Abstract: A lidar system and method includes a photodiode array, a wafer, and a plurality of structures integrated on the wafer to form a metasurface lens. The metasurface lens is configured to focus the light pulses to the photodiode array and each of the plurality of structures includes at least one dimension that is less than a wavelength of the light pulses.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) yaw gyroscopes having out-of-plane quadrature trim electrodes are described. The gyroscope includes a proof mass configured to be driven in-plane. The proof mass includes an opening, or a plurality of openings. The out-of-plane quadrature trim electrodes are positioned to laterally overlap edges of the opening in a projection plane. The out-of-plane quadrature trim electrodes trim in-plane motion of the proof mass in one or two directions to limit quadrature motion. The out-of-plane quadrature trim electrodes may be arranged in a symmetric pattern to enable mode switching.

Abstract: Columnar multi-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices (such as gyroscopes) balanced against undesired linear and angular vibration are described herein. In some embodiments, the columnar MEMS device may comprise at least two multiple-mass columns, each having at least three proof masses and being configured to sense rotation about a respective axis. The motion and mass of the proof masses may be controlled to achieve linear and rotational balancing of the MEMS device. The columnar MEMS device may further comprise one or more modular drive structures disposed alongside each multiple-mass column to facilitate displacement of the proof masses of a respective column. The MEMS devices described herein may be used to sense roll, yaw, and pitch angular rates.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides numerous applications for the use of liquid crystal polarization gratings (LCPGs) to controllably steer light. When combined with an image sensor, light generated or reflected from different fields of view (FOV) can be steered, allowing an increase in the FOV or the resolution of the image. Further, the LCPG can stabilize the resulting image, counteracting any movement of the image sensor. The combination of LCPGs and liquid crystal waveguides (LCWGs) allows fine deflection control of light (from the LCWG) over a wild field of view (from the LCPG). Further applications of LCPGs include object tracking and the production of depth images using multiple imaging units and independently steered LCPGs. The LCPG may be used in controlling both the projection and reception of light.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system comprises a laser diode; a laser diode driver circuit configured generate a laser beam using the laser diode and to frequency chirp the generated laser beam according to a frequency chirp period; a laser splitter to split the generated laser beam into N transmit laser beams pointed at different angles, wherein N is an integer greater than one, and a frequency chirp period of each of the N transmit laser beams is the frequency chirp period of the generated laser beam; and multiple return beam paths to receive N return beams and determine time of flight values for the N return beams in parallel.

Abstract: Columnar multi-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices (such as gyroscopes) balanced against undesired linear and angular vibration are described herein. In some embodiments, the columnar MEMS device may comprise at least two multiple-mass columns, each having at least three proof masses and being configured to sense rotation about a respective axis. The motion and mass of the proof masses may be controlled to achieve linear and rotational balancing of the MEMS device. The columnar MEMS device may further comprise one or more modular drive structures disposed alongside each multiple-mass column to facilitate displacement of the proof masses of a respective column. The MEMS devices described herein may be used to sense roll, yaw, and pitch angular rates.

Abstract: Columnar multi-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices (such as gyroscopes) balanced against undesired linear and angular vibration are described herein. In some embodiments, the columnar MEMS device may comprise at least two multiple-mass columns, each having at least three proof masses and being configured to sense rotation about a respective axis. The motion and mass of the proof masses may be controlled to achieve linear and rotational balancing of the MEMS device. The columnar MEMS device may further comprise one or more modular drive structures disposed alongside each multiple-mass column to facilitate displacement of the proof masses of a respective column. The MEMS devices described herein may be used to sense roll, yaw, and pitch angular rates.

Abstract: Columnar multi-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices (such as gyroscopes) balanced against undesired linear and angular vibration are described herein. In some embodiments, the columnar MEMS device may comprise at least two multiple-mass columns, each having at least three proof masses and being configured to sense rotation about a respective axis. The motion and mass of the proof masses may be controlled to achieve linear and rotational balancing of the MEMS device. The columnar MEMS device may further comprise one or more modular drive structures disposed alongside each multiple-mass column to facilitate displacement of the proof masses of a respective column. The MEMS devices described herein may be used to sense roll, yaw, and pitch angular rates.

Abstract: A Liquid Crystal Waveguide (LCW) system can provide sub-aperture incoupling or outcoupling of light having an input wavelength and input beamsize defining an aperture characteristic of the system. A Liquid Crystal Waveguide (LCW) can include a generally planar LCW core to receive light via a light input zone for communication toward a light output zone. Sub-aperture interfacial light couplers can be planarly arranged in or parallel to the planar LCW core in the light input zone or the light output zone. Sub-aperture interfacial light couplers can include teeth, prisms, or facets, a photonic crystal metasurface, or a geometric-phased holograph (GPH)). Overall LCW thickness can be reduced, which can be helpful in space-limited applications or for reducing material costs.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system comprises a laser diode; a laser diode driver circuit configured generate a laser beam using the laser diode and to frequency chirp the generated laser beam according to a frequency chirp period; a laser splitter to split the generated laser beam into N transmit laser beams pointed at different angles, wherein N is an integer greater than one, and a frequency chirp period of each of the N transmit laser beams is the frequency chirp period of the generated laser beam; and multiple return beam paths to receive N return beams and determine time of flight values for the N return beams in parallel.

Abstract: A Liquid Crystal Waveguide (LCW) system can provide sub-aperture incoupling or outcoupling of light having an input wavelength and input beamsize defining an aperture characteristic of the system. A Liquid Crystal Waveguide (LCW) can include a generally planar LCW core to receive light via a light input zone for communication toward a light output zone. Sub-aperture interfacial light couplers can be planarly arranged in or parallel to the planar LCW core in the light input zone or the light output zone. Sub-aperture interfacial light couplers can include teeth, prisms, or facets, a photonic crystal metasurface, or a geometric-phased holograph (GPH)). Overall LCW thickness can be reduced, which can be helpful in space-limited applications or for reducing material costs.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides numerous applications for the use of liquid crystal polarization gratings (LCPGs) to controllably steer light. When combined with an image sensor, light generated or reflected from different fields of view (FOV) can be steered, allowing an increase in the FOV or the resolution of the image. Further, the LCPG can stabilize the resulting image, counteracting any movement of the image sensor. The combination of LCPGs and liquid crystal waveguides (LCWGs) allows fine deflection control of light (from the LCWG) over a wild field of view (from the LCPG). Further applications of LCPGs include object tracking and the production of depth images using multiple imaging units and independently steered LCPGs. The LCPG may be used in controlling both the projection and reception of light.

Abstract: A light beam can be steered using a non-mechanical beam steerer structure. For example, a combination of sub-aperture and full-aperture beam steering structures can be used (e.g., corresponding to regions of controlled variation in an index of refraction). The sub-aperture elements can include tapered structures defining a saw-tooth or triangular footprint in the plane in which the in-plane steering is performed. Respective rows of sub-aperture tapered structures can be configured to controllably steer the light beam in the first in-plane direction, wherein at least one row of sub-aperture tapered structures defines a first base region edge that is tipped at a first specified in-plane angle relative to a second base region edge defined by another row. Use of the tipped configuration can simplify a configuration of the beam steerer structure, such as allowing a configuration lacking a compensation plate at the input.

Abstract: A lidar system and method includes a photodiode array, a wafer, and a plurality of structures integrated on the wafer to form a metasurface lens. The metasurface lens is configured to focus the light pulses to the photodiode array and each of the plurality of structures includes at least one dimension that is less than a wavelength of the light pulses.

Abstract: A detector for use in detecting reflected or scattered light pulses for a lidar system includes a primary lens, a secondary lens, and a photodiode array. The primary lens is configured to collect and focus the light pulses, the secondary lens is configured to receive and further focus the light pulses from the primary lens, and the photodiode array is configured to receive and sense the light pulses from the secondary lens.

Abstract: A non-mechanical beamsteerer can be provided to adjust an angle of a light beam, such as to scan the light beam over a field of regard. The non-mechanical beamsteerer can include a first collection of steering elements that are smaller than a size of a light beam. The first collection of steering elements can adjust the angle of the light beam by diffracting the light beam. The non-mechanical beamsteerer can also include a second collection of steering elements that are larger than a size of the light beam. The second collection of steering elements can adjust an angle of the light beam by refracting the light beam. The non-mechanical beamsteerer can operate without a compensation plate, such as to provide a reduced size of the beamsteerer and an increased acceptance angle of the beamsteerer.

Abstract: The present subject matter includes apparatus and techniques that can be used to reduce losses in systems that perform steering of a light beam. Such steering can be performed in a non-mechanical manner, such as using an electrically-controlled optical structure (e.g., an electro-optical structure). For example, a waveguide can be used to adjust an angle of a light beam (e.g., steer the light beam). The waveguide can include a core, a cladding including an electro-optic material, and electrodes defining an arrangement that, when selectively energized, adjusts an index of refraction of the electro-optic material. In particular, electrode arrangements as described herein can be used to reduce losses, such as losses that would occur due to diffraction.

Abstract: The present subject matter includes apparatus and techniques that can be used to reduce losses in systems that perform steering of a light beam. Such steering can be performed in a non-mechanical manner, such as using an electrically-controlled optical structure (e.g., an electro-optical structure). For example, a waveguide can be used to adjust an angle of a light beam (e.g., steer the light beam). The waveguide can include a core, a cladding including an electro-optic material, and electrodes defining an arrangement that, when selectively energized, adjusts an index of refraction of the electro-optic material. In particular, electrode arrangements as described herein can be used to reduce losses, such as losses that would occur due to diffraction.