Patents by Inventor Mial E. Warren

Mial E. Warren has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12191635
    Abstract: A VCSEL/VECSEL array design is disclosed that results in arrays that can be directly soldered to a PCB using conventional surface-mount assembly and soldering techniques for mass production. The completed VCSEL array does not need a separate package and no precision sub-mount and flip-chip bonding processes are required. The design allows for on-wafer probing of the completed arrays prior to singulation of the die from the wafer. Embodiments relate to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to multibeam arrays of semiconductor lasers for high power and high frequency applications and methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard F. Carson, Nein-Yi Li, Mial E. Warren
  • Patent number: 11482835
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for enabling a series-connected, single chip vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. In one aspect, the single chip includes one or more non-conductive regions one the conductive layer to produce a plurality of electrically separate conductive regions. Each electrically separate region may have a plurality of VCSEL elements, including an anode region and a cathode region connected in series. The chip is connected to a sub-mount with a metallization pattern, which connects each electrically separate region on the conductive layer in series. In one aspect, the metallization pattern connects the anode region of a first electrically separate region to the cathode region of a second electrically separate region. The metallization pattern may also comprise cuts that maintain electrical separation between the anode and cathode regions on each conductive layer region, and that align with the etched regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard F. Carson, Nein-Yi Li, Mial E. Warren, Thomas Fanning, Gianluca Bacchin
  • Patent number: 11451013
    Abstract: A wide-angle illuminator module including a rigid support structure having a plurality of angled faces, a flexible circuit including one or more VCSEL arrays, each VCSEL array positioned over a face among the plurality of angled faces, each VCSEL array including a plurality of integrated microlenses with one microlens positioned over each VCSEL in the VCSEL array, and a driver circuit for providing electrical pulses to each VCSEL array, wherein the plurality of VCSEL arrays address illumination zones in a combined field of illumination. The support structure may also be a heatsink. The flexible circuit may be a single flexible circuit configured to be placed over the support structure or a plurality of flexible circuits, each including one VCSEL array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: Preethi Dacha, David Podva, Mial E. Warren
  • Publication number: 20220082733
    Abstract: Embodiments comprise a system created through fabricating a lens array through which lasers are emitted. The lens array may be fabricated in the semiconductor substrate used for fabricating the lasers or may be a separate substrate of other transparent material that would be aligned to the lasers. In some embodiments, more lenses may be produced than will eventually be used by the lasers. The inner portion of the substrate may be formed with the lenses that will be used for emitting lasers, and the outer portion of the substrate may be formed with lenses that will not be used for emitting lasers—rather, through etching these additional lenses, the inner lenses may be created with a higher quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Richard F. CARSON, John R. JOSEPH, Mial E. WARREN, Thomas A. WILCOX
  • Patent number: 11187831
    Abstract: Embodiments comprise a system created through fabricating a lens array through which lasers are emitted. The lens array may be fabricated in the semiconductor substrate used for fabricating the lasers or may be a separate substrate of other transparent material that would be aligned to the lasers. In some embodiments, more lenses may be produced than will eventually be used by the lasers. The inner portion of the substrate may be formed with the lenses that will be used for emitting lasers, and the outer portion of the substrate may be formed with lenses that will not be used for emitting lasers—rather, through etching these additional lenses, the inner lenses may be created with a higher quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard F. Carson, John R. Joseph, Mial E. Warren, Thomas A. Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20210367410
    Abstract: A wide-angle illuminator module including a rigid support structure having a plurality of angled faces, a flexible circuit including one or more VCSEL arrays, each VCSEL array positioned over a face among the plurality of angled faces, each VCSEL array including a plurality of integrated microlenses with one microlens positioned over each VCSEL in the VCSEL array, and a driver circuit for providing electrical pulses to each VCSEL array, wherein the plurality of VCSEL arrays address illumination zones in a combined field of illumination. The support structure may also be a heatsink. The flexible circuit may be a single flexible circuit configured to be placed over the support structure or a plurality of flexible circuits, each including one VCSEL array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Preethi DACHA, David PODVA, Mial E. WARREN
  • Patent number: 11095365
    Abstract: A wide-angle illuminator module including a rigid support structure having a plurality of angled faces, a flexible circuit including one or more VCSEL arrays, each VCSEL array positioned over a face among the plurality of angled faces, each VCSEL array including a plurality of integrated microlenses with one microlens positioned over each VCSEL in the VCSEL array, and a driver circuit for providing electrical pulses to each VCSEL array, wherein the plurality of VCSEL arrays address illumination zones in a combined field of illumination. The support structure may also be a heatsink. The flexible circuit may be a single flexible circuit configured to be placed over the support structure or a plurality of flexible circuits, each including one VCSEL array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: Preethi Dacha, David Podva, Mial E. Warren
  • Publication number: 20210194217
    Abstract: A VCSEL/VECSEL array design is disclosed that results in arrays that can be directly soldered to a PCB using conventional surface-mount assembly and soldering techniques for mass production. The completed VCSEL array does not need a separate package and no precision sub-mount and flip-chip bonding processes are required. The design allows for on-wafer probing of the completed arrays prior to singulation of the die from the wafer. Embodiments relate to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to multibeam arrays of semiconductor lasers for high power and high frequency applications and methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Richard F. CARSON, Nein-Yi LI, Mial E. WARREN
  • Patent number: 11022724
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein relate to optical assemblies for spatial multiplexing, multi-zone illumination, and optical assemblies. In embodiments, light source arrays are aligned with one or more micro-lens assemblies to generate a specific field of illumination. In embodiments, surface-emitting light sources may be light-emitting diodes and/or surface-emitting lasers. The micro-lens array may be aligned with the light source arrays, on-axis or off-axis to a principal axis of corresponding lenses such that the light sources may be expanded to a desired divergence and field of illumination. In embodiments, multiple light sources may be combined to increase power output for a specific area of the field of illumination, and light sources may be driven independently depending on intended illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard F. Carson, Preethi Dacha, Mial E. Warren
  • Patent number: 10944242
    Abstract: A VCSEL/VECSEL array design is disclosed that results in arrays that can be directly soldered to a PCB using conventional surface-mount assembly and soldering techniques for mass production. The completed VCSEL array does not need a separate package and no precision sub-mount and flip-chip bonding processes are required. The design allows for on-wafer probing of the completed arrays prior to singulation of the die from the wafer. Embodiments relate to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to multibeam arrays of semiconductor lasers for high power and high frequency applications and methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lumentum Operations LLC
    Inventors: Richard F. Carson, Nein-Yi Li, Mial E. Warren
  • Publication number: 20200335942
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for enabling a series-connected, single chip vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. In one aspect, the single chip includes one or more non-conductive regions one the conductive layer to produce a plurality of electrically separate conductive regions. Each electrically separate region may have a plurality of VCSEL elements, including an anode region and a cathode region connected in series. The chip is connected to a sub-mount with a metallization pattern, which connects each electrically separate region on the conductive layer in series. In one aspect, the metallization pattern connects the anode region of a first electrically separate region to the cathode region of a second electrically separate region. The metallization pattern may also comprise cuts that maintain electrical separation between the anode and cathode regions on each conductive layer region, and that align with the etched regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Richard F. CARSON, Nein-Yi LI, Mial E. WARREN
  • Publication number: 20200310005
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein relate to optical assemblies for spatial multiplexing, multi-zone illumination, and optical assemblies. In embodiments, light source arrays are aligned with one or more micro-lens assemblies to generate a specific field of illumination. In embodiments, surface-emitting light sources may be light-emitting diodes and/or surface-emitting lasers. The micro-lens array may be aligned with the light source arrays, on-axis or off-axis to a principal axis of corresponding lenses such that the light sources may be expanded to a desired divergence and field of illumination. In embodiments, multiple light sources may be combined to increase power output for a specific area of the field of illumination, and light sources may be driven independently depending on intended illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Richard F. Carson, Preethi Dacha, Mial E. Warren
  • Patent number: 10756515
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for enabling a series-connected, single chip vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. In one aspect, the single chip includes one or more non-conductive regions one the conductive layer to produce a plurality of electrically separate conductive regions. Each electrically separate region may have a plurality of VCSEL elements, including an anode region and a cathode region connected in series. The chip is connected to a sub-mount with a metallization pattern, which connects each electrically separate region on the conductive layer in series. In one aspect, the metallization pattern connects the anode region of a first electrically separate region to the cathode region of a second electrically separate region. The metallization pattern may also comprise cuts that maintain electrical separation between the anode and cathode regions on each conductive layer region, and that align with the etched regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TRILUMINA CORP.
    Inventors: Richard F. Carson, Nein-Yi Li, Mial E. Warren
  • Publication number: 20200169065
    Abstract: A VCSELNECSEL array design is disclosed that results in arrays that can be directly soldered to a PCB using conventional surface-mount assembly and soldering techniques for mass production. The completed VCSEL array does not need a separate package and no precision sub-mount and flip-chip bonding processes are required. The design allows for on-wafer probing of the completed arrays prior to singulation of the die from the wafer. Embodiments relate to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to multibeam arrays of semiconductor lasers for high power and high frequency applications and methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Richard F. CARSON, Nein-Yi LI, Mial E. WARREN
  • Publication number: 20200144791
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for enabling a series-connected, single chip vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. In one aspect, the single chip includes one or more non-conductive regions one the conductive layer to produce a plurality of electrically separate conductive regions. Each electrically separate region may have a plurality of VCSEL elements, including an anode region and a cathode region connected in series. The chip is connected to a sub-mount with a metallization pattern, which connects each electrically separate region on the conductive layer in series. In one aspect, the metallization pattern connects the anode region of a first electrically separate region to the cathode region of a second electrically separate region. The metallization pattern may also comprise cuts that maintain electrical separation between the anode and cathode regions on each conductive layer region, and that align with the etched regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Richard F. CARSON, Nein-Yi LI, Mial E. WARREN
  • Patent number: 10530128
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for enabling a series-connected, single chip vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. In one aspect, the single chip includes one or more non-conductive regions one the conductive layer to produce a plurality of electrically separate conductive regions. Each electrically separate region may have a plurality of VCSEL elements, including an anode region and a cathode region connected in series. The chip is connected to a sub-mount with a metallization pattern, which connects each electrically separate region on the conductive layer in series. In one aspect, the metallization pattern connects the anode region of a first electrically separate region to the cathode region of a second electrically separate region. The metallization pattern may also comprise cuts that maintain electrical separation between the anode and cathode regions on each conductive layer region, and that align with the etched regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TRILUMINA CORP.
    Inventors: Richard F. Carson, Nein-Yi Li, Mial E. Warren
  • Publication number: 20190268068
    Abstract: A wide-angle illuminator module including a rigid support structure having a plurality of angled faces, a flexible circuit including one or more VCSEL arrays, each VCSEL array positioned over a face among the plurality of angled faces, each VCSEL array including a plurality of integrated microlenses with one microlens positioned over each VCSEL in the VCSEL array, and a driver circuit for providing electrical pulses to each VCSEL array, wherein the plurality of VCSEL arrays address illumination zones in a combined field of illumination. The support structure may also be a heatsink. The flexible circuit may be a single flexible circuit configured to be placed over the support structure or a plurality of flexible circuits, each including one VCSEL array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Preethi Dacha, David Podva, Mial E. Warren
  • Patent number: 10244181
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for selectively illuminating different zones of a field of view by a multi-zone illumination device. In one aspect, a multi-zone illuminator may include a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), and a plurality of micro-optical devices aligned with apertures of individual or groups of VCSELs, which are configured to be individually activated to provide adjustable illumination to different zones of a field of view of an image sensor. In another aspect, a method of selective illumination may include receiving information specifying a field of view of a camera, and controlling at least two sub arrays or individual illuminators of an illuminating array to output light at independently adjustable illumination powers, wherein each of the at least two sub arrays are independently configurable to illuminate at least one of a plurality of separate zones corresponding to the field of view of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TRILUMINA CORP.
    Inventor: Mial E. Warren
  • Publication number: 20190036308
    Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described for enabling a series-connected, single chip vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. In one aspect, the single chip includes one or more non-conductive regions one the conductive layer to produce a plurality of electrically separate conductive regions. Each electrically separate region may have a plurality of VCSEL elements, including an anode region and a cathode region connected in series. The chip is connected to a sub-mount with a metallization pattern, which connects each electrically separate region on the conductive layer in series. In one aspect, the metallization pattern connects the anode region of a first electrically separate region to the cathode region of a second electrically separate region. The metallization pattern may also comprise cuts that maintain electrical separation between the anode and cathode regions on each conductive layer region, and that align with the etched regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Richard F. CARSON, Nein-Yi LI, Mial E. WARREN
  • Publication number: 20180172885
    Abstract: Embodiments comprise a system created through fabricating a lens array through which lasers are emitted. The lens array may be fabricated in the semiconductor substrate used for fabricating the lasers or may be a separate substrate of other transparent material that would be aligned to the lasers. In some embodiments, more lenses may be produced than will eventually be used by the lasers. The inner portion of the substrate may be formed with the lenses that will be used for emitting lasers, and the outer portion of the substrate may be formed with lenses that will not be used for emitting lasers—rather, through etching these additional lenses, the inner lenses may be created with a higher quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Richard F. CARSON, John R. JOSEPH, Mial E. WARREN, Thomas A. WILCOX