Abstract: An example lidar system includes a housing defining an interior space. The housing includes at least one optical window. The lidar system also includes a rotatable mirror assembly disposed within the interior space. The rotatable mirror assembly includes a transmit mirror portion and a receive mirror portion. The lidar system additionally includes a transmitter disposed within the interior space. The transmitter is configured to emit emission light into an environment of the lidar system along a transmit path. The lidar system also includes a receiver disposed within the interior space. The receiver is configured to detect return light that is received from the environment along a receive path. The lidar system additionally includes at least one optical baffle configured to minimize stray light in the interior space.

Abstract: An example lidar system includes a housing defining an interior space. The housing includes at least one optical window. The lidar system also includes a rotatable mirror assembly disposed within the interior space. The rotatable mirror assembly includes a transmit mirror portion and a receive mirror portion. The lidar system additionally includes a transmitter disposed within the interior space. The transmitter is configured to emit emission light into an environment of the lidar system along a transmit path. The lidar system also includes a receiver disposed within the interior space. The receiver is configured to detect return light that is received from the environment along a receive path. The lidar system additionally includes at least one optical baffle configured to minimize stray light in the interior space.

Abstract: Example embodiments described herein involve a static dome assembly for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems. The system may include a base. At least one LiDAR system may be coupled to the base. The at least one LiDAR system may be configured to transmit and receive light having one or more wavelengths. The assembly may further include a housing encompassing the at least one LiDAR system. The housing may be statically coupled to the base. The housing may further include a dome. The dome may include a wall that is transparent to the one or more wavelengths. The wall may also include a high impact polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) material having an index of refraction of less than 1.55.

Abstract: Example embodiments described herein involve a static dome assembly for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems. The system may include a base. At least one LiDAR system may be coupled to the base. The at least one LiDAR system may be configured to transmit and receive light having one or more wavelengths. The assembly may further include a housing encompassing the at least one LiDAR system. The housing may be statically coupled to the base. The housing may further include a dome. The dome may include a wall that is transparent to the one or more wavelengths. The wall may also include a high impact polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) material having an index of refraction of less than 1.55.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and devices having a rotatable mirror assembly. An example system includes a housing and a rotatable mirror assembly. The rotatable mirror assembly includes a plurality of reflective surfaces, a shaft defining a rotational axis, and a mirror body coupling the plurality of reflective surfaces to the shaft. The mirror body includes a plurality of flexible support members. The rotatable mirror assembly also includes a coupling bracket configured to removably couple the rotatable mirror assembly to the housing. The system also includes a transmitter configured to emit emission light into an environment of the system after interacting with at least one reflective surface of the plurality of reflective surfaces. The system additionally includes a receiver configured to detect return light from the environment after interacting with the at least one reflective surface of the plurality of reflective surfaces.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and vehicles, which may incorporate lidar sensors. An example optical system includes a light-emitter device configured to emit emission light. The optical system also includes an optical element including a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface includes a diffusing surface configured to diffuse the emission light to form diffused light. The second surface includes a focusing surface. A combination of the first surface and the second surface are configured to provide an intensity profile of light emitted within a field of view of the optical system.

Abstract: A dual-stage process is implemented to achieve a desired shape degree of flatness and parallelism of a reflective waveguide facet structure. In a first stage, a coarse substrate having two major surfaces opposite each other and a series of facets that approximate a target shape and degree of smoothness is formed. In a second stage, at least one major surface of the coarse substrate is coated with a veneer, and the veneer is shaped using a mold formed by a high-precision tool such as a diamond turned tool to the target shape and flatness of the series of facets. After the veneer is shaped to the desired shape and degree of flatness, the veneer is coated with a reflective coating and the series of facets is embedded in plastic.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and devices having a rotatable mirror assembly. An example system includes a housing and a rotatable mirror assembly. The rotatable mirror assembly includes a plurality of reflective surfaces, a shaft defining a rotational axis, and a mirror body coupling the plurality of reflective surfaces to the shaft. The mirror body includes a plurality of flexible support members. The rotatable mirror assembly also includes a coupling bracket configured to removably couple the rotatable mirror assembly to the housing. The system also includes a transmitter configured to emit emission light into an environment of the system after interacting with at least one reflective surface of the plurality of reflective surfaces. The system additionally includes a receiver configured to detect return light from the environment after interacting with the at least one reflective surface of the plurality of reflective surfaces.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and vehicles, which may incorporate lidar sensors. An example optical system includes a light-emitter device configured to emit emission light. The optical system also includes an optical element including a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface includes a diffusing surface configured to diffuse the emission light to form diffused light. The second surface includes a focusing surface configured to focus the diffused light to provide an intensity profile of light emitted within a field of view of the optical system.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to calibration systems for light detection and ranging (lidar) devices. An example calibration system includes a calibration target that includes a surface having at least one characterized reflectivity. The surface is configured to receive one or more calibration signals emitted by a lidar device along one or more optical axes when the lidar device is separated from the calibration target by an adjustable distance. The calibration system also includes at least one lens that modifies the one or more calibration signals. In addition, the system includes an adjustable attenuator configured to attenuate each of the one or more calibration signals to simulate, in combination with the at least one lens, a distance that is greater than the adjustable distance. Further, the system includes a calibration controller configured to analyze data associated with detected reflections of the one or more calibration signals.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to calibration systems for light detection and ranging (lidar) devices. An example calibration system includes a calibration target that includes a surface having at least one characterized reflectivity. The surface is configured to receive one or more calibration signals emitted by a lidar device along one or more optical axes when the lidar device is separated from the calibration target by an adjustable distance. The calibration system also includes at least one lens that modifies the one or more calibration signals. In addition, the system includes an adjustable attenuator configured to attenuate each of the one or more calibration signals to simulate, in combination with the at least one lens, a distance that is greater than the adjustable distance. Further, the system includes a calibration controller configured to analyze data associated with detected reflections of the one or more calibration signals.

Abstract: An example lidar system includes a housing defining an interior space. The housing includes at least one optical window. The lidar system also includes a rotatable mirror assembly disposed within the interior space. The rotatable mirror assembly includes a transmit mirror portion and a receive mirror portion. The lidar system additionally includes a transmitter disposed within the interior space. The transmitter is configured to emit emission light into an environment of the lidar system along a transmit path. The lidar system also includes a receiver disposed within the interior space. The receiver is configured to detect return light that is received from the environment along a receive path. The lidar system additionally includes at least one optical baffle configured to minimize stray light in the interior space.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and vehicles, which may incorporate lidar sensors. An example optical system includes a light-emitter device configured to emit emission light. The optical system also includes an optical element including a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface includes a diffusing surface configured to diffuse the emission light to form diffused light. The second surface includes a focusing surface. A combination of the first surface and the second surface are configured to provide an intensity profile of light emitted within a field of view of the optical system.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and devices having a rotatable mirror assembly. An example system includes a housing and a rotatable mirror assembly. The rotatable mirror assembly includes a plurality of reflective surfaces, a shaft defining a rotational axis, and a mirror body coupling the plurality of reflective surfaces to the shaft. The mirror body includes a plurality of flexible support members. The rotatable mirror assembly also includes a coupling bracket configured to removably couple the rotatable mirror assembly to the housing. The system also includes a transmitter configured to emit emission light into an environment of the system after interacting with at least one reflective surface of the plurality of reflective surfaces. The system additionally includes a receiver configured to detect return light from the environment after interacting with the at least one reflective surface of the plurality of reflective surfaces.

Abstract: A freeform projection display includes an optical emitter configured to output one or more wavelengths of light and an optical diffuser optically coupled to receive and disperse the one or more wavelengths of light from the optical emitter, wherein the optical diffuser has at least one radius of curvature. The freeform projection display further includes a refractive lens optically coupled to receive the one or more wavelengths of light from the optical diffuser and to project the one or more wavelengths of light. The freeform projection display further may include a light modulator disposed between the optical emitter and the optical diffuser, wherein the light modulator oscillates to project the image on the optical diffuser. An illuminated area of the optical diffuser is dimensioned so that the image produced by the light modulator fills an aperture of the refractive lens.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a holographic film having one or more reflective holograms recorded therein. One or more light sources positioned to direct light toward a corresponding one of the one or more holograms, and a dynamic mask positioned between the one or more light sources and the holographic film to spatially modulate light traveling between the one or more light sources and the one or more reflective holograms but not spatially modulate ambient light traveling through the hologram.

Abstract: A freeform projection display includes an optical emitter configured to output one or more wavelengths of light and an optical diffuser optically coupled to receive and disperse the one or more wavelengths of light from the optical emitter, wherein the optical diffuser has at least one radius of curvature. The freeform projection display further includes a refractive lens optically coupled to receive the one or more wavelengths of light from the optical diffuser and to project the one or more wavelengths of light. The freeform projection display further may include a light modulator disposed between the optical emitter and the optical diffuser, wherein the light modulator oscillates to project the image on the optical diffuser. An illuminated area of the optical diffuser is dimensioned so that the image produced by the light modulator fills an aperture of the refractive lens.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a transparent substrate having first and second sides, an array of LED micro-display panels, and an array of collimating reflectors. The LED micro-display panels are disposed within the transparent substrate between the first and second sides and oriented to emit sub-image portions of a display image towards the first side. The collimating reflectors are disposed within the transparent substrate between the first side and the array of LED micro-display panels. The collimating reflectors are aligned with the LED micro-display panels to reflect the sub-image portions back out the second side of the transparent substrate. The LED micro-display panels are offset from the collimating reflectors to expand the sub-image portions prior to reflection by the collimating reflectors.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a transparent substrate having first and second sides, an array of LED micro-display panels, and an array of collimating reflectors. The LED micro-display panels are disposed within the transparent substrate between the first and second sides and oriented to emit sub-image portions of a display image towards the first side. The collimating reflectors are disposed within the transparent substrate between the first side and the array of LED micro-display panels. The collimating reflectors are aligned with the LED micro-display panels to reflect the sub-image portions back out the second side of the transparent substrate. The LED micro-display panels are offset from the collimating reflectors to expand the sub-image portions prior to reflection by the collimating reflectors.