Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a light detector having a field of view, a beam-steering device, and a light emitter aimed at the beam-steering device. The beam-steering device is aimed to emit light from the light emitter into a field of illumination overlapping the field of view. The beam-steering device includes two beam-steering stages each having a polarization grating. The polarization gratings are designed to diffract light from the light emitter based on the polarization state of the light received by the polarization grating. The beam-steering device includes a switchable polarization selector designed to change the polarization state of the light to move the field of illumination relative to the field of view.

Abstract: A LiDAR sensor includes a light emitter designed to emit light into a field of illumination. The wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitter is dependent on the temperature of the light emitter. A light detector has a field of view overlapping the field of illumination. A bandpass filter is between the light detector and the field of illumination of the light emitter. The bandpass filter is designed to pass light to the light detector in a wavelength range that is dependent on the temperature of the bandpass filter. The LiDAR sensor includes at least one temperature controller. The light emitter is coupled to a temperature controller and the bandpass filter is coupled to a temperature controller. A method of operating the LiDAR sensor includes controlling the temperatures of the bandpass filter and the light emitter.

Abstract: A method includes applying a polymer to a mold, the mold having microstructures with the polymer flowing into the microstructures when applied to the mold. The method includes pressing an inorganic substrate onto the polymer. The method includes curing the polymer to fix the polymer to the inorganic substrate to form an optical element from the polymer and the inorganic substrate, the optical element having microstructures formed by the microstructures in the mold. The method includes releasing the optical element from the mold.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes alight emitter, a light detector, and a controller.

Abstract: An assembly includes an optical element having a light-shaping region. A light emitter is aimed into the optical element along an internal reflective path. The internal reflective path extends across the light-shaping region. A photodetector is positioned along the internal reflective path. Integrity of the optical element is determined based on detection of light from the light emitter along the internal reflective path by the photodetector.

Abstract: A method includes applying a polymer to a mold, the mold having microstructures with the polymer flowing into the microstructures when applied to the mold. The method includes pressing an inorganic substrate onto the polymer. The method includes curing the polymer to fix the polymer to the inorganic substrate to form an optical element from the polymer and the inorganic substrate, the optical element having microstructures formed by the microstructures in the mold. The method includes releasing the optical element from the mold.

Abstract: A Lidar system includes a photodetector having a field of view. The system includes a light emitter and an exit window positioned to transmit light from the light emitter into a field of illumination overlapping the field of view. The system includes a light-intensity pattern element between the light emitter and the exit window and designed to apply a pattern in the intensity of light across the field of illumination.

Abstract: An assembly includes an optical element having a light-shaping region. A light emitter is aimed into the optical element along an internal reflective path. The internal reflective path extends across the light-shaping region. A photodetector is positioned along the internal reflective path. Integrity of the optical element is determined based on detection of light from the light emitter along the internal reflective path by the photodetector.

Abstract: A Lidar system includes an illumination system that includes an optical element and a light emitter aimed at the optical element. An exit window is positioned to receive light directed from the optical element. The illumination system may include a light-receiving element including a beam dump and/or a photodetector. The light-receiving element is positioned to receive light directed from the optical element. The light-receiving element and the exit window are on the same side of the optical element. The illumination system may include a light shield between the photodetector and the exit window. The light shield is positioned to shield the photodetector from light passing through the exit window.

Abstract: A Lidar system includes an illumination system that includes a optical element and a light emitter aimed at the optical element. An exit window is positioned to receive light directed from the optical element. The illumination system may include a light-receiving element including a beam dump and/or a photodetector. The light-receiving element is positioned to receive light directed from the optical element. The light-receiving element and the exit window are on the same side of the optical element. The illumination system may include a light shield between the photodetector and the exit window. The light shield is positioned to shield the photodetector from light passing through the exit window.

Abstract: A laser system includes a laser module that generates a laser input beam. A first beam divergence structure is constructed and arranged to receive the laser input beam and to expand the laser input beam to a diverging beam. A second beam divergence structure is separate from and spaced from the first beam divergence structure. The second beam divergence structure is constructed and arranged to receive the diverging beam from the first beam divergence structure, creating an extended source, and to expand the diverging beam further into an output beam that illuminates an area. The second beam divergence structure defines a plane that a human eye cannot effectively see past so that the laser system can operate at higher power while maintaining a low laser classification.