Optical emission module, emission device, detection device and terminal

Abstract

An optical emission module, an emission device, a detection device and a terminal are applied to the technical field of detection. The optical emission module comprises M light sources and a super lens, wherein M is an integer greater than 1. The super lens is used for processing the first light beams from the M light sources to obtain second light beams. On one hand, the light-emitting area formed by the multiple light sources can improve the energy density of the second light beam, and meanwhile, the energy distribution of the second light beam is more uniform. On the other hand, the super lens is used for processing the light beam emitted by the light source, the overall size of the emitting device can be remarkably reduced while light field regulation and control are achieved, and the device integration degree is improved. When the optical emission module is applied to the detection device, miniaturization of the detection device is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to detection technology, which is applied to the fields of intelligent driving, intelligent transportation, surveying and mapping, intelligent manufacturing, etc., and in particular to an optical emission module, a transmitting device, a detection device and a terminal. Background Art

[0002] With the development of information technology and computer vision, detection technology has made rapid progress. Various detection devices have brought great convenience to people's lives and travel. For example, the advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) plays a very important role in smart cars. It can use the detection device installed on the car to detect the surrounding environment during the driving process of the vehicle, collect data, identify static and moving objects, etc., and combine the navigation map data to perform systematic calculations and analysis, so as to make the driver aware of possible dangers in advance, effectively increasing the comfort and safety of car driving. The detection device can be regarded as the "eyes" of the device to perceive the environment. The detection device includes visual sensors such as cameras and radar sensors such as millimeter wave radars, laser radars and ultrasonic radars.

[0003] Among them, Lidar (light detection and ranging) has the advantages of high resolution, good detection performance and strong concealment, and is one of the important detection devices in the field of perception. The transmitter of Lidar is one of the core components of Lidar, which is used to propagate the light beam emitted by the light source to the object space to be detected in order to detect the target.

[0004] The transmitting device needs a light source to generate a light beam. Since the energy of the light beam directly emitted by the light source is relatively dispersed, the energy density of the light spot formed during detection is relatively low, which affects the detection performance of the LiDAR, especially the distance measurement capability of the LiDAR. In some solutions, the energy density of the light spot can be increased by shaping the light beam generated by the light source through a lens. However, the use of optical lenses will significantly increase the size of the transmitting device, hindering the miniaturization of the LiDAR. Moreover, even after shaping, the energy of the light spot generated by the transmitting device is still unevenly distributed, affecting the detection effect.

[0005] How to increase the energy density of the light spot while reducing the volume of the emitting device is a hot issue currently being studied by technicians in this field. Summary of the invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide an optical emission module, an emission device, a detection device and a terminal, which can improve the energy density of a light spot formed by an emission light beam and improve the integration of the device.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical emission module, which includes M light sources and a first super lens, where M is an integer greater than 1. The first super lens includes a super lens, which is used to process a first light beam from the M light sources to obtain a second light beam.

[0008] In the above aspects, the processing of the light beam by the first metalens includes light field control of the first light beam. The light field is a collection of light rays in space, including the position and angle of the light rays in space. Light field control refers to the control of the light field of the light beam, and light field control may include one or more of the following processing: convergence, collimation, divergence, splitting, reflection, refraction, homogenization, or filtering, or may also include adjustment of one or more properties of the light beam, such as the pointing angle, divergence angle, phase, resonance, polarization, or dispersion.

[0009] The optical emission module of the embodiment of the present application includes multiple light sources. The first light beam formed by the light emitted by the multiple light sources is processed by the first super lens to form a second light beam. The second light beam can be used for various functions, such as ranging, mapping, etc.

[0010] On the one hand, the power of the light beam emitted by multiple light sources is the superposition of the power of each light source in the multiple light sources, the energy density of the emitted light beam is relatively high, and the multiple light sources are arranged to form a light-emitting area so that the energy distribution of the emitted light beam is also more uniform. Moreover, the design of multiple light sources can also reduce the difficulty of light field control of the light beam. In particular, when the light beam is collimated, homogenized, and directed Angle Control is performed, the light beam formed by multiple light sources can achieve a better light field control effect. Exemplarily, the first light beam emitted by multiple light sources can be collimated by the first superlens, thereby forming a second light beam with a more concentrated power density and a more uniform energy distribution in the light spot of the second light beam. In the far-field detection scene (for example, >100 meters), the second light beam can still maintain a larger power and a more uniform light spot at a long distance, which can significantly indicate the detection effect.

[0011] On the other hand, a superlens is an optical element with a thickness of nanometers and micrometers, which can realize a variety of light beam processing, such as collimation, homogenization, or pointing angle control. The thickness of a traditional geometric lens is usually in the millimeter level. Therefore, the use of a superlens to process light beams emitted by multiple light sources can significantly reduce the overall volume of the transmitting device and improve the device integration while realizing light field control. When the optical emission module is applied to a detection device, it is conducive to the miniaturization of the detection device.

[0012] Optionally, the light source may be a laser. Further, the laser may be, for example, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser or an edge emitting laser (EEL).

[0013] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first superlens includes a substrate and a first micro-nanostructure layer supported on the substrate, and the first micro-nanostructure layer includes a plurality of first nanostructure units.

[0014] Among them, the substrate is used to carry the micro-nano structure layer, and is usually made of a light-transmitting material, such as glass or crystal. In some scenarios, the substrate is a highly light-transmitting material, which can reduce the energy loss of the light beam and increase the energy density of the light beam propagating to the object space. Exemplarily, the transmittance of the highly light-transmitting material is higher than a first threshold value, and the first threshold value can be predefined (such as industry regulations) or pre-set. For example, the highly light-transmitting material can be a material with a transmittance higher than 99%, or the highly light-transmitting material can be a material with a transmittance higher than 90%.

[0015] The nanostructure units may be structures such as nanoprisms, nanocolumns, etc. Further, the nanostructure units may be arranged on the substrate according to a preset first phase.

[0016] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first metalens further comprises a second micro-nanostructure layer carried on a substrate, wherein the second micro-nanostructure layer comprises a plurality of second nanostructure units. The first micro-nanostructure layer and the second micro-nanostructure layer may have the same light field regulation function or different light field regulation functions. For example, the first micro-nanostructure layer and the second micro-nanostructure layer may be used together for light beam collimation.

[0017] In the above embodiment, the first superlens may include multiple layers of micro-nano structure layers, and the multiple layers of micro-nano structure layers are used to jointly process the light beam, so as to achieve a more complex and precise light field control effect.

[0018] Optionally, the second micro-nano structure layer and the first micro-nano structure layer may be located on the same substrate. For example, the first micro-nano structure layer and the second micro-nano structure layer are located on two opposite surfaces of the substrate. In this way, the size of the optical emission module can be further reduced.

[0019] Alternatively, the second micro-nano structure layer and the first micro-nano structure layer can be located on different substrates. Such a design can reduce the difficulty of production and reduce costs. It should be understood that even if the first micro-nano structure layer and the second micro-nano structure layer are located on different substrates, the common thickness of the multi-layer micro-nano structure and the multi-layer substrate is still much smaller than the thickness of an ordinary optical lens, and the overall volume of the optical emission module is still small.

[0020] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the cross-sectional area of ​​the light-transmitting surface of the first metalens is larger than the area of ​​the light-emitting region, and the light-emitting region is a region formed by the light-emitting surfaces surrounding the M light sources. Exemplarily, the light-emitting region includes the light-emitting surfaces of the M light sources and further includes a gap between two adjacent light sources.

[0021] In some scenarios, due to the small gap between the light sources, if the light beam of each light source is processed separately through a metalens, the size of the metalens is limited by the size of the light source, and the operable space for light field regulation is limited. Moreover, the energy distribution of the light spot of a light source is relatively simple, which further limits the effect of light field regulation. The above-mentioned embodiment provides a design of the size of a metalens and the size of multiple light sources. The size of the light-transmitting surface of the metalens is larger than the size of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting area, so that a metalens (including one or more layers of micro-nano structures) can process light beams from multiple light sources, which not only reduces the difficulty of designing the optical emission module, but also can flexibly design the light spot energy distribution based on the light beams of multiple light sources, which is conducive to meeting the user's needs for complex light field regulation effects and improving the quality of the light beam generated by the optical emission module.

[0022] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the area of ​​the beam cross section of the first light beam emitted by the M light sources on the metalens is smaller than the area of ​​the light-transmitting surface of the metalens close to the first light beam. In other words, the light beams emitted by the M light sources are all included in the metalens. Optionally, the first light beam may be subjected to a convergence process before passing through the metalens.

[0023] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first light beam may be incident on the central portion of the metalens and avoid approaching the edge portion of the first metalens. In this way, the light beam is prevented from being distorted at the edge portion, the shaping quality of the light beam is ensured, and the usability of the light beam generated by the optical emission module is improved.

[0024] Exemplarily, the first light beams emitted by the M light sources are incident on the light-transmitting surface of the metalens, and the minimum distance between the first light beam passing through the metalens and the edge of the light-transmitting surface of the first metalens is greater than a first threshold, and the value of the first threshold is greater than 0. In other words, the first light beam may not be close to the edge of the metalens, so that the light beam can be prevented from being distorted.

[0025] Optionally, the above embodiment is applied when the emitted light beam has a large field angle.

[0026] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first superlens is used to collimate the first light beam. Further, the second light beam forms M light spots in the angular space, and the arrangement of the M light spots is symmetrical to the arrangement center of the M light sources in the optical emission unit.

[0027] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the pointing angle of the second light beam is different from the pointing angle of the first light beam. In this case, the first metalens can be used to adjust the pointing angle of the light beam of the light source, thereby realizing a variety of pointing angle designs and improving the availability of the light beam. Furthermore, the first metalens is used to collimate and adjust the pointing angle of the first light beam to obtain the second light beam, thereby increasing the energy density of the light beam while propagating the second light beam to a specified pointing angle, so that the second light beam can accurately detect a certain area and has a good distance measurement effect.

[0028] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, there is an offset between the geometric center of the M light sources and the geometric center of the first metalens. Further, the offset refers to an offset in the viewing angle along the main optical axis of the light beam.

[0029] In some schemes, the geometric center of the light source is misaligned with the geometric center of the light beam unit, so that the main optical axis of the light beam emitted by the light source is offset from the main optical axis of the first super lens, so that the second light beam can point to different angles after passing through the first super lens.

[0030] In some other schemes, the transmitting device includes multiple optical transmitting modules, and the offset directions, distances, etc. of the multiple optical transmitting modules are different, so that the light beams emitted by the multiple optical transmitting modules present a homogenized effect in the angular space, thereby filling the energy gap between the light sources, improving the uniformity of energy distribution, and improving the detection performance.

[0031] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a transmitting device, which comprises N optical transmitting modules as described in any one of the first aspect, where N is an integer greater than 0.

[0032] The N group of optical lenses can further process the light beam processed by the super lens, so that the emitted light beam can better meet the needs of users.

[0033] Optionally, the optical lens group may include one or more lenses.

[0034] Exemplarily, the optical lens group may include a lens, which can be used to process light beams generated by N optical emission modules, or, when N>1, the optical lens group can be used to process light beams generated by some of the N optical emission modules.

[0035] As another example, the optical lens group may include multiple lenses, and the multiple lenses may include multiple lenses arranged in a front-to-back manner, or may include a lens array. For example, the lens array may include N lenses, each lens being used to process a light beam generated by an optical emission module.

[0036] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the optical lens group includes a first optical lens. The first optical lens is used to collimate the light beams from the N optical emission modules in a first direction to obtain a linear light beam. In this way, a line light spot with a higher energy density can be obtained and the energy distribution within the line light spot is more uniform, which is conducive to improving the long-distance detection performance.

[0037] In another possible implementation manner of the second aspect, N>1, the N optical emission modules are arranged in an array, and the difference in geometric center offsets between any two adjacent optical emission modules in a row of optical emission modules in the array is the same;

[0038] The geometric center offset of each of the N optical emission modules is the offset between the geometric center of the M light sources in each optical emission module and the geometric center of the first super lens.

[0039] In the above embodiment, since the first superlens can process the light beam, when the geometric center of the M light sources is offset from the geometric center of the first superlens, the light beam can be folded so that the pointing angle of the light beam is evenly folded outward, thereby realizing the control of the pointing angle of the light beam.

[0040] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, N>1, and the direction of the geometric center offset of multiple optical emission modules in the N optical emission modules includes at least two offset directions. The direction of the geometric center offset of each optical emission module in the multiple optical emission modules is the direction of the offset of the geometric center of the M light sources in each optical reflection module relative to the geometric center of the first metalens.

[0041] In the above embodiment, there is a misalignment between the center of the metalens and the multiple light sources, and the misalignment can be in various forms. In this way, the light beams emitted by the multiple optical emission modules can be homogenized, the energy gap of the emitted light beams can be reduced, the uniformity of energy distribution can be improved, and the detection performance can be improved.

[0042] In addition, among the N light source emission modules, there may be some optical emission modules whose geometric center offset value is greater than 0. Alternatively, the geometric center offset value of each optical emission module among the N optical emission modules is greater than 0.

[0043] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, N>1, N optical emission modules are arranged in an array, the N optical emission modules are included in L unit groups, each of the L unit groups includes K optical emission modules, and K and L are both integers greater than 0;

[0044] The directions of geometric center offsets of the optical emission modules in each unit group are the same, and the directions of geometric center offsets of the optical emission modules in two adjacent unit groups among the L unit groups are different.

[0045] The above embodiment provides a dislocation method, where N optical emission modules are divided into multiple unit groups, and the dislocation directions of the optical emission modules in each unit group are the same. There are two unit groups adjacent in position in the multiple unit groups, and the directions of the geometric center offset of the optical emission modules are different.

[0046] In a possible implementation, N optical emission modules are gridded (i.e., one unit group is one grid), each grid may contain multiple optical emission modules, the optical emission modules in each grid have the same misalignment direction, and there is a group of optical emission modules in adjacent grids in the multiple grids with different misalignment directions. Furthermore, the misalignment modes of the optical emission modules in any two adjacent grids are different.

[0047] In another possible implementation manner of the second aspect, N>1, the N optical emission modules are arranged in an array, the N optical emission modules are included in L unit groups, each of the L unit groups includes K optical emission modules, and K and L are both integers greater than 0;

[0048] The transmitting device further includes L second super lenses, the L second super lenses correspond one-to-one to the L unit groups, and the L second super lenses are used to respectively adjust the pointing angles of the light beams emitted by the L unit groups.

[0049] The above provides an implementation method for adjusting the pointing angle, where N optical emission modules are divided into multiple unit groups, and the misalignment direction (i.e., the direction of geometric center offset) of the optical emission modules in each unit group is the same. A second super lens is set outside the optical emission module, and the second super lens is used to adjust the pointing angle of the light beam generated by one or more unit groups. In this way, the pointing angle of the light beam can be flexibly adjusted, which is beneficial to improving the detection quality.

[0050] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, each of the L second super lenses comprises a substrate and a third micro-nano structure layer carried by the substrate, and the third micro-nano structure layer comprises a plurality of third nanostructure units. By achieving pointing angle control through a super lens, the device integration of the transmitting device can be further improved.

[0051] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a detection device, which includes a transmitting device and a detector as described in any one of the second aspects. The transmitting device is used to transmit a transmission light beam to the object space, and the detector is used to receive a return light beam from the object space, and the return light beam includes an echo corresponding to the transmission light beam.

[0052] Furthermore, the emitted light beam may be the second light beam, or the emitted light beam may be a light beam formed by the second light beam passing through other optical elements.

[0053] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a terminal, the terminal includes the optical transmission module described in any one of the first aspect, or the terminal includes the transmission device described in any one of the second aspect, or the terminal includes the detection device described in the third aspect.

[0054] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the terminal is a vehicle, a drone, or a robot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] The following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for describing the embodiments.

[0056] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a detection device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical emission module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a metalens provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of two nanostructure units provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0060] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of another first metalens provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of another first metalens provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] Figure 7 1 is a schematic diagram of the dimensions of the surface and light-emitting area of ​​a possible metalens provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the area of ​​a beam cross section provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the position between a light-transmitting surface and a first light beam provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Fig.10 It is a schematic diagram of two geometric center offsets provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0066] Fig.11is a schematic diagram of the distribution of a light spot in an angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of several light source arrangement methods provided in the embodiments of the present application;

[0068] Fig.13 It is a structural schematic diagram of a transmitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] Fig.14 is a top view of another launching device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of brightness of a light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Fig.16 It is a structural schematic diagram of a transmitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Fig.17 This is another schematic diagram of brightness of a light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of multiple optical emission modules included in an emission device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Fig.19 This is another schematic diagram of brightness of a light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram of an offset direction provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] Fig.21 is a schematic diagram of an offset provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] Fig. 22 This is another schematic diagram of brightness of a light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] Fig.23 is a top view of another launching device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] Fig.24 is a top view of another launching device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] Fig.25 It is a schematic diagram of the directional angle control effect of a super lens antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] Fig.26 This is another possible pointing angle schematic diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] Fig. 27 This is a top view of another launching device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] In recent years, intelligent driving technology has become one of the increasingly indispensable technologies in the process of vehicle driving, and is also a key technology in the development of vehicle intelligence. In intelligent driving technology, the sensor layer is likened to the "eyes" of the car, and the sensor layer includes sensors such as vehicle-mounted millimeter-wave radar, vehicle-mounted laser radar, and vehicle-mounted ultrasonic radar. Among them, laser radar has become one of the indispensable sensors in intelligent driving technology due to its advantages such as high resolution, good concealment, and accurate ranging.

[0084] One of the key development directions of LiDAR is high device integration and multi-channel emission. Since LiDAR needs to emit and receive light beams, the processing of light beams is usually done using geometric lenses. However, the volume of geometric lenses is large, which makes it difficult to reduce the volume of LiDAR. Taking the emission optical system of LiDAR as an example, the current emission optical system is usually composed of structures such as a light source, a geometric lens, and a lens barrel. The distance between the light source and the lens is relatively far and relatively independent, which makes the emission optical system bulky and hinders the miniaturization of LiDAR.

[0085] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide an optical emission module, an emission device, a detection device and a terminal, through which the energy density of the light spot formed by the emission light beam can be improved, and the device integration can be improved. It should be understood that the detection device in the present application can be a laser radar, or other devices that need to emit a light beam, for example, a fusion perception device that combines laser detection function and camera function.

[0086] The following first introduces the detection device provided by the embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 , Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a detection device provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the detection device 10 comprises a transmitting device 20 and a detector 30, wherein the solid line with an arrow indicates the propagation direction of light.

[0087] Among them, the transmitting device 20 can generate an emission light beam, which can be one channel or multiple channels. The emission light beam can be propagated into the object space for detecting targets in the object space. The transmitting device 20 may include one or more optical emission modules 40, and the optical emission module 40 includes a light source and a super lens, the light source is used to emit a light beam, and the super lens is used to process the light beam emitted by the light source. Exemplarily, the light source can be a laser. Further, the laser can be, for example, a vertical surface emitting laser or an edge emitting laser (edge ​​emitting laser, EEL), etc. When the vertical surface emitting laser is arranged on a circuit board, the light emitting surface is parallel to the surface of the circuit board. Exemplarily, the vertical surface emitting laser includes but is not limited to one or more of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, VCSEL), a photonic crystal surface emitting semiconductor laser (photonic crystal surface emitting semiconductor lasers, PCSEL), a horizontal cavity surface emitting laser (Horizontal Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser, HCSEL), a fiber laser, etc. An edge-emitting laser is a laser that emits light through a side surface. In other words, an edge-emitting laser is a laser that emits light through a side surface (or a surface perpendicular to the circuit board) when it is set on a circuit board. Alternatively, the EEL can also be replaced by other devices that emit light at the edge of the light-emitting element, such as a silicon photonic chip. Further, some possible implementations of the emitting device 20 are described below. For example, the emitting device 20 can be Fig.13 , Fig.14 , Fig.16 , Fig.18 , Fig.23 , Fig.24 , Fig. 27 The transmitting device shown in the above embodiments.

[0088] The detector 30 is used to receive the light beam from the object space. In most scenarios, the light beam from the object space contains the echo of the light beam emitted by the transmitting device, and the information of the target in the object space can be determined by the echo, such as one or more of the distance, position, angle, color, reflectivity, or speed of the target. The detector 30 may include one or more detection elements, such as a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD), a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), a semiconductor avalanche photodiode (APD), a multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC), or an electron multiplying charge-coupled device (EMCCD). Optionally, when the detector 30 includes multiple detection elements, the multiple detection elements can be arranged in an array, and the detector 30 can be called an array detector.

[0089] The optical emission module provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below. Optionally, the optical emission module may be included in Figure 1 The transmitting device.

[0090] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 : is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical emission module provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the optical emission module 40 includes a plurality of light sources 60 (each light source is represented by a circular area) and a first metalens 50. For ease of description, the number of light sources included in the optical emission module 40 is represented as M, where M is an integer greater than 1. Where:

[0091] The light source 60 is used to generate a light beam. For the sake of distinction, the light beam generated by the M light sources 60 is referred to as the first light beam. The light source 60 can be a VCSEL, a PCSEL, or an EEL. Optionally, one light source 60 is an optical aperture (OA). Taking VCSEL as an example, one light source (ie, OA) can be a VCSEL light-emitting tube. Since the optical emission module 40 includes multiple light sources, the multiple light sources can be arranged and designed, which is conducive to flexible adjustment to achieve the distribution of light spots in the angular space. For example, Figure 2The multiple light sources shown can be arranged in multiple rows and staggered between rows, which can reduce the gap between the light sources and thus reduce the gap between the light spots formed, so that the distribution of the light spots in the angular space is more uniform. In addition, the light beams emitted by the multiple light sources also have more room for operation when performing light field control. Furthermore, the multiple light sources can be packaged to form a three-dimensional plate-like structure, such as Figure 2 The multiple light sources shown are integrated into a substrate to form a light source array. Of course, the material of the substrate where the light sources are located and the material of the substrate in the subsequent metalens are usually different.

[0092] The first superlens 50 is used to process the first light beam to obtain the second light beam. The processing here includes light field control of the first light beam. Among them, the light field is a collection of light rays in space, including the position and angle of the light rays in space. Light field control refers to the control of the light field of the light beam, and light field control may include one or more of the following processing: convergence, collimation, divergence, splitting, reflection, refraction, homogenization, or filtering, or it may also include adjustment of one or more properties of the light beam, such as the pointing angle, divergence angle, phase, resonance, polarization, or dispersion. Some processing effects are exemplarily introduced below.

[0093] The first super lens 50 may specifically include one or more super lenses. The super lens includes nanostructure units arranged in a certain manner, and the overall volume is small. Figure 3 , Figure 3 : This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a superlens provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the superlens comprises a substrate 501 and a first micro-nanostructure layer 502 carried on the substrate 501, wherein the first micro-nanostructure layer comprises a plurality of first nanostructure units. Among them, the substrate 501 is used to carry the micro-nanostructure layer, and is usually made of a light-transmitting material, such as glass or crystal. In some scenarios, the substrate is a highly light-transmitting material, thereby reducing the energy loss of the light beam. Exemplarily, the transmittance of the highly light-transmitting material is higher than a first threshold value, and the first threshold value can be predefined (e.g., industry regulations) or pre-set, for example, the highly light-transmitting material can be, for example, a material with a transmittance higher than 99%, or the highly light-transmitting material can be, for example, a material with a transmittance higher than 90%.

[0094] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of two nanostructure units provided in the embodiment of the present application. The first nanostructure unit can be Figure 4 The nano-column 501a shown in part (a) of the embodiment of the present invention, or Figure 4 Of course, in the specific implementation process, the nanostructure units can be designed into other shapes to meet the requirements of the beam processing effect. Further, the nanostructure units can be arranged on the substrate according to a preset phase.

[0095] In summary, Figure 2 In the optical emission module 40 shown, the first super lens 50 and the plurality of light sources 60 form a "one-to-many" structure. The first light beam formed by the light emitted by the plurality of light sources is processed by the first super lens to form a second light beam. The second light beam can be used for a variety of functions, such as ranging, mapping, etc. Exemplarily, the optical emission module 40 can be included in Figure 1 In the transmitting device 20 of the detection device 10 shown.

[0096] Consider a possible situation. If the optical emission module only contains a single light source, the energy of the light beam emitted by the light source is higher near the center of the light beam, while the energy of the edge part is lower. When the light beam of a single light source is not collimated, the divergence angle of the light source is relatively large, resulting in a decrease in the energy density propagated to the space and poor detection effect. If the light beam of a single light source is collimated, the uniformity of the energy distribution of the light spot will decrease. In addition, the operating space for light field control of the light beam generated by a single light source is relatively small, especially in the design of collimation, pointing angle control, homogenization effect, staggered arrangement of light spots, etc., which is difficult to meet user needs.

[0097] Through the embodiments of the present application, on the one hand, the power of the light beam emitted by the multiple light sources is the superposition of the power of each light source in the multiple light sources, the energy density of the emitted light beam is relatively high, and the multiple light sources are arranged to form a light-emitting area so that the energy distribution of the emitted light beam is also more uniform. For example, the light beam emitted by the multiple light sources can form multiple areas with relatively high energy (referred to as high-energy areas) in the light beam, and the light spot array corresponding to the multiple high-energy areas in the overall light spot formed by the light beam emitted by the multiple light sources is arranged, thereby not only increasing the area of ​​the overall light spot but also making the energy distribution in the overall light spot more uniform. Moreover, the design of multiple light sources can also reduce the difficulty of light field control of the light beam. In particular, when the light beam is collimated, homogenized, and directed to the angle, the light beam formed by the multiple light sources can achieve a better light field control effect. The first light beam emitted by the multiple light sources can be collimated by the first super lens, thereby forming a second light beam with more concentrated power and at the same time making the energy distribution in the light spot of the second light beam uniform. In the far-field detection (for example, >100 meters) scene, the second light beam can still maintain a large power and a more uniform light spot at a long distance, which can significantly indicate the detection effect.

[0098] On the other hand, using a super lens to process the light beam emitted by the light source can significantly reduce the overall volume of the emission device and improve the device integration while achieving light field control. When the optical emission module is applied to a detection device, it is conducive to miniaturization of the detection device.

[0099] It should be noted that Figure 1The XYZ coordinate axes shown are for the purpose of facilitating the subsequent introduction of the optical emission module from multiple angles, and the design of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis is an exemplary case and is not intended to limit the specific implementation manner.

[0100] The structural design of the first metalens is introduced below. It should be understood that the various possible designs introduced below can also be combined.

[0101] In one possible design, the first metalens may also include a protective layer. Figure 5 , Figure 5 : is a structural schematic diagram of another first superlens provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein the first superlens 50 comprises a substrate 501, a first micro-nano structure layer 502 and a first protective layer 503. Among them, there is a groove in the substrate 501, and the first protective layer 503 covers the groove of the substrate 501 to form a cavity, and the first micro-nano structure layer 502 is contained in the cavity. On the one hand, the reliability of the micro-nano structure layer can be improved through the cavity structure, which is conducive to ensuring the quality of the emitted light beam; on the other hand, the effective refractive index of the micro-nano structure can be guaranteed through the cavity structure, which is conducive to reducing the difficulty of processing.

[0102] Optionally, one end of one or more first nanostructure units in the first micro-nanostructure layer is connected to the substrate 501, and the other end is in contact with the first protective layer 503. In other words, the two ends of the nanostructure unit are in contact with the substrate and the protective layer respectively, which can further improve stability.

[0103] In another possible design, the first metalens may include multiple micro-nanostructure layers. By jointly processing the light beam through multiple micro-nanostructure layers, the effect of light beam processing can be improved to achieve a more complex and precise light field control effect. Further optionally, the multiple micro-nanostructure layers can be a multi-layer structure (i.e., a front-to-back arrangement), for example, jointly processing the first light beam. Exemplarily, the first metalens may include multiple layers such as Figure 3 or Figure 5 Optionally, when the first metalens includes multiple micro-nano structure layers, the multiple micro-nano structure layers may have the same light field regulation function or different light field regulation functions. For example, the first micro-nano structure layer and the second micro-nano structure layer may be used together for light beam collimation.

[0104] As an example of a multi-layer micro-nanostructure layer, the first superlens may include a first micro-nanostructure layer and a second micro-nanostructure layer, the first micro-nanostructure layer is as described above, and the second micro-nanostructure layer includes a plurality of second nanostructure units, and the second nanostructure unit is also a structure with a volume (or length, height or width, etc.) at the nanoscale, such as a nanoprism or a nanocylinder, etc., and its specific shape can be designed according to actual needs. Optionally, the shapes of the first nanostructure unit and the second nanostructure unit may be the same or different. Similarly, the second nanostructure unit may also be arranged according to a preset phase. Optionally, in terms of arrangement, the phase of the first nanostructure unit may be different from the phase of the second nanostructure.

[0105] Furthermore, the second micro-nano structure layer may also be supported on a substrate. For example, the second micro-nano structure layer and the first micro-nano structure layer may be located on the same substrate.

[0106] Exemplarily, the first micro-nano structure layer and the second micro-nano structure layer are located on two opposite surfaces of the substrate, which can further reduce the size of the optical emission module. Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another first super lens provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first super lens 50 comprises a substrate 501, a first micro-nano structure layer 502, a second micro-nano structure layer 504, a first protective layer 503 and a second protective layer 505. The substrate 501 has two opposite grooves, each forming a cavity with the two protective layers, and the first micro-nano structure layer and the second micro-nano structure layer are respectively arranged in the two cavities. Figure 5 Taking the structure with a protective layer as an example, the multi-layer micro-nano structure layer without a protective layer and a cavity can also be used in the same way.

[0107] For example, the second micro-nano structure layer and the first micro-nano structure layer can be located on different substrates. This design can reduce the difficulty of production and reduce costs. For example, the first metalens can have multiple similar Figure 5 or Figure 6 The structure shown.

[0108] The size design of the first superlens is introduced below.

[0109] In a possible design, the cross-sectional area of ​​the light-transmitting surface of the first metalens is larger than the area of ​​the light-emitting region, and the light-emitting region is the region formed by the light-emitting surfaces of the M light sources. The light-transmitting surface of the metalens refers to the surface on the metalens through which the first light beam passes, and further, the light-transmitting surface here refers to the light-transmitting surface close to the first light beam. Optionally, in combination with Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the light-transmitting surface of the first superlens may include the paving area of ​​the first micro-nanostructure layer. Figure 6, the light-transmitting surface of the first metalens may include the overlapping area of ​​the laying area of ​​the first micro-nanostructure layer and the laying area of ​​the second micro-nanostructure layer. The light-emitting area is the area formed by the light-emitting surfaces surrounding the M light sources. For example, the light-emitting surface of the VCSEL light-emitting tube is the cross-section of the aperture of the light-emitting light. Exemplarily, the light-emitting area includes the light-emitting surfaces of the M light sources, and further includes the gap between two adjacent light sources.

[0110] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the size of the surface and light-emitting area of ​​a possible first metalens provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 7 As shown in part (a) of FIG. 7 , region 701 is the area formed by the light-emitting surfaces of the M light sources 60, which includes the area of ​​the light-emitting holes of the light sources and the gap between the two light sources. Figure 7 As shown in part (b) of FIG. 1 , region 702 is the area of ​​the light-transmitting surface of the metalens, wherein the area of ​​region 702 is greater than the area of ​​region 701. Figure 2 In the optical transmission module shown, the light beam propagates in the direction of the XY plane. Without considering the deflection of the light path, Figure 7 The area shown is the area from the perspective of the XY plane.

[0111] In another possible design, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first light beam emitted by the M light sources on the metalens is smaller than the area of ​​the light-transmitting surface of the metalens. In other words, the light beams emitted by the M light sources are all included in the metalens. Figure 8 , Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the area of ​​a beam cross section provided in an embodiment of the present application, Figure 8 Part (a) shown is the light-emitting surface of M light sources 60. Since the metalens may be at a certain distance from the multiple light sources, when the light beams emitted by the M light sources reach the light-transmitting surface of the metalens, the cross section of the light beams may be as follows: Figure 8 As shown in part (b) of FIG. 8 , the cross-sectional area of ​​the light beam is shown in part (c) of FIG. 8 , for example, it can be represented as region 801. The area of ​​region 801 can be larger than the area of ​​region 702. In this way, the first light beams emitted by the M light sources can all pass through the super lens in the first super lens and be regulated as a whole. It should be understood that Figure 7 The cross-section of the light beam shown is only an example. During the specific implementation, the cross-section of the light beam corresponding to each light source may be larger or smaller, which will not be explained here one by one.

[0112] Optionally, the light-transmitting surface here may be a light-transmitting surface close to the M light sources. Furthermore, after the first light beam is emitted from the M light sources and before passing through the super lens, it may be subjected to a converging process.

[0113] In a possible implementation, the first light beam can be incident on the central portion of the metalens and avoid approaching the edge portion of the first metalens, thereby avoiding the light beam from being distorted at the edge portion, ensuring the shaping quality of the light beam, and improving the usability of the light beam generated by the optical emission module.

[0114] Exemplarily, the first light beams emitted by the M light sources are incident on the light-transmitting surface of the metalens, and the minimum distance between the first light beams passing through the metalens and the edge of the light-transmitting surface of the metalens is greater than a first threshold, and the value of the first threshold is greater than 0. Fig. 9 , Fig. 9 901 is a schematic diagram of the position between a light-transmitting surface and a first light beam provided in an embodiment of the present application. The light-transmitting surface of the metalens in the first metalens is shown in area 901, and the cross section of the first light beam on the light-transmitting surface is shown in area 902. It can be seen that when the first light beam is incident on the light-transmitting surface, the light beam is close to the center of the light-transmitting surface. The minimum distance between the first light beam and the light-transmitting surface is represented by d1, and d1 is greater than 0. In other words, the first light beam may not be close to the edge of the metalens. Further, d1 may be greater than a pre-designed first threshold value, for example, the first threshold value may be 5 nanometers, or 10 micrometers, etc.

[0115] Optionally, the above embodiment is applied when the emitted light beam has a large field angle. For example, the field angle is greater than the first angle threshold. For example, the first angle threshold is greater than 60°, or the first angle threshold is greater than 120°. The field angle may be the angle formed by the two edges of the maximum range through which the light beam can pass through the lens (or lens), and the larger the field angle, the larger the field of view.

[0116] Furthermore, the pointing angle of the first light beam needs to be adjusted in the first direction. At this time, the minimum distance between the first light beam passing through the metalens and the edge of the light-transmitting surface of the metalens can be replaced by the minimum distance between the first light beam and the edge of the light-transmitting surface of the metalens in the first direction. Fig. 9 For example, if the first light source needs to adjust the pointing angle in the x-axis direction, at this time, the minimum distance between the first light beam and the edge of the light-transmitting surface of the metalens in the x-axis direction can be expressed as d2, and d2 is greater than 0. In other words, in the direction of the pointing angle adjustment, the first light beam should avoid approaching the edge of the metalens. Further, d2 can be greater than a pre-designed second threshold, for example, the second threshold can be 5 nanometers, or 10 micrometers, etc.

[0117] Of course, when the control direction of the pointing angle is inconsistent with the row arrangement direction or column arrangement direction of the M light sources, the control square of the pointing angle can be decomposed into multiple sub-directions. At this time, the first light beam is at a certain distance from the edge of the metalens in each of the multiple sub-directions.

[0118] As mentioned above, the first superlens is used to process the first light beam from M light sources to obtain the second light beam, and the processing of the light beam by the first light source includes light field control of the first light beam. The light field is a collection of light rays in space, including the position and angle of the light rays in space. Light field control refers to the control of the light field of the light beam, which may include one or more of the following processing: convergence, collimation, divergence, splitting, reflection, refraction, homogenization, or filtering, or it may also include the adjustment of one or more properties of the light beam, such as the pointing angle, divergence angle, phase, resonance, polarization, or dispersion.

[0119] The following is an exemplary introduction to the processing of the first light beam by the first superlens.

[0120] In a possible design, the first super lens is used to collimate the first light beam. Further, the second light beam forms M light spots in the angular space, and the arrangement of the M light spots is symmetrical with the arrangement center of the M light sources in the optical emission unit.

[0121] In a possible design, a pointing angle of the second light beam is different from a pointing angle of the first light beam.

[0122] It should be understood that the first super lens can simultaneously perform multiple different types of light field control on the light beam. Exemplarily, the first super lens is used to collimate and control the pointing angle of the first light beam to obtain the second light beam, thereby increasing the energy density of the light beam while propagating the second light beam to a specified pointing angle, so that the second light beam can accurately detect a certain area and has a good distance measurement effect.

[0123] In a possible design, the control of the pointing angle can be achieved by offsetting the geometric center of the light source with the geometric center of the first metalens. In other words, the geometric centers of the M light sources can be offset from the geometric center of the first metalens. Fig.10 , Fig.10 Schematic diagram of two geometric center offsets provided in the embodiments of the present application. Fig.10 In part (a), the geometric center of the M light sources may be point P, which is the central symmetric point of the M light sources, and point Q is the geometric center of the first super lens. The distance between PQ is the offset between the geometric center of the M light sources and the geometric center of the first super lens, which may be expressed as d3, for example. Optionally, d3≥0.

[0124] exist Fig.10 In part (b), point P is located on the symmetry axis of the M light sources, or at the midpoint of the first column of optical elements, point Q is the geometric center of the first super lens, and the distance between PQ is the offset between the geometric center of the M light sources and the geometric center of the first super lens, which can be expressed as d4, for example. Optionally, d4≥0.

[0125] Optionally, the geometric center offset of the optical emission module may specifically be an offset along the main optical axis of the light beam at a viewing angle, that is, Fig.10 The light beams emitted by the M light sources propagate along a direction passing through the XY plane (such as the Z-axis direction, that is, a direction perpendicular to the XY plane).

[0126] like Fig.11 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of a light spot in the angular space provided by an embodiment of the present application. It can be seen that by misaligning the geometric center of the light source with the geometric center of the light beam unit, the main optical axis of the light beam emitted by the light source can be offset from the main optical axis of the first super lens, and after the collimation of the first super lens, a light spot is formed in the right part of the angular space, that is, after passing through the first super lens, the second light beam can point to different angles.

[0127] In some other possible designs, the transmitting device includes multiple optical transmitting modules, and the offset directions, distances, etc. of the multiple optical transmitting modules are different (described below), so that the light beams emitted by the multiple optical transmitting modules show a homogenized effect in the angular space.

[0128] It should be noted that the geometric center of the M light sources can be predefined or predesigned. For example, the geometric center of the M light sources can be the intersection of the horizontal and vertical centers of the M light sources. Alternatively, when the M light sources form a symmetrical structure, the geometric center can be located at a symmetrical point or at a symmetrical axis.

[0129] The following introduces possible arrangements of the M light sources.

[0130] See also Fig.12 , Fig.12 Schematic diagram of several light source arrangements provided in the embodiments of the present application. Fig.12 As shown in part (a) of FIG. 1 , the number of light sources can be two, and the two light sources can be arranged in a row in a certain direction, such as in the y-axis direction. Fig.12 As shown in part (b) of FIG. 1 , the number of light sources can be 3, and the three light sources can form multiple columns, which are staggered. From the y-axis direction, the center of the light source in the second column is located in the gap between the light sources in the first column. Of course, the number of light sources can be more, forming an array, and the multiple rows or columns of light sources arranged in the array are staggered. Fig.12 As shown in part (c) of FIG. 1 , the number of light sources can be 8, forming two staggered rows, with 4 light sources in each row. Fig.12 As shown in part (d) of FIG. 1 , the number of light sources may be 12, forming three staggered rows, with 4 light sources in each row. Fig.12 As shown in part (e), the number of light sources can be 21, arranged in three columns, with 7 light sources in each column.

[0131] The transmitting device provided in the embodiment of the present application is introduced below.

[0132] The embodiment of the present application provides a transmitting device, which includes one or more of the aforementioned optical transmitting modules, such as Figure 2 The optical emission module shown, and the optical emission module described in the possible design thereof. For ease of description, the number of optical emission modules included in the emission device is represented as N below, where N is an integer greater than 0.

[0133] See also Fig.13 , Fig.13 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an emission device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The emission module includes multiple optical emission modules, and the optical emission module is a super lens group (which can be regarded as a first super lens) and a plurality of light sources to form a "one-to-many" structure. The light sources in the multiple emission optical emission modules are arranged in an array as a whole to form a light source array; the super lenses in the multiple emission optical emission modules are arranged in an array to form a super lens group array. Optionally, in each optical emission module, the area of ​​the super lens group is larger than the area of ​​the light-emitting area formed by the plurality of light sources. Fig.14 1 is a top view of another emitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application, wherein a single unit refers to a single optical emitting module, and a light source OA refers to a light source. In a single unit, the cross-sectional area of ​​the super lens group is larger than the area formed by the light-emitting areas of the eight light sources OA.

[0134] Optionally, a super lens group is used to collimate and shape the light beams emitted by the corresponding light sources. After the super lens group collimates and shapes, the light sources will show multiple light spots in the far-field angle space. Fig.15 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the brightness of a light beam in angular space provided by an embodiment of the present application. It can be seen that the arrangement of the light spot is centrally symmetrical with the arrangement of several light sources in the optical emission module. In this way, the light beam is processed by a super lens, which greatly reduces the volume of the emission device and improves the integration of the device. Moreover, the super lens group forms a "one-to-many" structure with several light sources, which can control the light field of light beams emitted by multiple light sources, greatly reducing the difficulty of beam shaping and increasing the operable space for light field control.

[0135] In a possible implementation, the transmitting device may further include an optical lens group, and the optical lens is used to process the light beam generated by one or more optical transmitting modules in the optical device, including but not limited to optical shaping, such as one or more of convergence, divergence, collimation, homogenization, refraction, filtering, or splitting. Exemplarily, the optical lens group may include one or more lenses. Exemplarily, the optical lens group may include a lens, which may be used to process the light beams generated by N optical transmitting modules, or, when N>1, the optical lens group may be used to process the light beams generated by some of the N optical transmitting modules. More exemplarily, the optical lens group may include multiple lenses, and the multiple lenses may include multiple lenses arranged front and back, or may include a lens array. For example, the lens array may include N lenses, each lens being used to process the light beam generated by an optical transmitting module.

[0136] See also Fig.16 , Fig.16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transmitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The transmitting device includes a light source array, a metal lens group array and a geometric lens. A metal lens group and several light sources are included in an optical transmitting module. The light beam emitted by the light source array is collimated and shaped by the metal lens group, and then shaped by the geometric lens. Please refer to Fig.17 , Fig.17 It is another schematic diagram of the brightness of a light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application, in which the energy distribution of the light spot in angular space changes from discrete points to continuous lines, the energy density of the light spot is high and the energy distribution within the line spot is relatively uniform.

[0137] Optionally, when the emission module includes multiple optical emission modules (ie, N>1), the number of light sources included in the multiple optical emission modules may be the same or different.

[0138] In a possible implementation, N (N>1) optical emission modules in the emission device are arranged in an array, and the difference in geometric center offset between any two adjacent optical emission modules in a row of optical emission modules in the array is the same. The geometric center offset is the offset (referred to as offset) between the geometric center of the M light sources in the optical emission module and the geometric center of the first metalens.

[0139] like Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of optical emission modules included in an emission device provided in an embodiment of the present application, such as Fig.18 The five optical emission modules shown are included in the emission device, and belong to a row of the emission device or part of the optical emission modules in a row. Fig.18In the embodiment, the light source in each optical emission module is offset from the geometric center of the first metalens (referred to as geometric center offset), and the geometric center offsets of multiple optical emission modules are regular. One possible regularity is as follows: relative to the geometric center of the first metalens in each optical emission module, starting from the first optical emission module, the geometric center of the light source in each optical emission module gradually moves in a certain direction (for example, Fig.18 Further, the step amount of each change can be the same, that is, the difference in geometric center offsets between adjacent optical emission modules is the same. Of course, the same here does not mean absolute sameness, and the error caused by the manufacturing process and the measurement error need to be considered.

[0140] As a possible implementation, the light beam can be directed to different angles by offsetting the geometric center of the light source and the geometric center of the first metalens. In this way, the relative position of the light source OA and the geometric center of the metalens can be adjusted to adjust the pointing angle while achieving collimation.

[0141] See also Fig.19 , Fig.19 is another schematic diagram of the brightness of a light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application, Fig.19 Respectively expressed as Fig.18 The energy distribution of the light spots formed by the multiple optical emission modules in the angular space is shown. Fig.18 , the light beam of the first optical emission module points to the angle range of 5.5° to 11.9°, while the light beam of the second optical emission module points to the angle range of 0.5° to 6.9°. Similarly, the third to fifth optical emission modules point to 1.9° to -4.3°, -2.9° to -7.4°, and -7.9° to -11.9°, respectively. It can be seen that Fig.19 In the embodiment shown, the light source is collimated and the pointing angle is controlled by the metalens at the same time. Moreover, the control of the pointing angle can be flexible, so that when the user needs light beams with different pointing angles, there is no need to limit the arrangement of the light source. In short, the embodiment of the present application effectively increases the optical control capability at the microscopic scale.

[0142] In addition, Fig.18 In the staggered arrangement of light sources in adjacent optical emission modules, for example, the center of a light source OA in the second column of the first optical emission module (for convenience, referred to as OA1) and the center of two light sources OA in the first column of the second optical emission module (for convenience, referred to as OA2 and OA3) are misaligned, that is, in the lateral direction, the center of OA1 is located in the gap between OA2 and OA3. Fig.18 and Fig.19, the directional angle ranges of the light beams emitted by adjacent optical emission modules also overlap. In this way, through the staggered arrangement of the light sources and the overlap of the directional angle ranges, the light spots of the emitted light beams can be densely arranged, further filling the energy distribution gap of the light spots formed by the light sources and improving the detection performance.

[0143] In a possible implementation, the direction of the geometric center offset of multiple optical emission modules among the N (N>1) optical emission modules in the emission device includes at least two offset directions, wherein the direction of the geometric center offset is the direction of the offset of the geometric center of the M light sources in the optical reflection module relative to the geometric center of the first metalens. In other words, there is a misalignment between the first metalens and the center of the multiple light sources, and the misalignment can be in a variety of ways. In this way, the light beams emitted by the multiple optical emission modules can be homogenized, reducing the energy gap of the emitted light beams.

[0144] See also Fig. 20 , Fig. 20 : is a schematic diagram of an offset direction provided in an embodiment of the present application. The offset can also be called misalignment. In the absence of misalignment, the geometric center of the light source in a single unit overlaps with the geometric center of the metalens. When the geometric center of the light source is offset to the upper right corner relative to the geometric center of the first metalens, that is, when the offset direction is the upper right, a "upper right misalignment" design is formed. Exemplarily, the offset direction includes but is not limited to the upper, lower, left, right, upper left, upper right, lower left, or lower right directions. Furthermore, the offset distance (i.e., the offset value) can be less than the distance between the center of the metalens and the edge of the direction.

[0145] In a possible implementation, the offset directions of two adjacent optical emission modules are different. Further, for a plurality of optical emission modules arranged in an array, the offset directions of adjacent optical emission modules in the row direction and the column direction are different. Fig.21 , Fig.21 This is a schematic diagram of an offset provided by an embodiment of the present application. The transmitting device may include 9 optical transmitting modules of 3*3, wherein any two of the 9 optical transmitting modules differ in whether they are offset or in the direction of offset. For example, the optical transmitting module in the middle is not offset, while the remaining 8 optical transmitting modules are all offset in different directions. Fig. 22 , Fig. 22 This is another schematic diagram of the brightness of a light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application. The emitting device includes units with different staggered modes, which can achieve a uniform distribution effect of the light spot in angular space.

[0146] In another possible implementation, N optical emission modules are arranged in an array, and the N optical emission modules are included in L unit groups, and each of the L unit groups includes K optical emission modules, where K and L are both integers greater than 0. The directions of geometric center offsets of the optical emission modules in each unit group are the same, and the directions of geometric center offsets of the optical emission modules in two adjacent unit groups in the L unit groups are different.

[0147] See also Fig.23 , Fig.23 It is a top view of another transmitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The transmitting device may include 16 4*4 optical transmitting modules, and the 16 optical transmitting modules may belong to four different unit groups, respectively represented as unit group 1, unit group 2, unit group 3 and unit group 4. Among them, unit group 1 includes 4 optical transmitting modules as shown in area 2301, unit group 2 includes 4 optical transmitting modules as shown in area 2302, unit group 3 includes 4 optical transmitting modules as shown in area 2303, and unit group 4 includes 4 optical transmitting modules as shown in area 2304. The offset direction of the optical transmitting modules of unit group 1 is all the upper left. None of the optical transmitting modules in unit group 2 is offset, or their offset direction is considered to be the zero direction (that is, the geometric centers of the two coincide, and the value of the geometric center offset is zero), and the zero direction is different from any other offset direction. Similarly, the offset direction of the optical transmitting module of unit group 3 is the lower left, and the offset direction of the optical transmitting module of unit group 4 is the lower left. In Fig.23 In the figure, unit group 1 is adjacent to unit group 3, but the offset directions of unit group 1 and unit group 3 are different.

[0148] Furthermore, the offset directions of any two adjacent groups of cells in the L groups are different, such as Fig.23 shown.

[0149] Optionally, the number of optical emission modules included in each of the L unit groups may also be different. Fig.23 For example, unit group 1 or unit group 2 etc. can also be designed to include more or fewer optical emission modules.

[0150] In another possible implementation, N optical emission modules are gridded (i.e., one unit group is one grid), each grid may contain multiple optical emission modules, the optical emission modules in each grid have the same misalignment direction, and at least one group of adjacent grids in the multiple grids has different misalignment directions of the optical emission modules. Optionally, each grid may contain the same optical emission module. Further optionally, the misalignment modes of the optical emission modules in any two adjacent grids are different.

[0151] Combination Fig.21, there can be at least one grid in the grid, which is conveniently described as the central grid. The geometric center of the light source in the optical emission module in the central grid is not offset from the geometric center of the metalens. In the grids located around the central grid, the geometric center of the light source in the optical emission module is offset from the geometric center of the metalens, and the offset direction is consistent with the position direction of the grid and the central grid. For example, if a grid is located to the left of the central grid, the geometric center of the light source in the optical emission module in the grid is offset from the geometric center of the metalens and the offset direction is to the left.

[0152] Optionally, the surrounding here may be one row (or column) or multiple rows (columns) outward from the grid as the center. Further, multiple optical emission modules in the same grid may be offset in the same direction but may be offset by different distances, and the offset distance may be related to the distance between the optical emission module and the center grid.

[0153] In a possible implementation, N>1, N optical emission modules are arranged in an array, the N optical emission modules are included in L unit groups, each of the L unit groups includes K optical emission modules, and K and L are both integers greater than 0;

[0154] The transmitting device also includes L second super lenses, and the L second super lenses correspond one-to-one to the L unit groups, and the L second super lenses are used to respectively adjust the pointing angles of the light beams emitted by the L unit groups. In other words, the N optical emission modules are divided into multiple unit groups, and the misalignment directions of the optical emission modules in each unit group are the same. A second super lens is set outside the optical emission module, and the second super lens is used to adjust the pointing angle of the light beam generated by one or more unit groups. In this way, the pointing angle of the light beam can be flexibly adjusted, which is beneficial to improving the detection quality.

[0155] See also Fig.24 , Fig.24 FIG. 1 is a top view of another launch device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The launch device may include three unit groups (i.e. Fig.24 The unit array shown in FIG. 1 and three super lens antenna structures (considered as the second super lens), each unit group includes one or more optical emission modules. Each super lens antenna structure is used to control the pointing angle of the light beam of a unit group. Fig.25 This is a schematic diagram of the directional angle control effect of a super lens antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. The three super lens antenna structures respectively control the light beams emitted by the three unit arrays to point to the following three angle ranges: -15° to -3°, -8° to 8°, and 3° to 15°. Furthermore, the light beams in adjacent unit groups can have overlapping angle ranges in the directional angle ranges to avoid the formed light spots having energy gaps.

[0156] In short, the second super lens can flexibly adjust the pointing angle of the optical emission module's light beam and realize a variety of pointing angle arrangement designs. Fig.26 , Fig.26 This is another possible directional angle schematic diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application. The transmitting device includes multiple optical transmitting modules arranged in an array, each of which belongs to 9 3*3 unit groups. The unit group in the first row and the first column points to 3° to 15°, the first row and the second column points to -15° to -3°, the first row and the third column points to -8° to 8°, and the directional angles of the remaining unit groups refer to Fig.26 It can be seen that the pointing angle of each unit group can be flexibly adjusted and is not limited by the location of the unit group. When users need light beams with different pointing angles, there is no need to limit the arrangement of light sources. Light sources arranged at any position can flexibly adjust their pointing angles, which significantly improves the operability of light field control.

[0157] In a possible implementation, N is greater than 1, and the emitting device includes a plurality of emitting optical emission modules, and the area of ​​the light-transmitting surface of each emitting optical emission module metalens is greater than the area of ​​the light-emitting regions of the plurality of light sources. Further, in each optical emission module, the light beams generated by the plurality of light sources can be incident on the central portion of the metalens and avoid approaching the edge portion of the first metalens.

[0158] See also Fig. 27 , Fig. 27 It is a top view of another transmitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Taking the transmitting device as an example, the three optical transmitting modules respectively include three super lens groups, and each super lens group is used to control the pointing angle of the light beams emitted by three columns of light sources (21 light sources) to form three groups of light beams, each group of light beams includes seven transverse light beams, and the pointing angles of the three light beams are respectively in the following angle ranges: -60° to -10°, -20° to 20°, and 10° to 60°. In this way, each super lens group is responsible for the emission of a certain range of field angles, and finally realizes the emission of a large field angle by splicing the field angle, and realizes small distortion or no distortion between the overall light beams. Of course, the designs of the three optical transmitting modules, three angle ranges, and 21 light sources here are only examples. In the specific implementation process, the range of the large field angle and the number of optical transmitting modules in the divided area can be customized according to specific needs.

[0159] The embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal, which includes the aforementioned transmitting device and / or detecting device. Optionally, the terminal may be an intelligent terminal or transportation tool such as a vehicle, a drone, or a robot.

[0160] In the description of the present application, the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0161] In addition, the Cartesian coordinate system and the x, y, and z directions shown in the various embodiments of the present application are exemplary marks made for the convenience of understanding and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application. In the specific implementation process, the placement of the device, the arrangement direction, and the direction of the light beam may have other designs, and the coordinate system may also use other coordinate systems such as a spherical coordinate system.

[0162] In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0163] The "at least one" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application refers to one or more, and "plurality" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can be represented by: a, b, c, (a and b), (a and c), (b and c), or (a and b and c), where a, b, c can be single or multiple. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can be represented by: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0164] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" used in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first super lens and the second super lens are only for the convenience of description, and do not represent the difference in material, structure, setting order, or importance of the first super lens and the second super lens.

Claims

1. An optical transmission module, characterized in that: The optical emission module comprises M light sources and a first super lens, where M is an integer greater than 1; The first super lens is used to process the first light beams from the M light sources to obtain the second light beams.

2. The optical emission module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first superlens includes a substrate and a first micro-nano structure layer carried on the substrate, and the first micro-nano structure layer includes a plurality of first nanostructure units.

3. The optical emission module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first superlens further comprises a second micro-nanostructure layer carried by the substrate, wherein the second micro-nanostructure layer comprises a plurality of second nanostructure units; The first micro-nano structure layer and the second micro-nano structure layer are located on two opposite surfaces of the substrate.

4. The optical emission module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The cross-sectional area of ​​the light-transmitting surface of the superlens is larger than the area of ​​the light-emitting region, and the light-emitting region is a region formed by the light-emitting surfaces surrounding the M light sources.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first light beams emitted by the M light sources are incident on the light-transmitting surface of the superlens, and the minimum distance between the first light beam passing through the superlens and the edge of the light-transmitting surface of the superlens is greater than a first threshold, and the value of the first threshold is greater than 0.

6. The optical emission module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first super lens is used to collimate the first light beam.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The pointing angle of the second light beam is different from the pointing angle of the first light beam.

8. The optical emission module according to claim 7, characterized in that: The geometric centers of the M light sources are offset from the geometric center of the first super lens.

9. A launching device, characterized in that: The transmitting device comprises N optical transmitting modules as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, where N is an integer greater than 0.

10. The transmitting device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The transmitting device further comprises an optical lens group, and the optical lens group is used to optically shape the light beams from the N optical transmitting modules.

11. The transmitting device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The optical lens group includes a first optical lens, and the first optical lens is used to collimate the light beams from the N optical emission modules in a first direction to obtain a linear light beam.

12. The transmitting device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: N>1, the N optical emission modules are arranged in an array, and the difference in geometric center offset between any two adjacent optical emission modules in a row of optical emission modules in the array is the same; The geometric center offset of each of the N optical emission modules is the offset between the geometric center of the M light sources in each optical emission module and the geometric center of the first super lens.

13. The transmitting device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that: N>1, the directions of geometric center offsets of multiple optical emission modules in the N optical emission modules include at least two offset directions; The direction in which the geometric center of each optical emission module in the plurality of optical emission modules is offset is the direction in which the geometric center of the M light sources in each optical reflection module is offset relative to the geometric center of the first super lens.

14. The optical emission module according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that: N>1, N optical emission modules are arranged in an array, the N optical emission modules are contained in L unit groups, each of the L unit groups contains K optical emission modules, and K and L are both integers greater than 0; The direction of geometric center offset of the optical emission module in each unit group is the same; Among the L unit groups, there are two adjacent unit groups in which the geometric center offset directions of the optical emission modules are different.

15. The optical transmission module according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that: N>1, N optical emission modules are arranged in an array, the N optical emission modules are contained in L unit groups, each of the L unit groups contains K optical emission modules, and K and L are both integers greater than 0; The transmitting device further includes L second super lenses, the L second super lenses correspond one-to-one to the L unit groups, and the L second super lenses are used to respectively adjust the pointing angles of the light beams emitted by the L unit groups.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that Each of the L second super lenses comprises a substrate and a third micro-nano structure layer supported on the substrate, and the third micro-nano structure layer comprises a plurality of third nanostructure units.

17. A detection device, characterized in that: The detection device comprises a transmitting device and a detector as described in any one of claims 9 to 16; The transmitting device is used to transmit the light beam to the object space; The detector is used to receive a return light beam from the object space, wherein the return light beam contains an echo corresponding to the emission light beam.

18. A terminal, characterized in that: The terminal includes the optical transmission module as described in any one of claims 1-8, or includes the transmission device as described in any one of claims 9-16, or includes the detection device as described in claim 17.

19. The terminal according to claim 18, characterized in that: The terminal is a vehicle, a drone or a robot.

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