Micromechanical and related lidar apparatus and method, and fast light-routing components
US7440084B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/3584
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Several systems and a method are taught for rapid modulation of a light beam in lidar and other imaging. Most of these involve micromechanical and other very small control components. One such unit is a light-switching fabric, based on displacement of liquid in a tube that crosses a junction of two optical waveguides. In some forms, the fabric is preferably flexible to enable folding or coiling to form a two-dimensional face that interacts with optical-fiber ends an opposed fiber bundle. The rapid operation of the switch fabric enables it to be used as a beam-splitter, separating incoming and return beams; and also to form pulses from supplied CW light. Other control components include micromechanical mirrors (e. g. MEMS mirrors) operated in arrays or singly, liquid-crystal devices, and other controlled-birefringence cells. Some of these devices are placed within an optical system for directional light-beam steering.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.