Abstract: A multi-beam LIDAR optical system, that in one example includes a plurality of single mode optical fibers configured to transmit and receive light beams, and a plurality of lenses configured to collimate and focus the light beams between the plurality of single mode optical fibers and an entrance pupil of the system, wherein the system is configured to transmit and receive the light beams over an angular field of view of at least 5°.

Abstract: A multi-beam LIDAR optical system, that in one example includes a plurality of single mode optical fibers configured to transmit and receive light beams, and a plurality of lenses configured to collimate and focus the light beams between the plurality of single mode optical fibers and an entrance pupil of the system, wherein the system is configured to transmit and receive the light beams over an angular field of view of at least 5°.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a housing having an interior region, a first lens disposed within the interior region of the housing, a second lens disposed within the interior region of the housing, the second lens being spaced from the first lens, a spacer disposed within the interior region of the housing between the first lens and the second lens, the spacer being fabricated from glass material, and a retention assembly configured to engage the second lens when assembled to retain the first lens, the spacer and the second lens in place. The housing may include a port providing fluid communication from an exterior of the housing to the interior region of the housing. The optical assembly further may include a filler material disposed in a space defined by an exterior surface of the spacer and an interior surface of the housing via the port.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a light source which produces a first radiation within a first wavelength range and which produces a second radiation within a second wavelength range when a property of the light source is changed. The apparatus further comprises an optical device which receives the first radiation and attenuates the first radiation to emit a first attenuated radiation having a first perceived brightness. The optical device also receives the second radiation and attenuates the second radiation to emit a second attenuated radiation having a second perceived brightness. The first and second perceived brightnesses are approximately equal.

Abstract: Provided are assemblies and processes for achieving desirable homogenization and mixing of one or more light sources. The assemblies include the use of diffusers and light pipes in a particular configuration that allows very good homogenization performance while reducing the requisite length of light pipe. In particular, a length of a light-pipe homogenizer can be substantially reduced by diffusing the light after it has been partially pre-mixed by a light pipe. Additional mixing can take place after diffusion. For example, a diffuser can be positioned within a light pipe or sandwiched between two light pipes. In some embodiments, the diffuser is placed at a point along a light pipe where the light from each source or each portion of a single source substantially covers the diffuser approximately equally. Consequently, a rate of homogenization can be increased, thereby reducing the required length of the complete homogenization system.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a light source which produces a first radiation within a first wavelength range and which produces a second radiation within a second wavelength range when a property of the light source is changed. The apparatus further comprises an optical device which receives the first radiation and attenuates the first radiation to emit a first attenuated radiation having a first perceived brightness. The optical device also receives the second radiation and attenuates the second radiation to emit a second attenuated radiation having a second perceived brightness. The first and second perceived brightnesses are approximately equal.