Abstract: There is provided a method which includes placing a component on a substrate and extending an alignment member through an opening in the substrate. Once the alignment member is extended through the opening, the component is moved to abut against the alignment member to align the component relative to the substrate. After the component is aligned relative to the substrate, the component is secured to the substrate and the alignment member is retracted through the opening.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a laser. The method comprises receiving a target power and calculating an operating power of a lasing module of the laser. The operating power may be calculated based on the target power and a minimum lasing power of the lasing module. The method also comprises determining an operating current for the lasing module based on the operating power, and driving the lasing module at the operating current to produce an output light having the operating power. In addition, the method comprises providing the output light to an optical modulator of the laser, and operating the optical modulator to modulate the output light to have an output power corresponding to the target power.

Abstract: There is provided a device to generate an output light. The device comprises a substrate, a quantum well structure (QWS) disposed on the substrate, and a waveguide disposed on the substrate and in contact with the QWS. The QWS has a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is disposed and quantum-confined between the first layer and the third layer. In addition, the second layer is to emit an input light when electrically biased. The input light has an optical field extending outside the QWS and into the waveguide, to optically couple the waveguide with the QWS. The waveguide is to provide an optical resonance cavity for the input light. Moreover, the waveguide has an optical outlet to transmit at least some of the input light out of the waveguide to generate the output light.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Such optical engines may have various advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus to illuminate a target includes a lens having a lens side to be positioned in opposing relation to the target. The apparatus includes a lightguide that circumscribes at least a portion of the periphery of the lens. The lightguide has an input end to receive light and a length along which the receive light propagates. The apparatus includes outcoupling elements that are spaced out along the length of the lightguide. The outcoupling elements couple light out of the lightguide at respective positions along the length of the lightguide. The outcoupling elements are oriented to direct the outcoupled light towards the target when the lens side is positioned in opposing relation to the target. An eye tracking apparatus including the illumination apparatus and a method of eye tracking are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical engine includes bonding a plurality of laser diodes directly or indirectly to a base substrate and coupling at least one laser diode driver circuit to the laser diodes. In operation the at least one laser diode driver circuit selectively drives current to the laser diodes. The method further includes bonding a plurality of collimation lenses to the base substrate proximate the plurality of laser diodes and bonding a cap including at least one wall and at least one optical window to the base substrate. The method also includes bonding a grating waveguide combiner proximate the optical window of the cap. In operation, the grating waveguide combiner receives a plurality of beams of light at a respective plurality of input grating couplers and combines the plurality of beams of light to provide a collimated aggregated beam of light at an output grating coupler.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Such optical engines may have various advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Such optical engines may have various advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical waveguides that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. An optical waveguide includes a volume of optically transparent material, a first holographic optical element (HOE) and a second holographic optical element, wherein the first HOE and the second HOE are carried by the volume of optically transparent material, and the first HOE is positioned across a width of the volume of optically transparent material from the second HOE. Light enters the optical waveguide and is propagated down a length of the waveguide by reflection between the first HOE and the second HOE. Propagation of the light within the optical waveguide does not require total internal reflection. The optical waveguide may include means to in-couple the light into the waveguide and means to out-couple the light from the waveguide. WHUDs that employ such optical waveguides are also described.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical waveguides that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. An optical waveguide includes a volume of optically transparent material, a first holographic optical element (HOE) and a second holographic optical element, wherein the first HOE and the second HOE are carried by the volume of optically transparent material, and the first HOE is positioned across a width of the volume of optically transparent material from the second HOE. Light enters the optical waveguide and is propagated down a length of the waveguide by reflection between the first HOE and the second HOE. Propagation of the light within the optical waveguide does not require total internal reflection. The optical waveguide may include means to in-couple the light into the waveguide and means to out-couple the light from the waveguide. WHUDs that employ such optical waveguides are also described.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Such optical engines may have various advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

Abstract: There is provided a method which includes placing a component on a substrate and extending an alignment member through an opening in the substrate. Once the alignment member is extended through the opening, the component is moved to abut against the alignment member to align the component relative to the substrate. After the component is aligned relative to the substrate, the component is secured to the substrate and the alignment member is retracted through the opening.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a laser. The method comprises receiving a target power and calculating an operating power of a lasing module of the laser. The operating power may be calculated based on the target power and a minimum lasing power of the lasing module. The method also comprises determining an operating current for the lasing module based on the operating power, and driving the lasing module at the operating current to produce an output light having the operating power. In addition, the method comprises providing the output light to an optical modulator of the laser, and operating the optical modulator to modulate the output light to have an output power corresponding to the target power.

Abstract: There is provided a device to generate an output light. The device comprises a substrate, a quantum well structure (QWS) disposed on the substrate, and a waveguide disposed on the substrate and in contact with the QWS. The QWS has a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is disposed and quantum-confined between the first layer and the third layer. In addition, the second layer is to emit an input light when electrically biased. The input light has an optical field extending outside the QWS and into the waveguide, to optically couple the waveguide with the QWS. The waveguide is to provide an optical resonance cavity for the input light. Moreover, the waveguide has an optical outlet to transmit at least some of the input light out of the waveguide to generate the output light.

Abstract: An apparatus to illuminate a target includes a lens having a lens side to be positioned in opposing relation to the target. The apparatus includes a lightguide that circumscribes at least a portion of the periphery of the lens. The lightguide has an input end to receive light and a length along which the receive light propagates. The apparatus includes outcoupling elements that are spaced out along the length of the lightguide. The outcoupling elements couple light out of the lightguide at respective positions along the length of the lightguide. The outcoupling elements are oriented to direct the outcoupled light towards the target when the lens side is positioned in opposing relation to the target. An eye tracking apparatus including the illumination apparatus and a method of eye tracking are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of manufacturing optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically or partially hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Photonic integrated circuits having grating or edge couplers thereon may be used to wavelength multiplex beams of light emitted by the plurality of laser diodes into a coaxially superimposed aggregate beam. A waveguide medium having one or more directly written waveguides may couple light from laser diodes to a photonic integrated circuit, and may optionally hermetically or partially hermetically seal the laser diodes, eliminating the need for a separate seal. Such optical engines may have advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to methods of assembling projectors, and more particularly, to methods of aligning laser diodes in laser projectors. Implementations of the present disclosure include positioning an alignment beam and a photodetector in an optical path of the projector. The alignment beam propagates from an alignment light source through a location where a laser diode is to be mounted. A laser diode is then initially positioned in the optical path with a laser cavity of the diode acting as a passive waveguide during the assembly process. The laser diode is then fixed in place at a position and, or, an orientation that corresponds to light from the alignment beam passing through a laser cavity of the diode to be aligned and registering at least a minimum threshold value of a measure at the photodetector.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of manufacturing optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically or partially hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. A grating waveguide combiner comprising a plurality of waveguides having grating couplers thereon may be used to combine beams of light emitted by the plurality of laser diodes into a coaxially superimposed aggregate beam. Such optical engines may have advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical waveguides that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. An optical device comprises an optical waveguide including a volume of optically transparent material having a first longitudinal surface positioned opposite a second longitudinal surface across a width of the volume, an in-coupler, a liquid crystal out-coupler, and a controller to modulate a refractive index of the liquid crystal out-coupler. Light is in-coupled into the waveguide and is propagated along a length of the waveguide by total internal reflection between the longitudinal surfaces before being out-coupled by the liquid crystal out-coupler on a path that is dependent on the modulated refractive index of the liquid crystal out-coupler. In this way, light signals can be steered to create an image and/or to move an exit pupil of an image. WHUDs that employ such optical waveguides are also described.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical waveguides that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. An optical device comprises an optical waveguide including a volume of optically transparent material having a first longitudinal surface positioned opposite a second longitudinal surface across a width of the volume, a liquid crystal in-coupler, a controller to modulate a refractive index of the liquid crystal in-coupler, and an out-coupler. Light is in-coupled into the waveguide on a path that is dependent on the modulated refractive index of the liquid crystal in-coupler and is propagated along a length of the waveguide by total internal reflection between the longitudinal surfaces before being out-coupled by the out-coupler. In this way, light signals can be steered to create an image and/or to move an exit pupil of an image. WHUDs that employ such optical waveguides are also described.