Abstract: A LIDAR system includes an optical transmitter comprising a plurality of lasers, each illuminating a FOV in an illumination region. A transmitter controller has outputs connected to respective laser inputs. The transmitter controller generates electrical pulses at the outputs so that the lasers generate light in a desired pattern in the illumination region. An optical receiver has an input FOV in the illumination region and comprises a plurality of detectors, each having a FOV and being positioned to detect light over the illumination region; and a TOF measurement circuit that measures the TOF from the lasers to the detectors. The receiver calculates range information. An adaptive optical shutter positioned between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver has a transparent or reflected region FOV, where the optical shutter restricts illumination at the input of the optical receiver to a region which is smaller than the optical receiver FOV.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes an optical transmitter comprising a plurality of lasers, each illuminating a FOV in an illumination region. A transmitter controller has outputs connected to respective laser inputs. The transmitter controller generates electrical pulses at the outputs so that the lasers generate light in a desired pattern in the illumination region. An optical receiver has an input FOV in the illumination region and comprises a plurality of detectors, each having a FOV and being positioned to detect light over the illumination region; and a TOF measurement circuit that measures the TOF from the lasers to the detectors. The receiver calculates range information. An adaptive optical shutter positioned between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver has a transparent or reflected region FOV, where the optical shutter restricts illumination at the input of the optical receiver to a region which is smaller than the optical receiver FOV.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a plurality of lasers that generate an optical beam having a FOV. A plurality of detectors are positioned where a FOV of at least one of the plurality of optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers overlaps a FOV of at least two of the plurality of detectors. The lens system collimates and projects the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the plurality of lasers and the lens system to cause relative motion between the plurality of lasers and the lens system in a direction that is orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens system so as to cause relative motion between the FOVs of the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers and the FOVs of the detectors.

Abstract: A solid-state LIDAR system includes a plurality of lasers, each generating an optical beam having a FOV when energized. A plurality of detectors is positioned in an optical path of the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers. A FOV of at least one of the plurality of optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers overlaps a FOV of at least two of the plurality of detectors. A controller is configured to generate bias signals at a plurality of laser control outputs that energize a selected group of the plurality of lasers in a predetermined time sequence and is configured to detect a predetermined sequence of detector signals generated by the plurality of detectors.

Abstract: A solid-state LIDAR system includes a plurality of lasers, each generating an optical beam having a FOV when energized. A plurality of detectors is positioned in an optical path of the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers. A FOV of at least one of the plurality of optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers overlaps a FOV of at least two of the plurality of detectors. A controller is configured to generate bias signals at a plurality of laser control outputs that energize a selected group of the plurality of lasers in a predetermined time sequence and is configured to detect a predetermined sequence of detector signals generated by the plurality of detectors.

Abstract: A LiDAR transmitter with optical power monitoring includes a laser array positioned in a first plane that generates optical beams that propagate along an optical path. A first projecting optical element positioned in the optical path projects the plurality of optical beams to overlap at a common point. A second projecting optical element projects light from the first projecting optical element in a direction of transmission. A directing optical element positioned at the common point in the optical path of the plurality of beams produces an illumination region with light from each of the plurality of beams in a second plane. A monitor generates a detected signal in response to the collected light. A controller generates the electrical signal in response to the detected signal that controls the laser to achieve a desired operation of the LiDAR system transmitter.

Abstract: A solid-state LIDAR transmitter includes a laser array comprising first and second laser pixels that each generate first and second sub-aperture beams. A first microlens focuses first and second sub-aperture beams generated by the first laser pixel and focuses first and second sub-aperture beams generated by the second laser pixel. A second microlens directs the first and second sub-aperture beams generated by the first pixel such that they overlap at a plane. A lens projects the first sub-aperture beam generated by the first laser pixel and the first sub-aperture beam generated by the second laser pixel with a different angle in the far field in order to achieve a desired spatial resolution of the LIDAR system.

Abstract: A solid-state LIDAR system includes a plurality of lasers, each generating an optical beam having a FOV when energized. A plurality of detectors is positioned in an optical path of the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers. A FOV of at least one of the plurality of optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers overlaps a FOV of at least two of the plurality of detectors. A controller is configured to generate bias signals at a plurality of laser control outputs that energize a selected group of the plurality of lasers in a predetermined time sequence and is configured to detect a predetermined sequence of detector signals generated by the plurality of detectors.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a plurality of lasers that generate an optical beam having a FOV. A plurality of detectors are positioned where a FOV of at least one of the plurality of optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers overlaps a FOV of at least two of the plurality of detectors. The lens system collimates and projects the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers. An actuator is coupled to at least one of the plurality of lasers and the lens system to cause relative motion between the plurality of lasers and the lens system in a direction that is orthogonal to an optical axis of the lens system so as to cause relative motion between the FOVs of the optical beams generated by the plurality of lasers and the FOVs of the detectors.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a first optical transmitter comprising a plurality of first emitters, where each of the plurality of first emitters is positioned to generate an optical beam with a FOV at a target range when energized. A second optical transmitter includes a plurality of second emitters, where each of the plurality of second emitters is positioned to generate an optical beam with a FOV at the target range when energized. The first and second optical transmitters are positioned relative to each other so the FOVs of at least some of the optical beams generated by the first and second optical transmitter when energized overlap at the target range. An optical receiver includes a plurality of optical detectors, where a respective one of the plurality of optical detectors is positioned to detect a respective optical beam generated by at least one of the first and second optical transmitter and reflected by a target in the FOV at the target range.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes an optical transmitter comprising a plurality of lasers, each illuminating a FOV in an illumination region. A transmitter controller has outputs connected to respective laser inputs. The transmitter controller generates electrical pulses at the outputs so that the lasers generate light in a desired pattern in the illumination region. An optical receiver has an input FOV in the illumination region and comprises a plurality of detectors, each having a FOV and being positioned to detect light over the illumination region; and a TOF measurement circuit that measures the TOF from the lasers to the detectors. The receiver calculates range information. An adaptive optical shutter positioned between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver has a transparent or reflected region FOV, where the optical shutter restricts illumination at the input of the optical receiver to a region which is smaller than the optical receiver FOV.

Abstract: Optical systems for routing light that reduce or eliminate polarization-dependent loss are provided. Such optical systems generally accommodate an optical element that has an intrinsic polarization-dependent loss and which is disposed to be encountered twice by the light being routed. In some instances, the optical element may be a dispersive element such as a diffraction grating or prism, but the invention has more general applicability. The optical system additionally includes both a reflective element and a wave plate assembly disposed to be encountered by the light between encounters with the dispersive element.

Abstract: Optical systems for routing light that reduce or eliminate polarization-dependent loss are provided. Such optical systems generally accommodate an optical element that has an intrinsic polarization-dependent loss and which is disposed to be encountered twice by the light being routed. In some instances, the optical element may be a dispersive element such as a diffraction grating or prism, but the invention has more general applicability. The optical system additionally includes both a reflective element and a wave plate assembly disposed to be encountered by the light between encounters with the dispersive element.

Abstract: Holographic systems which shape coherent light beams are disclosed. These holographic systems may beam-shaping devices positioned in the path of coherent light beams to shape a coherent light beam into an essentially diffraction noise free coherent light beam of predetermined dimensions that has a continuous light beam profile of distinct intensity zones.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a device for sensing an absolute position of an encoded object, comprising: a position tracking module comprising: a track illumination module configured to illuminate the encoded object with one more light beams, and to detect one or more light beams resulting from said illumination of said encoded object; and an absolute position determinator configured to determine the absolute position of the encoded object based on said one or more light beams resulting from said illumination of said encoded object.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a device for sensing an absolute position of an encoded object, comprising: a position tracking module comprising: a track illumination module configured to illuminate the encoded object with one more light beams, and to detect one or more light beams resulting from said illumination of said encoded object; and an absolute position determinator configured to determine the absolute position of the encoded object based on said one or more light beams resulting from said illumination of said encoded object.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a device for sensing an absolute position of an encoded object, comprising: a position tracking module comprising: a track illumination module configured to illuminate the encoded object with one more light beams, and to detect one or more light beams resulting from said illumination of said encoded object; and an absolute position determinator configured to determine the absolute position of the encoded object based on said one or more light beams resulting from said illumination of said encoded object.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided or use with a light source which generates a light beam. These systems may include a detector which detects light beam information and which determines whether multiple modes are present in the light beam so that the light source may be adjusted. These systems may further include a beam splitting device, such as an optical wedge, to provide two sample beams that intersect to provide a fringe pattern. The detector may then detect this fringe pattern and compute a visibility value that may be used to determine whether multiple modes are present.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system comprising a holographic data storage drive that records holographic digital data in a holographic recording medium, and which comprises: a data beam path having a first optical path length; and a reference beam path having a second optical path length; wherein one of the data beam and reference beams paths comprise an optical delay line so that the difference between the first and second optical path lengths is less than the laser coherence length. The present invention further relates to a method for operating a laser in the holographic data storage drive in a multi-mode state during the recording of holographic digital data the holographic medium without adverse effects on the strength of the interference patterns formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embodiments of a process for subjecting a holographic storage medium to illuminative treatment to: (1) enhance or optimize recording of holographic data; (2) enhance or optimize reading of recorded holographic data; and/or (3) erase recorded holographic data. The present invention also relates to embodiments of a system comprising: (a) an illuminative treatment beam; (b) means for reducing the coherence of the beam and (c) means for transmitting the reduced coherence beam to cause illuminative treatment of: (1) an unrecorded portion of a holographic storage medium to provide pre-cured portions having increased ability to stably record holographic data; (2) a recorded portion of a holographic storage medium to provide a post-cured portion having reduced residual sensitivity; and/or (3) a recorded portion of a holographic storage medium having holographic data to provide an erased portion wherein at least some of the recorded holographic data is erased.