Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to imaging LiDARs monolithic integration of focal plane switch array LiDARS with CMOS electronics. The CMOS wafer contains electronic circuits needed to control the focal plane array, e.g., digital addressing circuits and MEMS drivers, as well as circuits to amplify and process the detected signals, e.g., trans-impedance amplifiers (TIA), multi-stage amplifiers, analog-to-digital converters (ADC), digital signal processing (DSP), and circuits to communicate with external systems. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: A large-scale single-photonics-based optical switching system that occupies an area larger than the maximum area of a standard step-and-repeat lithography reticle is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of identical switch blocks, each of is formed in a different reticle field that no larger than the maximum reticle size. Bus waveguides of laterally adjacent switch blocks are stitched together at lateral interfaces that include a second arrangement of waveguide ports that is common to all lateral interfaces. Bus waveguides of vertically adjacent switch blocks are stitched together at vertical interfaces that include a first arrangement of waveguide ports that is common to all vertical interfaces. In some embodiments, the lateral and vertical interfaces include waveguide ports having waveguide coupling regions that are configured to mitigate optical loss due to stitching error.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to imaging LiDARs with separate transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) optical antennas fed by different optical waveguides. This pair of optical antennas can be activated at the same time through a dual-channel optical switch network, with the Tx antenna connected to a laser source and the Rx antenna connected to a receiver. The Tx and Rx antennas can be positioned adjacent to each other, so they point to approximately the same far-field angle. No optical alignment between the Tx and Rx is necessary. This LiDAR configuration, referred to herein as pseudo-monostatic LiDAR, eliminates spurious reflections and increases the dynamic range of the LiDAR.

Abstract: A large-scale single-photonics-based optical switching system that occupies an area larger than the maximum area of a standard step-and-repeat lithography reticle is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of identical switch blocks, each of is formed in a different reticle field that no larger than the maximum reticle size. Bus waveguides of laterally adjacent switch blocks are stitched together at lateral interfaces that include a second arrangement of waveguide ports that is common to all lateral interfaces. Bus waveguides of vertically adjacent switch blocks are stitched together at vertical interfaces that include a first arrangement of waveguide ports that is common to all vertical interfaces. In some embodiments, the lateral and vertical interfaces include waveguide ports having waveguide coupling regions that are configured to mitigate optical loss due to stitching error.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical phased array chip and a method of manufacturing the same. The optical phased array chip includes a plurality of optical switches and a plurality of optical phased arrays implemented on a single integrated circuit, wherein the single integrated circuit includes a silicon substrate, a lower layer formed on an upper portion of the silicon substrate, a silicon layer formed on an upper portion of the lower layer, a first upper layer, a second upper layer and a third upper layer sequentially arranged on the silicon layer, and an electrode that penetrates through the first upper layer while being grounded to the silicon layer and is formed on an upper portion of the first upper layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to imaging LiDARs with optical antennas fed by optical waveguides. The optical antennas can be activated through an optical switch network that connects the optical antennas to a laser source to a receiver. A microlens array is positioned between a lens of the LiDAR system and the optical antennas, the microlens array being positioned so as to transform an emission angle from a corresponding optical antenna to match a chief ray angle of the lens. Methods of use and fabrication are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to imaging LiDARs with separate transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) optical antennas fed by different optical waveguides. This pair of optical antennas can be activated at the same time through a dual-channel optical switch network, with the Tx antenna connected to a laser source and the Rx antenna connected to a receiver. The Tx and Rx antennas can be positioned adjacent to each other, so they point to approximately the same far-field angle. No optical alignment between the Tx and Rx is necessary. This LiDAR configuration, referred to herein as pseudo-monostatic LiDAR, eliminates spurious reflections and increases the dynamic range of the LiDAR.

Abstract: A large-scale single-photonics-based optical switching system that occupies an area larger than the maximum area of a standard step-and-repeat lithography reticle is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of identical switch blocks, each of is formed in a different reticle field that no larger than the maximum reticle size. Bus waveguides of laterally adjacent switch blocks are stitched together at lateral interfaces that include a second arrangement of waveguide ports that is common to all lateral interfaces. Bus waveguides of vertically adjacent switch blocks are stitched together at vertical interfaces that include a first arrangement of waveguide ports that is common to all vertical interfaces. In some embodiments, the lateral and vertical interfaces include waveguide ports having waveguide coupling regions that are configured to mitigate optical loss due to stitching error.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical phased array chip and a method of manufacturing the same. The optical phased array chip includes a plurality of optical switches and a plurality of optical phased arrays implemented on a single integrated circuit, wherein the single integrated circuit includes a silicon substrate, a lower layer formed on an upper portion of the silicon substrate, a silicon layer formed on an upper portion of the lower layer, a first upper layer, a second upper layer and a third upper layer sequentially arranged on the silicon layer, and an electrode that penetrates through the first upper layer while being grounded to the silicon layer and is formed on an upper portion of the first upper layer.

Abstract: A large-scale single-photonics-based optical switching system that occupies an area larger than the maximum area of a standard step-and-repeat lithography reticle is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of identical switch blocks, each of is formed in a different reticle field that no larger than the maximum reticle size. Bus waveguides of laterally adjacent switch blocks are stitched together at lateral interfaces that include a second arrangement of waveguide ports that is common to all lateral interfaces. Bus waveguides of vertically adjacent switch blocks are stitched together at vertical interfaces that include a first arrangement of waveguide ports that is common to all vertical interfaces. In some embodiments, the lateral and vertical interfaces include waveguide ports having waveguide coupling regions that are configured to mitigate optical loss due to stitching error.

Abstract: A large-scale single-photonics-based optical switching system that occupies an area larger than the maximum area of a standard step-and-repeat lithography reticle is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of identical switch blocks, each of is formed in a different reticle field that no larger than the maximum reticle size. Bus waveguides of laterally adjacent switch blocks are stitched together at lateral interfaces that include a second arrangement of waveguide ports that is common to all lateral interfaces. Bus waveguides of vertically adjacent switch blocks are stitched together at vertical interfaces that include a first arrangement of waveguide ports that is common to all vertical interfaces. In some embodiments, the lateral and vertical interfaces include waveguide ports having waveguide coupling regions that are configured to mitigate optical loss due to stitching error.

Abstract: A polarization-independent optical switching system capable of rerouting light signals is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of switching cells, each including a pair of bus waveguides that are formed in different planes above a substrate. Each bus waveguide supports low-loss propagation of both the TE- and TM-polarization modes and are optically decoupled when the switch is in an unswitched state. In its switched state, a shunt waveguide that also supports low-loss propagation of both polarization modes is moved into proximity with both bus waveguides to form a pair of adiabatic directional couplers that enable the light signal to evanescently couple between each bus waveguide and the shunt waveguide. As a result, the path of a light signal through the switching cell is reconfigured.

Abstract: A polarization-independent optical switching system capable of rerouting light signals is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of switching cells, each including a pair of bus waveguides that are formed in different planes above a substrate. Each bus waveguide supports low-loss propagation of both the TE- and TM-polarization modes and are optically decoupled when the switch is in an unswitched state. In its switched state, a shunt waveguide that also supports low-loss propagation of both polarization modes is moved into proximity with both bus waveguides to form a pair of adiabatic directional couplers that enable the light signal to evanescently couple between each bus waveguide and the shunt waveguide. As a result, the path of a light signal through the switching cell is reconfigured.

Abstract: An optical switching system comprising a switching cell having first and second fixed-position bus waveguides and a moveable shunt waveguide is disclosed. The first bus waveguide includes an input and a first output. The second bus waveguide includes a second output. When the switching cell is in its unswitched state, the shunt waveguide is not optically coupled with either bus waveguide and a light signal can pass from the input to the first output while remaining in the first bus waveguide. When the switching cell is in its switched state, the shunt waveguide is optically coupled with both bus waveguides such that the light signal is coupled out of the first bus waveguide and into the second bus waveguide via the shunt waveguide. As a result, the light signal can pass from the input to the second output while bypassing the first input.

Abstract: An optical switching system comprising a switching cell having first and second fixed-position bus waveguides and a moveable shunt waveguide is disclosed. The first bus waveguide includes an input and a first output. The second bus waveguide includes a second output. When the switching cell is in its unswitched state, the shunt waveguide is not optically coupled with either bus waveguide and a light signal can pass from the input to the first output while remaining in the first bus waveguide. When the switching cell is in its switched state, the shunt waveguide is optically coupled with both bus waveguides such that the light signal is coupled out of the first bus waveguide and into the second bus waveguide via the shunt waveguide. As a result, the light signal can pass from the input to the second output while bypassing the first input.