIDAR sensing system generates a horizontal and vertical scan (e.g., a three-dimensional scan) of the external environment.

Abstract: An integrated optical device includes: a housing; a liquid-crystal optical power attenuator, an optical splitter, and an optical power monitor housed inside the housing; and first and second optical fibers housed inside the housing. The first optical fibers input an optical signal from outside the housing to the optical power attenuator. In a polarized state, the optical power attenuator attenuates the optical signal from the first optical fibers. The second optical fibers output the attenuated optical signal from the optical power attenuator to outside the housing. The optical splitter generates a split signal by splitting at least one of: the optical signal input to the optical power attenuator from the first optical fibers, and the attenuated optical signal propagated from the optical power attenuator to the second optical fibers. The optical power monitor receives the split signal and detects a power of the split signal.

Abstract: A variable wavelength filter includes: an input optical fiber; a diffraction grating that disperses input light from the input optical fiber; a variable mirror that has a reflective surface, wherein an angle of the reflective surface is adjustable, the variable mirror reflects the input light dispersed by the diffraction grating, the input light reflected by the variable mirror passes through a normal optical path, the input light that passes through the normal optical path has a wavelength band defined based on the angle of the reflective surface, and the defined wavelength band has a center wavelength corresponding to the angle of the reflective surface; an output optical fiber that outputs a portion of the input light that has passed through the normal optical path; and an optical detector disposed on a propagation path of the input light from the input optical fiber to the output optical fiber.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal spatial phase modulator includes: a liquid-crystal layer; a transparent electrode layer above the liquid-crystal layer; a lower electrode layer disposed below the liquid-crystal layer; a first heat-resistant layer that has higher thermal resistance than the transparent electrode layer and is disposed above and adjacent to the transparent electrode layer; and a second heat-resistant layer that has higher thermal resistance than the transparent electrode layer and is disposed between the transparent electrode layer and the liquid-crystal layer and adjacent to the transparent electrode layer. Light from above passes through the transparent electrode layer.

Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems using a polarization switch and/or a polarization beam splitter are generally described. In an example, an OCT system includes a light source configured to emit a beam and an interferometer configured to receive the beam. The interferometer includes a reference path and an interferometer sample path. The OCT system further includes a polarization switch configured to selectively change a polarization state of the beam and a lens system that includes a first sample path and a second sample path. The polarization switch is further configured to direct the beam onto the first sample path upon selection of a first polarization state and to direct the beam onto the second sample path upon selection of a second polarization state that is different from the first polarization state.