Polarization encoded beam delivery and collection
US11733361B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 6, 2018 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 24, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/272
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) apparatus includes optical source configured to emit a laser beam in a first direction, a polarization wave plate configured to transform polarization state of the laser beam headed in the first direction toward a target environment, and a reflective optical component to return a portion of the laser beam toward the optical source along a return path and through the polarization wave plate as a local oscillator signal. A polarization selective component to separate light in the return path based on the optical polarization, wherein the polarization selective component refracts orthogonally polarized light along the return path to a divergent path, wherein the polarization selective component is further configured to enable interference between the local oscillator signal and the target signal to generate a combined signal. An optical detector configured to receive the combined signal from the second direction and lensing optics configured to collimate the refracted light along a focal plane of the optical detector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.