Abstract: The present disclosure describes light conversion modules each having a single laser diode or multiple laser diodes. The light conversion modules can be particularly small in size (height and lateral footprint) and can overcome various challenges associated with the high optical power and heat emitted by laser diodes. In some implementations, the light conversion modules include glass phosphors, which, in some instances, can resist degradation caused by the optical power and/or heat generated by the laser diodes. In some instances, the light conversion modules include optical filters which, in some instances, can reduce or eliminate human eye-safety risk.

Abstract: An optical ranging system includes a support, a light emitter mounted on the support, and a time-of-flight (“TOF”) sensor chip mounted on the support. The TOF sensor chip, for example, includes at least one main pixel and at least one reference pixel in a semiconductor substrate. A barrier that is substantially non-transparent to light emitted by the light emitter separates the at least one reference pixel from the at least one main pixel. The optical ranging system also includes features for reducing optical cross-talk between the light emitter and the pixels of the TOF sensor.

Abstract: An eye-safe optoelectronic module includes a light source mounted on a support and operable to generate light along an emission axis. An eye-safe substrate has an eye-safe substrate refractive index and includes at least one diffusive surface. The eye-safe substrate is mounted such that the emission axis is intercepted by the diffusive surface. An optical assembly includes at least one optical element, is composed of an optical material and is mounted on the diffusive surface of the eye-safe substrate such that the optical material fills a diffusive surface of the eye-safe substrate. The optical assembly has an optical assembly refractive index that is substantially the same as the eye-safe substrate refractive index.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes subassemblies and optoelectronic modules in which an optics system, or a spacer laterally surrounding a cover glass, includes a flange which facilitates mechanical attachment of the optics system to the spacer.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various modules that can provide ultra-precise and stable packaging for an optoelectronic device such as a light emitter or light detector. The modules include vertical alignment features that can be machined, as needed, during fabrication of the modules, to establish a precise distance between the optoelectronic device and an optical element or optical assembly disposed over the optoelectronic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes optoelectronic modules that include an optical system tilted with respect to a focal plane. For example, an optoelectronic module can includes an optical system including a vertical alignment feature. An optoelectronic sub-assembly includes an active optoelectronic device, wherein the vertical alignment rests on a surface of the optoelectronic sub-assembly and wherein an optical axis of the optical system is tilted with respect to a focal plane in the sub-assembly.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a focal plane array of demodulation pixel cells. Each of the demodulation pixel cells includes a pinned photodiode, demodulation gates operable to demodulate optical signals sensed by the pinned photodiode and to transfer accumulated photo-charges to a respective one of a multitude of sense nodes, a readout circuit operable selectively to read out signals from the sense nodes, and a background light suppression circuit including cross-coupled current mirrors.

Abstract: An imaging device, including a monolithic semiconductor integrated circuit substrate, comprises a focal plane array of pixel cells. Each one of the pixel cells includes a gate overlying a region of the substrate operable to convert incident radiation into charge carriers. The pixel also includes a CMOS readout circuit including at least one output transistor in the substrate. The pixel further includes a charge coupled device section on the substrate adjacent the gate, the charge coupled device section including a sense node to receive charge carriers transferred from the region of the substrate beneath the gate. The sense node is coupled to the output transistor. The pixel also includes a reset switch coupled to the sense node. The pixel's charge coupled device section has a buried channel region. The pixel also includes one or more bias enabling switches operable to enable a bias voltage to be applied to the gate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a plurality of MEMS microphone modules by providing a first substrate wafer 62 on which are mounted a plurality of sets comprising an LED 102, an IC chip 22 and a MEM microphone device 24, where the LED 102 and IC chip 22 are surrounded and separated by first spacers 104, 64A, 64, the spacer 104 being much taller, attaching a second substrate on top of the first spacer elements above the IC chip 22, mounting a MEMS microphone device 24 to the second substrate 60, the second substrate not extending over the LED 102, surrounding the MEMS microphone device by second spacers 32A, 32, attaching a cover wafer 28 across the whole first substrate wafer 62 covering all the plurality of sets, forming openings 30 to the MEMS cavities, dividing the substrate wafer 62 into individual MEMS microphone modules through the width of the separating spacers 104, 32, 64. Conductive traces may extend through the spacers.

Abstract: Compact camera module can include auxiliary spacers to facilitate use of dam-and-fill encapsulation techniques. An encapsulant disposed on side edges of the auxiliary spacer can close off a gap between the auxiliary spacer and a support on which an image sensor is mounted so as to substantially seal off an area in which bond wires or other components are located. In some cases, the thickness of a transmissive substrate in the module can be reduced near its periphery to provide more head room for the bond wires, which can result in a smaller overall footprint for the module.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of attaching surfaces together. In one aspect, a method includes depositing a first adhesive onto a first surface of a first item, the first adhesive forming a pattern that at least partially surrounds a region of the first surface where there is no first adhesive. A second adhesive is jetted onto the region of the first surface, wherein the second adhesive has a viscosity lower than a viscosity of the first adhesive. The first surface of the first item and a second surface of a second item are brought into contact with one another. The method also includes curing the first and second adhesives. While the methods can be particularly suitable for manufacturing optical light guide elements, the methods also can be used in other contexts and applications as well.

Abstract: Fabricating optical devices can include mounting a plurality of singulated lens systems over a substrate, adjusting a thickness of the substrate below at least some of the lens systems to provide respective focal length corrections for the lens systems, and subsequently separating the substrate into a plurality of optical modules, each of which includes one of the lens systems mounted over a portion of the substrate. Adjusting a thickness of the substrate can include, for example, micro-machining the substrate to form respective holes below at least some of the lens systems or adding one or more layers below at least some of the lens systems so as to correct for variations in the focal lengths of the lens systems.

Abstract: A method of forming a wafer stack includes providing a sub-stack comprising a first wafer and a second wafer. The sub-stack includes a first thermally-curable adhesive at an interface between the upper surface of the first wafer and the lower surface of the second wafer. A third wafer is placed on the upper surface of the second wafer. A second thermally-curable adhesive is present at an interface between the upper surface of the second wafer and the lower surface of the third wafer. Ultra-violet (UV) radiation is provided in a direction of the upper surface of the third wafer to cure a UV-curable adhesive in openings in the second wafer and in contact with portions of the third wafer so as to bond the third wafer to the sub-stack at discrete locations. Subsequently, the third wafer and the sub-stack are heated so to cure the first and second thermally-curable adhesives.

Abstract: Techniques are described for holding a wafer or wafer sub-stack to facilitate further processing of the wafer of sub-stack. In some implementations, a wafer or wafer sub-stack is held by a vacuum chuck in a manner that can help reduce bending of the wafer or wafer sub-stack.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a device (1) is suggested. The device comprises at least one opto-electronic module (1), and the method comprises creating a wafer stack (2) comprising a substrate wafer (PW), and an optics wafer (OW); wherein a multitude of active optical components (E) is mounted on the substrate wafer (PW), and the optics wafer (OW) comprises a multitude of passive optical components (L). Each of the opto-electronic modules (1) comprises at least one of the active optical components (E) and at least one of the passive optical components (L). The optics wafer (OW) can comprise at least one portion, referred to as blocking portion, which is at least substantially non-transparent for at least a specific wavelength range, and at least one other portion, referred to as transparent portion, which is at least substantially non-transparent for at least said specific wavelength range. 11.

Abstract: Optoelectronic modules include a silicon substrate in which or on which there is an optoelectronic device. An optics assembly is disposed over the optoelectronic device, and a spacer separates the silicon substrate from the optics assembly. Methods of fabricating such modules also are described.

Abstract: Compact optoelectronic modules are described that, in some implementations, can have reduced heights, while at the same time having very little optical crosstalk or detection of stray light. An optoelectronic module having optical channel can include a support on which is mounted an optoelectronic device arranged to emit or detect light at a particular one or more wavelengths. The module has a cover including an optically transmissive portion over the optoelectronic device. The optically transmissive portion is surrounded laterally by sections of the cover that are substantially non-transparent to the one or more wavelengths. A passive optical element is present on a surface of the optically transmissive portion. A spacer separates the support from the cover. The cover can be relatively thin so that the overall height of the module is relatively small.

Abstract: This disclosure describes various modules that can provide ultra-precise and stable packaging for an optoelectronic device such as a light emitter or light detector. The modules include vertical alignment features that can be machined, as needed, during fabrication of the modules, to establish a precise distance between the optoelectronic device and an optical element or optical assembly disposed over the optoelectronic device.

Abstract: Optoelectronic systems include an array of optoelectronic modules and a computational unit. The array of optoelectronic modules and the computational unit are operable to collect data of a user of the optoelectronic system. The data can be used, for example, to authenticate the identity of the user by being used in multiple user authentication protocols. In some instances, facial recognition data can be augmented with three-dimensional data of the user and can be combined with iris recognition data to authenticate the identity of the user. Such optoelectronic systems can comprise hardware authentication systems external to auxiliary devices such as tablet computers and laptop computers.