System and method for coherent LIDAR with high collection efficiency

US11156715B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Aeva, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Oguzhan Avci · Cupertino, US
• Omer P. Kocaoglu · Fremont, US
• Neal N. Oza · Palo Alto, US
• Keith Gagne · Santa Clara, US
• Behsan Behzadi · Menlo Park, US
• Mina Rezk · Haymarket, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 17, 2019
• Grant date: Oct 26, 2021
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/931
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) apparatus includes an optical source to emit an optical beam, and free-space optics coupled with the optical source. The free space optics include a photodetector and other optical components to direct a leaked portion of the optical beam or a reflected portion of the optical beam toward the photodetector as a local oscillator signal, and to transmit the optical beam toward a target environment. The local oscillator signal co-propagates with a like-polarized target return signal and mixes with the target return signal to generate target information.