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 light source configured to output light. A portion of the light is included in a LIDAR signal that travels a LIDAR path from the light source to an object located outside of the LIDAR system and from the object to a filter and from the filter to a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to convert optical signals that include the LIDAR signal to electrical signals. A portion of the light is also included in one or more misdirected signals. Each of the misdirected signals travels a different misdirected path from the light source to the filter. Each of the misdirected paths is a different path from the LIDAR path. The system also includes a filter being configured to filter out the LIDAR signal from the misdirected signals. The system also includes electronics that generate LIDAR data from the electrical signals.

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.

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: 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: An imaging system generates a point cloud such that each point in the point cloud is associated with coordinates, a velocity, and a distance of the point from the imaging system. The system applies one or more velocity criteria to the velocities associated with at least a portion of the points. Additionally, the system flags a portion of a points as valid. The system also flags a second portion of the points as invalid in response to the results of applying the one or more velocity criteria to the velocities. The system performs calculations on the points in the point cloud such that data associated with the points flagged as invalid are excluded from the calculations but the data associated with the points flagged as valid are included in the calculations.

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.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a LIDAR chip with a utility waveguide configured to guide an outgoing LIDAR signal and an incoming LIDAR signal. The incoming LIDAR signal includes light from the LIDAR output signal after an object located outside of the LIDAR system reflects the light from the LIDAR output signal. The LIDAR chip also includes a polarizing-beam splitter configured to receive the outgoing LIDAR signal and the incoming LIDAR signal and to separate the incoming LIDAR signal from the outgoing LIDAR signal.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has a beam steering mechanism and a signal steering mechanism that are each configured to steer within a field of view a system output signal that is output from the LIDAR system. A path of system output signal in the field of view has a contribution from the beam steering mechanism and the second mechanism. The contribution of the beam steering mechanism to the path is movement of the system output signal on a two-dimensional path back and forth across the field of view. The contribution of the signal steering mechanism to the path is movement of the system output signal transverse to the two-dimensional path contribution of the provided by the beam steering mechanism.

Abstract: A LIDAR system has a circulator outputs multiple different outgoing circulator signals. The circulator receives multiple different circulator return signals. Each of the circulator return signals includes light that was included in one of the outgoing circulator signals and was reflected by one or more objects located outside of the LIDAR system. The circulator is configured to output multiple circulator output signals that each includes light from one of the circulator return signals. The LIDAR system also includes electronics that use the circulator output signals to generate one or more LIDAR data results. The LIDAR data results are selected from a group consisting of a distance and a radial velocity between the LIDAR system and the one or more objects.

Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a light source configured to output light. A portion of the light is included in a LIDAR signal that travels a LIDAR path from the light source to an object located outside of the LIDAR system and from the object to a filter and from the filter to a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to convert optical signals that include the LIDAR signal to electrical signals. A portion of the light is also included in one or more misdirected signals. Each of the misdirected signals travels a different misdirected path from the light source to the filter. Each of the misdirected paths is a different path from the LIDAR path. The system also includes a filter being configured to filter out the LIDAR signal from the misdirected signals. The system also includes electronics that generate LIDAR data from the electrical signals.

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: Photonic devices and techniques based on tunable single sideband (SSB) modulation in whispering gallery mode resonators formed of electro-optic materials to construct RF or microwave receivers.

Abstract: Photonic devices and techniques based on tunable single sideband (SSB) modulation in whispering gallery mode resonators formed of electro-optic materials to construct RF or microwave receivers.

Abstract: Techniques and devices for tuning a phase shift of an RF or microwave signal by using an optical tuning mechanism based on photonic elements.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate (100) is acquired by forming a mask with a target thickness on a major surface of a single-crystal silicon substrate, implanting oxygen ions to the major surface at a high temperature, forming a surface protection layer for blocking oxygen on the major surface, performing annealing, and then stripping off the mask and the surface protection layer. A silicon dioxide layer (102) has a first tip surface (102a) corresponding to an area where the mask has not existed and having a relatively long distance from the major surface (100a), and a second top surface (102b) corresponding to an area where the mask has existed and having a relatively short distance from the major surface (100a). As this major surface (100a) is polished by a predetermined quantity, a semiconductor substrate is provided in which only a part of a single-crystal silicon substrate is a SOI substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate (100) is acquired by forming a mask with a target thickness on a major surface of a single-crystal silicon substrate, implanting oxygen ions to the major surface at a high temperature, forming a surface protection layer for blocking oxygen on the major surface, performing annealing, and then stripping off the mask and the surface protection layer. A silicon dioxide layer (102) has a first tip surface (102a) corresponding to an area where the mask has not existed and having a relatively long distance from the major surface (100a), and a second top surface (102b) corresponding to an area where the mask has existed and having a relatively short distance from the major surface (100a). As this major surface (100a) is polished by a predetermined quantity, a semiconductor substrate is provided in which only a part of a single-crystal silicon substrate is a SOI substrate.