Abstract: An optical device has a semiconductor chip with a photonic circuit. The photonic circuit includes a waveguide with a first portion and a second portion. A cross sectional area of the second portion of the waveguide is larger than a cross sectional area of the first portion of the waveguide. The first portion of the waveguide is positioned over a device platform. The waveguide includes a taper that provides a transition between the first portion of the waveguide and the second portion of the waveguide. The taper is an inverted taper that extends below the first portion of the waveguide into the device platform. The second portion of the waveguide terminates at a facet. A recess extends into the chip. The recess has lateral sides. A first one of the lateral sides serving as the facet. A second one of the lateral sides is positioned such that light signals that exit the waveguide through the facet travel across the recess to be received at the second lateral side.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes one or more optical components that output multiple system output signals. The system also includes electronics that use light from the system output signals to generate LIDAR data. The LIDAR data indicates a distance and/or radial velocity between the LIDAR system and one or more object located outside of the LIDAR system. The electronics including a series processing component that processes electrical signals that are each generated from one of the system output signals. The series processing component processes the electrical signals generated from different system output signals in series.

Abstract: The imaging system includes one or more cores. Each of the cores outputs a system output signal that illuminates multiple sample regions in a field of view. A subject one of the cores includes a light combiner that generates a composite signal beating at a beat frequency. Electronics use a value of the beat frequency to calculate multiple different possible LIDAR data solutions for a subject one of the sample regions illuminated by the system output signal output from the subject core. Each of the possible LIDAR data solutions includes a comparative component that indicates a value of a radial velocity between the LIDAR system and an object in the subject sample region. The electronics identify a correct one of the LIDAR data solutions by comparing the LIDAR data solutions to data calculated for one or more reference sample regions selected from among the sample regions. The one or more reference sample regions are different from the subject sample region.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a waveguide array configured to output a LIDAR output signal such that the LIDAR output signal is reflected by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The system also includes electronics configured to tune a wavelength of the LIDAR output signal such that the direction that the LIDAR output signal travels away from the LIDAR chip changes in response to the tuning of the wavelength by the electronics.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a waveguide array configured to output a LIDAR output signal such that the LIDAR output signal is reflected by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The system also includes electronics configured to tune a wavelength of the LIDAR output signal such that the direction that the LIDAR output signal travels away from the LIDAR chip changes in response to the tuning of the wavelength by the electronics.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a signal director that can direct an outgoing LIDAR signal to any one of multiple different alternate waveguides. Each of the alternate waveguides being associated with a different switch channel in that a light signal that includes light from the outgoing LIDAR signal directed to a particular one of the alternate waveguides can be characterized as carrying the switch channel associated with that alternate waveguide. The LIDAR system is configured to output system output signals that include light from the outgoing LIDAR signals. The system output signals carry different switch channels. The LIDAR system is configured to receive system return signals that each includes light from the system output signals after an object located outside of the system has received and reflected the system output signal. A signal combiner that generates different composite signals by combining light from system return signals that carry different switch channels with a reference signal.

Abstract: The imaging system includes a light source having a laser cavity. A light signal resonates in the laser cavity along an optical path that includes a tunable electro-optic configured to select wavelengths in multiple different wavelength bands. Electronics tune the electro-optic such the selection of wavelengths in the wavelength bands change in response to the tuning. The optical path includes a second optical component configured to select wavelengths in multiple different second wavelength bands. The output of the laser cavity has wavelengths that are common to one of the wavelength bands and one of the second wavelength bands.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to polarization separation of incoming light signals associated with an imaging system, such as a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system. Example embodiments describe a system configured to direct incoming light signals to a polarization separator and capture the two polarization states of the incoming light signals. The system may process the two polarization states of the incoming light signals separately to extract information associated with reflecting objects within the field-of-view of the imaging system. The polarization separator may be a birefringent crystal positioned adjacent to an edge of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that is used for processing outgoing and incoming light signals associated with the imaging system. The PIC may include at least one on-chip polarization rotator for converting a light signal of one polarization state to a light signal of another polarization state.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip and local electronics that receive signals from the LIDAR chip. The local electronics are configured to operate one or more components on the LIDAR chip such that the LIDAR chip transmits an optical data signal from the LIDAR chip such that optical data signal includes data generated from the signals received from the LIDAR chip.

Abstract: A Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LIDAR system has a LIDAR chip configured to output a LIDAR output signal with a wavelength between 1290 nm and 1310 nm. The LIDAR chip is also configured to receive a LIDAR input signal from off of the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR input signal including light from the LIDAR output signal after reflection of the LIDAR output signal by an object located off the LIDAR chip. The LIDAR chip is configured to generate a composite signal that includes light from a comparative light signal and light from a reference signal. The comparative signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal but the reference signal does not include light from the LIDAR output signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to polarization separation of laser signals and/or incoming light signals associated with an imaging system, such as a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system. Example embodiments describe a system configured to direct incoming light signals to a polarization separator and capturing the two polarization states of the incoming light signals. In some instances, the laser signal may be converted into two different polarization states. The system may individually process the two polarization states of the incoming light signals along with the corresponding polarization state of the laser reference signal to extract information associated with reflecting objects within the field-of-view of the imaging system. The polarization separator may be a birefringent crystal positioned adjacent to an edge of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that is used for processing outgoing and incoming light signals associated with the imaging system.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to high speed remote imaging systems, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems. Example embodiments describe systems that are configured to mitigate a walk-off effect that may limit a speed of operation of the imaging system. The walk-off effect may be characterized by a failure to steer returning signals to a designated input facet of the imaging system due to continuous rotation of mirrors associated with the steering mechanisms. The walk-off effect may be mitigating by configuring more than one input waveguide to receiving returning signals associated with an output signal. The input waveguides may be spaced apart and configured to sequentially receive the input signals. In some embodiments, walk-off mitigation may extend a range of operation of the imaging systems.

Abstract: The optical manifold has multiple cores that each generates an outgoing LIDAR signal that carries one or more channels. Scanning heads are located apart from the manifold. Each scanning head is associated with one of the cores and is configured such that each scanning head receives an outgoing LIDAR signal from the associated core. The scanning heads are each configured to transmit one or more LIDAR output signals that each carries light from a different one of the channels and such that the different LIDAR output signals each travels away from the scanning head in a different direction. Each of the cores is associated with different core electronics. The core electronics are configured to tune a property of one of the outgoing LIDAR signals such that the tuning of the property causes a change to the direction that the one or more LIDAR output signals travel away from the scanning head associated with the core electronics.

Abstract: An imaging system has multiple cores that each outputs a system output signal that illuminates multiple sample regions in a field of view for the system. A first portion of the cores are each a range and velocity core and a second portion of the cores are each a velocity core. The system includes electronics that calculate a radial velocity and range for the sample regions illuminated by the range and velocity cores from the beat frequency of a composite signal generated by the range and velocity cores. The electronics also calculate a radial velocity range for the sample regions illuminated by the velocity cores from a beat frequency of a composite signal generated by the velocity cores. The electronics use the ranges calculated for the sample regions illuminated by the range and velocity cores to estimate the ranges for the velocity cores.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source that outputs an outgoing LIDAR signal that includes multiple different channels. The LIDAR system also generate multiple composite light signals that each carries a signal couple and are each associated with a different one of the channels. A signal couple includes a reference signal and an associated comparative signal. The comparative signals each include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal that has been reflected by one or more objects located outside of the LIDAR system. The reference signals also include light from the outgoing LIDAR signal but also exclude light that has been reflected by any object located outside of the LIDAR system. There is a frequency differential between a frequency of the reference signal and a frequency of the associated comparative signal. The frequency differential includes a contribution from a frequency offset that is induced by electronics.

Abstract: The LIDAR system includes a first transform component configured to perform a complex mathematical transform on first signals. The LIDAR system also includes a second transform component configured to perform a real mathematical transform on second signals. Electronics are configured to use an output of the first transform component in combination with an output of the second transformation component to generate LIDAR data.

Abstract: An on-chip optical switch based on an echelle grating and a phase tuning element is described herein. The phase tuning element may change a refractive index of the material through which an optical signal propagates, thereby causing a change in the angle of propagation of the optical signal. By dynamically tuning the phase change element, the refractive index change may be controlled such that the deviation of the optical signal causes the optical signal to be focused on a particular coupling waveguide out of an array of coupling waveguides. The echelle grating with the active phase change element form a configurable optical switch capable of switching an optical signal between two or more coupling waveguides, that may be respectively connected to different optical signal processing pathways.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has a transmitter that outputs a system output signal from the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that control a frequency of the system output signal over a series of cycles. The cycles include multiple data periods. The electronics change the frequency of the system output signal at a first rate during a first one of the data periods. The electronics change the frequency of the system output signal at a second rate during a second one of the data periods. The second rate is different from the first rate.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured that outputs a LIDAR output signal. The LIDAR system also includes a LIDAR adapter that receives the LIDAR output signal from the LIDAR chip and also outputs the LIDAR output signal from the LIDAR system and toward a sample region in a field of view. The LIDAR adapter also receives a LIDAR return signal that includes light from the LIDAR output signal after the LIDAR output signal is reflected by an object located in the sample region. The LIDAR output signal and the LIDAR return signal travel the same optical pathway between the LIDAR adapter and the object. The LIDAR adapter is also configured to output a LIDAR input signal that is received by the LIDAR chip and includes or consists of light from the LIDAR return signal. The LIDAR input signal and the LIDAR output signal travel different optical pathways between the LIDAR adapter and the LIDAR chip.

Abstract: The imaging system has a photonic circuit chip that includes multiple cores that each includes a port through which an outgoing optical signal exits the photonic circuit chip. Each of the cores is configured such that the outgoing signal exits the photonic circuit chip traveling toward a location that is above or below the photonic circuit chip. Additionally, each of the cores is configured to combine light from one of the outgoing signals with a reference signal so as to generate a signal beating at a beat frequency. The imaging system also includes electronics that use the beat frequencies from the cores to calculate data that indicates a radial velocity and/or distance between the system and one or more objects located outside of the system.