Abstract: An optical device includes a transmitter, which emits a beam of optical radiation, and a receiver, which includes a detector configured to output a signal in response to the optical radiation. An active area of the detector has a first dimension along a first axis and a second dimension, which is less than the first dimension, along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. An anamorphic lens, which collects and focuses the optical radiation onto the active area of the detector, has a first focal length in a first plane containing the first axis and a second focal length, greater than the first focal length, in a second plane containing the second axis. A scanner scans the beam across a target scene in a scan direction that is aligned with the first axis, and directs the optical radiation that is reflected from the target scene toward the receiver.

Abstract: A display system may display image frames. The system may include a scanning mirror and an array of staggered light emitting elements. The light emitting elements may emit image light and collimating optics may direct the light at the scanning mirror, which reflects the image light while rotating about an axis. Control circuitry may selectively activate the light emitting elements across tangential and sagittal axes of the image frame while controlling the scanning mirror to scan across the sagittal axis.

Abstract: A display system may display image frames. The system may include multiple sets of laser dies. Each set of laser dies may emit a respective set of beams of light to a photonic integrated circuit. Each set of beams may include light in at least three wavelength ranges that include visible and/or infrared wavelengths. Channels in the photonic integrated circuit may receive the sets of beams with a first pitch and may emit the set of beams with a second pitch that is finer than the first pitch and at a given angular separation to tangential and sagittal axis scanning mirrors.

Abstract: Optical systems that may, for example, be used in light ranging and detection (LiDAR) applications, for example in systems that implement combining laser pulse transmission in LiDAR and that include dual transmit and receive systems. Receiver components of a dual receiver system in LiDAR applications may include a medium range (50 meters or less) receiver optical system with a medium entrance pupil and small F-number and with a medium to wide field of view. The optical system may utilize optical filters, scanning mirrors, and a nominal one-dimensional SPAD (or SPADs) to increase the probability of positive photon events.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving and position sensing in a comb-drive actuator includes a generator, a driver circuit, sensing circuitry, and signal processing circuitry. The generator is configured to apply a sensing-voltage to a first electrode of the comb-drive actuator. The driver circuit is configured to apply a drive-voltage to a second electrode of the comb-drive actuator, having an opposite polarity relative to the first electrode. The sensing circuitry is configured to measure at the second electrode a sensed-waveform resulting from the sensing-voltage applied to the first electrode. The signal processing circuitry is configured to estimate a position of the first electrode relative to the second electrode based on the sensed-waveform.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a base containing one or more rotational bearings disposed along a gimbal axis. A gimbal includes a shaft that fits into the rotational bearings so that the gimbal rotates about the gimbal axis relative to the base. A mirror assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, which has been etched and coated to define a support, which is fixed to the gimbal, at least one mirror, contained within the support, and a connecting member connecting the at least one mirror to the support and defining at least one mirror axis, about which the at least one mirror rotates relative to the support.

Abstract: An optical device includes a laser light source configured to emit a collimated beam of light, and a scanning mirror, which is configured to reflect and scan the beam of light over a predefined angular range. The optical device further includes a volume holographic grating (VHG), which is positioned to receive and reflect the collimated beam emitted by the laser light source toward the scanning mirror by Bragg reflection at a predefined Bragg-angle, while transmitting the beam reflected from the scanning mirror over a part of the angular range that is outside a cone containing the Bragg-angle.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a base containing one or more rotational bearings disposed along a gimbal axis. A gimbal includes a shaft that fits into the rotational bearings so that the gimbal rotates about the gimbal axis relative to the base. A mirror assembly includes a semiconductor substrate, which has been etched and coated to define a support, which is fixed to the gimbal, at least one mirror, contained within the support, and a connecting member connecting the at least one mirror to the support and defining at least one mirror axis, about which the at least one mirror rotates relative to the support.

Abstract: Scanning apparatus includes a base and a gimbal, including a shaft that fits into rotational bearings in the base and is configured to rotate through 360° about a gimbal axis relative to the base. A mirror assembly, fixed to the gimbal, includes a mirror, which is positioned on the gimbal axis and is configured to rotate about a mirror axis perpendicular to the gimbal axis. A transmitter directs pulses of optical radiation toward the mirror, which directs the optical radiation toward a scene. A receiver, receives, via the mirror, the optical radiation reflected from the scene and outputs signals in response to the received radiation. Control circuitry drives the gimbal to rotate about the gimbal axis and the mirror to rotate about the mirror axis, and processes the signals output by the receiver in order to generate a three-dimensional map of the scanned area.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a scanner, which includes a base and a gimbal, mounted within the base so as to rotate relative to the base about a first axis of rotation. A transmit mirror and at least one receive mirror are mounted within the gimbal so as to rotate in mutual synchronization about respective second axes, which are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first axis. A transmitter emits a beam including pulses of light toward the transmit mirror, which reflects the beam so that the scanner scans the beam over a scene. A receiver receives, by reflection from the at least one receive mirror, the light reflected from the scene and generates an output indicative of the time of flight of the pulses to and from points in the scene.

Abstract: Optical apparatus (64) includes a stator assembly (47), which includes a core (78, 90, 91) containing an air gap and one or more coils (80, 92, 94, 116, 120) including conductive wire wound on the core so as to cause the core to form a magnetic circuit through the air gap in response to an electrical current flowing in the conductive wire. A scanning mirror assembly (45, 83, 85, 130) includes a support structure (68), a base (72), which is mounted to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure, and a mirror (46), which is mounted to rotate about a second axis relative to the base. At least one rotor (76, 132) includes one or more permanent magnets, which are fixed to the scanning mirror assembly and which are positioned in the air gap so as to move in response to the magnetic circuit. A driver (82) is coupled to generate the electrical current in the one or more coils.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a substrate, which is etched to define an array of two or more parallel rotating members and a gimbal surrounding the rotating members. First hinges connect the gimbal to the substrate and defining a first axis of rotation, about which the gimbal rotates relative to the substrate. Second hinges connect the rotating members to the support and defining respective second, mutually-parallel axes of rotation of the rotating members relative to the support, which are not parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: Optical apparatus (64) includes a stator assembly (47), which includes a core (78, 90, 91) containing an air gap and one or more coils (80, 92, 94, 116, 120) including conductive wire wound on the core so as to cause the core to form a magnetic circuit through the air gap in response to an electrical current flowing in the conductive wire. A scanning mirror assembly (45, 83, 85, 130) includes a support structure (68), a base (72), which is mounted to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure, and a mirror (46), which is mounted to rotate about a second axis relative to the base. At least one rotor (76, 132) includes one or more permanent magnets, which are fixed to the scanning mirror assembly and which are positioned in the air gap so as to move in response to the magnetic circuit. A driver (82) is coupled to generate the electrical current in the one or more coils.

Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a shaft, which is configured to rotate about an axis of the shaft relative to a base. A mirror is fixed to the shaft so that the mirror rotates about the axis. A rotor including a permanent magnet is fixed to rotate with the shaft. A stator is configured to generate a magnetic field having a DC component in a vicinity of the rotor. A torsion spring, extending along the axis, has a first end that is attached to rotate with the shaft and a second end attached to the base.

Abstract: Optical apparatus (64) includes a stator assembly (47), which includes a core (78, 90, 91) containing an air gap and one or more coils (80, 92, 94, 116, 120) including conductive wire wound on the core so as to cause the core to form a magnetic circuit through the air gap in response to an electrical current flowing in the conductive wire. A scanning mirror assembly (45, 83, 85, 130) includes a support structure (68), a base (72), which is mounted to rotate about a first axis relative to the support structure, and a mirror (46), which is mounted to rotate about a second axis relative to the base. At least one rotor (76, 132) includes one or more permanent magnets, which are fixed to the scanning mirror assembly and which are positioned in the air gap so as to move in response to the magnetic circuit. A driver (82) is coupled to generate the electrical current in the one or more coils.

Abstract: Optical systems that may, for example, be used in light ranging and detection (LiDAR) applications, for example in systems that implement combining laser pulse transmission in LiDAR and that include dual transmit and receive systems. Receiver components of a dual receiver system in LiDAR applications may include a medium range (50 meters or less) receiver optical system with a medium entrance pupil and small F-number and with a medium to wide field of view. The optical system may utilize optical filters, scanning mirrors, and a nominal one-dimensional SPAD (or SPADs) to increase the probability of positive photon events.

Abstract: Scanning apparatus includes a base and a gimbal, including a shaft that fits into rotational bearings in the base and is configured to rotate through 360° about a gimbal axis relative to the base. A mirror assembly, fixed to the gimbal, includes a mirror, which is positioned on the gimbal axis and is configured to rotate about a mirror axis perpendicular to the gimbal axis. A transmitter directs pulses of optical radiation toward the mirror, which directs the optical radiation toward a scene. A receiver, receives, via the mirror, the optical radiation reflected from the scene and outputs signals in response to the received radiation. Control circuitry drives the gimbal to rotate about the gimbal axis and the mirror to rotate about the mirror axis, and processes the signals output by the receiver in order to generate a three-dimensional map of the scanned area.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a substrate, which is etched to define a recess in the substrate and to define the following structures contained in the recess: At least first and second mirrors are disposed along a common axis of rotation. Torsion hinges extend collinearly along the axis of rotation and connect the first and second mirrors to the substrate so that the first and second mirrors rotate on the torsion hinges about the axis of rotation. Rigid struts are disposed alongside the axis of rotation and connect the first mirror to the second mirror so that the struts rotate about the axis of rotation together with the first and second mirrors.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a frame, having a central opening, and an array including a plurality of parallel mirrors contained within the central opening of the frame. Hinges respectively connect the mirrors to the frame and define respective, mutually-parallel axes of rotation of the mirrors relative to the frame. A main drive applies a driving force to the array so as to drive an oscillation of the mirrors about the hinges at a resonant frequency of the array. A sensor is configured to detect a discrepancy in a synchronization of the oscillation among the mirrors in the array, and an adjustment circuit applies a corrective signal to at least one of the mirrors in order to alleviate the detected discrepancy.

Abstract: Optical systems that may, for example, be used in remote sensing systems, for example in systems that implement combining laser pulse transmission in LiDAR and that include dual transmit and receive systems. A dual receiver system may include a receiver including an optical system with a relatively small aperture and wide field of view for capturing reflected light from short-range (e.g., <20 meters) objects, and a receiver that includes an optical system with a relatively large aperture and small field of view for capturing reflected light from long-range (e.g., >20 meters) objects. The optical systems may refract the reflected light to photodetectors (e.g., single photo-avalanche detectors (SPADs)) that capture the light. Light captured at the photodetectors may, for example, be used to determine range information for objects or surfaces in the environment.