Abstract: A sensor system which integrates metasurface-enabled optical sensing and illumination functionalities for tactile sensing via a sensing interface. The sensor system includes an illumination module including a light source and flat optics for projecting an illumination light (e.g. a pattern) toward the sensing interface, and an imaging module including flat optics and photodetectors for receiving the illumination light reflected or scattered by the sensing interface and capturing related optical signals including images. The captured optical signals are analyzed to detect interactions of an external object with the sensing interface. The disclosed system allows high performance characteristics, including ultra-wide fields of view, high-resolution imaging, and a significantly reduced form factor compared to traditional optical systems.

Abstract: Flat optics systems, architectures, and methods that incorporate multi-zone design for enhanced performance and multifunctionality. The flat optics technology incorporates metasurfaces to leverage the pixelated, planar device architecture to integrate additional features such as beam shaping, modulation, testing, alignment, and adaptive functionality on a single platform, offering superior performance and small form factor. A disclosed multi-zone flat optical device includes multiple flat optics components such as metasurfaces formed on or in a substrate, forming primary and auxiliary functional zones, where the primary functional zone performs a primary optical function, and the primary functional zones are used for testing, alignment, calibration, recognition, etc. The multiple functional zones may be configured to operate under different incident light conditions including wavelength, incident angle, polarization, etc.

Abstract: A wide field-of-view sensor or projector includes a transparent substrate with one or more apertures on one side, and one or more chip stacks joined to the opposite side. Each chip stack includes a flat optics layer (e.g., metasurface), at least one spacer layer, an optional filter layer, and either an image sensor or a light source. In one example, two apertures and two corresponding chip stacks are provided; both chip stacks include image sensors but different metasurfaces and filters to capture different information from the scene. In an alternative embodiment, the two chip stacks include a light source and an image sensor, to function as a light projector and a light receiver, respectively. In other examples, two apertures and a single chip stack are provided, where the single chip stack include two metasurface and/or two filters corresponding to the two apertures.

Abstract: An optical pattern projection device includes a light emitter or light emitter array and one or more flat optics layers configured to project and split light beams from the light emitters to generate a projected light pattern including multiple sub-patterns each corresponding to one of the light emitters. The flat optics layers may include a single optical metasurface containing superposed beam shaping and/or projection phase profile and a beam splitting phase profile. Alternatively, the flat optics layers may include two optical metasurfaces each containing a light shaping and/or projection phase profile, which together produce a linear relationship between light emitter position and corresponding beam projection angle, and one or both of the metasurfaces further contains a superposed beam splitting phase profile. The light shaping and/or projection phase profile may have a function similar to a micro-lens array. A structured light camera combining optical pattern projection and detection is also provided.

Abstract: System for free-space light coupling between 2-dimensional light transmitter and receiver arrays using flat optics. The system includes: a transmitter array configured to emit one or more light beams; a first flat optic configured to receive the light beams from the transmitter array and generate one or more intermediate light beams; a first spacer disposed between the light transmitter array and the first flat optic; a receiver array; a second flat optic configured to receive the intermediate light beams and generate one or more output light beams toward the receiver array; and a second spacer disposed between the second flat optic and the light receiver array. The TX and RX portions of the light coupling system may be used in LiDAR systems as the light emitter (beam steerer) and detector, respectively. The flat optics are configured to provide a wide field of view for the LiDAR.

Abstract: A wide field-of-view sensor or projector includes a transparent substrate with one or more apertures on one side, and one or more chip stacks joined to the opposite side. Each chip stack includes a flat optics layer (e.g., metasurface), at least one spacer layer, an optional filter layer, and either an image sensor or a light source. In one example, two apertures and two corresponding chip stacks are provided; both chip stacks include image sensors but different metasurfaces and filters to capture different information from the scene. In an alternative embodiment, the two chip stacks include a light source and an image sensor, to function as a light projector and a light receiver, respectively. In other examples, two apertures and a single chip stack are provided, where the single chip stack include two metasurface and/or two filters corresponding to the two apertures.