Abstract: A LIDAR system has a semiconductor chip with a lateral side between the top side and the bottom side of the semiconductor chip. The lateral side includes a curved portion. The semiconductor chip also includes a slab waveguide with a facet defined by the curved portion of the lateral side of the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip is configured to guide outgoing LIDAR signals through the slab waveguide such that the outgoing LIDAR signal exits the slab waveguide through the curved portion of the lateral side.

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: An optical system has a LIDAR chip that includes a switch configured to direct an outgoing LIDAR signal to one of multiple different alternate waveguides. The system also includes a redirection component configured to receive the outgoing LIDAR signal from any one of the alternate waveguides. The redirection component is also configured to redirect the received outgoing LIDAR signal such that a direction that the outgoing LIDAR signal travels away from the redirection component changes in response to changes in the alternate waveguide to which the optical switch directs the outgoing LIDAR signal.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a utility waveguide that guides an outgoing LIDAR signal precursor. The LIDAR system also includes multiple preliminary alternate waveguides that each guides a preliminary outgoing LIDAR signal that includes light from the outgoing LIDAR signal precursor. The LIDAR system includes amplifiers that are each configured to receive one of the preliminary outgoing LIDAR signals from a different one of the preliminary alternate waveguides. Each of the amplifiers outputs an outgoing LIDAR signal that includes light from one of the preliminary outgoing LIDAR signals. The LIDAR system includes multiple alternate waveguides that each receives one of the outgoing LIDAR signals from a different one of the amplifiers. Electronics operate the amplifiers such that one of the amplifiers serve as an active amplifier and one or more of the amplifiers each serves as inactive amplifier.

Abstract: The imaging system includes a LIDAR system with an optical component assembly that concurrently outputs multiple system output signals in a field of view. The system output signals carry the same wavelength channel. The imaging system includes solid-state beam steerers that are each configured to steer one of the system output signals to multiple different pixels within the field of view. The pixels are arranged such that a density of the pixels in the field of view is higher in a concentrated region of the field of view than in a diluted region of the field of view. The optical component assembly is configured such that the location of the concentrated region of the field of view shifts within the field of view in response to a change in a wavelength of the wavelength channel carried by the system output signals.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has a semiconductor chip configured to concurrently output multiple LIDAR output signals. The semiconductor chip includes alternate waveguides. Each of the alternate waveguides carries a different outgoing LIDAR signal. Each of the LIDAR output signals includes light from a different one of the LIDAR output signals. The semiconductor chip includes a reflecting surface that receives incoming LIDAR signals that each includes light from a different one of the LIDAR output signals. The semiconductor chip also includes comparative waveguides. Each of the comparative waveguides receives a comparative signal from the reflecting surface. Each of the comparative signals includes light from a different one of the incoming LIDAR signals.

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: The LIDAR system outputs a system output signal and receives a system return signal that includes light from the system output signal that was reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system includes data lines that each carries a different preliminary channel signal. A selection of the preliminary channel signals is beating at a beat frequency. Each of the preliminary channel signals in the selection of the preliminary channel signals is generated from light included in the system return signal. The LIDAR system includes bandpass filter components. Each of the bandpass filter components receives a different one of the preliminary channel signals and outputs a channel signal on a different filtered data line. The channel signal output by each of the bandpass filter components is a representation of the preliminary channel signal received by the bandpass filter component filtered by one or more bandpass filters included in the bandpass filter component.

Abstract: A LIDAR system is configured to scan a system output signal in the field of view of the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system includes a signal director configured to direct an outgoing LIDAR signal to a portion of multiple different waveguides. The system output signal includes light from the outgoing LIDAR signal and the system output signal travels away from the LIDAR system in different directions in response to the outgoing LIDAR signal being directed to a different selection of the waveguides. The LIDAR system includes electronics configured to operate the signal director such that during a first scan of a region of the field of view by the system output signal the outgoing LIDAR signal is directed to a first selection of the waveguides. The electronics are also configured to operate the signal director such that during a second scan of the region of the field of view by the system output signal the outgoing LIDAR signal is directed to a second selection of the waveguides.

Abstract: A LIDAR system transmits a system output signal from the LIDAR system such that a sample region is illuminated by the system output signal. The LIDAR system includes a first light signal combiner configured to combine light that returns to the LIDAR system from the system output signal with light from a reference signal so as to generate a composite signal beating at a composite beat frequency. The LIDAR system includes a local light signal combiner configured to combine a first local signal with a second local signal so as to generate a local beating signal beating at a local beat frequency. The reference signal, the system output signal, the first local signal, and the second local signal each includes light from an outgoing LIDAR signal. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that perform a calculation of LIDAR data for the sample region.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured to output a LIDAR output signal. The LIDAR chip includes a waveguide array. A steering mechanism is configured to control a direction that a system output signal travels away from the LIDAR system. The system output signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal. A location that a comparative signal is incident on the waveguide array changes in response to the steering mechanism changing a direction that the system output signal travels away from the LIDAR system. The comparative signal includes light from the system output signal after the system output signal has been reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system.

Abstract: A LIDAR system outputs a system output signal that includes light from an outbound LIDAR signal. The LIDAR system includes a chromatic disperser that receives the outbound LIDAR signal and is configured to cause chromatic dispersion of the outbound LIDAR signal. The LIDAR system includes a light source that generates wavelength channel signals that each carries one of multiple different wavelength channels. The outbound LIDAR carries one of the wavelength channels from one of the wavelength channel signals. The light source is operated so as to change the wavelength channel carried by the outbound LIDAR signal. The direction that the outbound LIDAR signal travels away from the chromatic disperser changes in response to the change in the wavelength channel carried by the outbound LIDAR signal. Additionally, the direction that the system output signal travels away from the LIDAR system changes in response to the change in the direction that the outbound LIDAR signal travels away from the chromatic disperser.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip configured to output a LIDAR output signal. The LIDAR chip includes a waveguide array. A steering mechanism is configured to control a direction that a system output signal travels away from the LIDAR system. The system output signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal. A location that a comparative signal is incident on the waveguide array changes in response to the steering mechanism changing a direction that the system output signal travels away from the LIDAR system. The comparative signal includes light from the system output signal after the system output signal has been reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to generate an outgoing light signal that includes multiple channels that are each of a different wavelength. The system includes optical components that generate composite light signals. Each composite light signal includes light from a LIDAR input signal combined with light from a reference signal. The LIDAR input signals each includes light that was reflected by an object located apart from the system and that was included also in one of the channels. The reference signals do not include light that was reflected by the object but include light from one of the channels. Each of the composite signals is generated such that the reference signal and the LIDAR input included in the composite signal includes light from the same channel.

Abstract: The imaging system includes a photonic circuit chip having multiple cores. Each of the cores includes an optical switch and multiple alternate waveguides. The optical switch in each core is configured to direct an outgoing light signal to any one of the alternate waveguides, the alternate waveguide to which the outgoing light signal is directed being an active waveguide. Each core outputs the outgoing LIDAR signal from the active waveguide while receiving an incoming LIDAR signal that includes light from the outgoing LIDAR signal, has exited from the imaging system, and has returned to the imaging system. Each core includes a signal splitter that receives the outgoing LIDAR signal and the incoming LIDAR signal. The signal splitter extracts a portion of the outgoing LIDAR signal that serves as a reference signal and at least a portion of the incoming LIDAR signal that serves as a comparative signal.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has multiple optical components. At least one of the optical components is configured to output a LIDAR output signal that travels away from the LIDAR system and can be reflected by an object located outside of the LIDAR system. The LIDAR system also includes electronics configured to operate one or more of the optical components so as to tune the frequency of the LIDAR output signal without changing an amplitude of the LIDAR output signal.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has a switch configured to direct a switch signal to one of multiple different alternate waveguides such that the alternate waveguide to which the switch directs the switch signal receives the switch signal from the switch. The switch signal carries multiple different channels. The system also includes an optical grating that receive multiple different channel output signals. Each of the channel output signals includes light from the switch signal and carries a different one of the channels. The optical grating outputs the channel output signal such that a direction that each of the channel output signals travels away from the optical grating changes in response to a change in the alternate waveguide to which the switch directs the switch signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip has a photonic integrated circuit with a first waveguide and a second waveguide. an optical bridge is positioned over a first one of the faces of the semiconductor chip. The optical bridge is configured to receive a light signal from the first waveguide and the second waveguide is configured to receive the light signal from the optical bridge. The optical bridge holds an optical device and is configured to direct the light signal along a first optical pathway and along a second optical pathway. The first optical pathway, the optical device, and the second optical pathway are arranged such that the light signal received from the first waveguide travels through the optical bridge along the first optical pathway, then through the optical device, and then through the optical bridge along the second optical pathway before being received at the second waveguide.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to generate an outgoing light signal that includes multiple channels that are each of a different wavelength. The system includes optical components that generate composite light signals. Each composite light signal includes light from a LIDAR input signal combined with light from a reference signal. The LIDAR input signals each includes light that was reflected by an object located apart from the system and that was included also in one of the channels. The reference signals do not include light that was reflected by the object but include light from one of the channels. Each of the composite signals is generated such that the reference signal and the LIDAR input included in the composite signal includes light from the same channel.

Abstract: A LIDAR system concurrently outputs multiple LIDAR output signals that concurrently illuminate the same sample region in a field of view for a data period. The sample region is one of multiple sample regions included in the field of view. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that use the multiple LIDAR output signals to generate LIDAR data for the sample region. The LIDAR data includes a distance and/or a radial velocity between the LIDAR system and an object that reflects the LIDAR output signals.