Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a LIDAR system with a mirror housing and a window. The LIDAR system may include a light deflector, a mirror housing encasing the light deflector comprising a window for transmitting light between the light deflector and an exterior of the mirror housing, and a sensor positioned outside the mirror housing for detecting light signals from an environment of the LIDAR system. The light signals may propagate from the environment through the window to the light deflector, and from the light deflector through the window to the sensor. The window may be configured such that light arriving from outside of a field of view of the LIDAR system is deflected by the window away from the sensor. The LIDAR system may also include a processor for processing the light signals detected by the sensor to determine a distance to an object in the environment of the LIDAR system.

Abstract: A passive optical power limiting window comprising a transparent optical input element, a transparent optical output element, and a power-limiting element disposed between these input and output elements for transmitting optical light from these input elements to these output elements, these optical power-limiting elements comprising an optical-limiting solid mixture containing particles of at least one material that produces reversible thermal changes in response to light above a predetermined optical power level, thereby changing the optical transmission properties of these power-limiting elements.

Abstract: There is provided an optically driven, transmitting and receiving antenna transformable into an electrically invisible antenna when inactive, including a light source, a semiconductor wafer illuminatable by the light source and a microwave source or sensor. The wafer has a surface for forming optically induced plasma or electron hole concentration, assuming a spatial and temporal pattern defined by a light beam impinging thereon. Upon the wafer being exposed to the light beam having a power level sufficient for creating a dense plasma or electron hole concentration in the wafer, the wafer becomes reflective to microwaves, and returns to transparency when light from the light source is turned off.

Abstract: An optical power limiter comprises an input optical transmission element, an output optical transmission element, and a power-limiting element disposed between the input and output elements for transmitting optical signals from the input element to the output element. The power-limiting element comprises an optical-limiting solid mixture containing particles of at least one material that produces reversible thermal changes in response to light above a predetermined optical power level, thereby changing the optical transmission properties of the power-limiting element.

Abstract: A reversible optical energy limiting device comprises a waveguide forming an optical path between an input end and an output end, and an optical energy responsive material located in the optical path for reflecting at least a portion of optical energy received from the input end back toward the input end when the optical energy exceeds a predetermined threshold. The optical energy responsive material does not reflect optical energy when it drops below the predetermined threshold, and thus propagation of optical energy from the input end to the output end is automatically resumed when the optical energy drops below the predetermined threshold. The optical energy responsive material may extend across the optical path an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical path so that back-reflected light does not re-enter the optical system.

Abstract: A resettable optical energy switching device comprises a waveguide forming an optical path between an input end and an output end, and an optical energy diverting material located in said optical path for diverting optical energy propagation away from said output end when said optical energy exceeds a predetermined threshold. The optical energy diverting material does not divert optical energy propagation away from the output end when the optical energy propagation drops below the predetermined threshold, and thus propagation of optical energy to the output end is automatically resumed when the optical energy drops below the predetermined threshold. In one implementation, the optical energy diverting material comprises a light-absorbing material having an index of refraction that decreases as light is absorbed by the material.

Abstract: There is provided an optically driven, transmitting and receiving antenna transformable into an electrically invisible antenna when inactive, including a light source, a semiconductor wafer illuminatable by the light source and a microwave source or sensor. The wafer has a surface for forming optically induced plasma or electron hole concentration, assuming a spatial and temporal pattern defined by a light beam impinging thereon. Upon the wafer being exposed to the light beam having a power level sufficient for creating a dense plasma or electron hole concentration in the wafer, the wafer becomes reflective to microwaves, and returns to transparency when light from the light source is turned off.