Optical emission module, emission apparatus, detection apparatus and terminal

Abstract

An optical emission module (40), an emission apparatus (20), a detection apparatus (10) and a terminal, which are applied to the technical field of detection. The optical emission module (40) comprises M light sources (60) and a superlens (50), wherein M is an integer greater than 1. The superlens (50) is used for processing first light beams from the M light sources (60) to obtain second light beams. A light-emitting area formed by the multiple light sources (60) can improve the energy density of the second light beams, and can also make the energy distribution of the second light beams more uniform; in addition, the superlens (50) is used to process the light beams emitted by the light sources (60), so that the overall size of the emission apparatus (20) can be significantly reduced while light field regulation and control are realized, thereby improving the integration level of a device. When the optical emission module (40) is applied to the detection apparatus (10), the miniaturization of the detection apparatus (10) is facilitated.

Description

Optical emission module, emission device, detection device and terminal

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on August 15, 2023, with application number 202311033902.0 and application name “An optical emission module, emission device, detection device and terminal”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] 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, emission device, detection device and terminal. Background Art

[0003] With the development of information technology and computer vision, detection technology has made rapid progress. A wide variety of detection devices have brought significant convenience to people's lives and travel. For example, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) play a crucial role in smart cars. They utilize on-board detection devices to monitor the surrounding environment while the vehicle is in motion, collect data, identify stationary and moving objects, and perform systematic calculations and analysis based on navigation map data. This allows the driver to proactively detect potential dangers, effectively improving driving comfort and safety. Detection devices can be thought of as the "eyes" that perceive the environment. They include vision sensors such as cameras and radar sensors such as millimeter-wave radar, lidar, and ultrasonic radar.

[0004] Lidar (light detection and ranging) is a key detection device in the field of perception, offering high resolution, excellent detection performance, and strong stealth. The transmitter, a core component of Lidar, transmits the light beam from the light source to the object space to detect the target.

[0005] The transmitter requires a light source to generate a beam. Because the energy of the beam directly emitted by the light source is relatively dispersed, the energy density of the light spot formed during detection is relatively low, affecting the detection performance of the LiDAR, especially its range-finding capability. Some solutions use lenses to shape the light beam generated by the light source to increase the energy density of the light spot. However, the use of optical lenses significantly increases the size of the transmitter, hindering the miniaturization of LiDAR. Furthermore, even after shaping, the energy distribution of the light spot generated by the transmitter is still uneven, affecting detection effectiveness.

[0006] How to increase the energy density of the light spot while reducing the volume of the emitting device is a hot topic currently being studied by those skilled in the art.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] 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 the light spot formed by the emission light beam and improve the device integration.

[0009] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide an optical transmission module, comprising M light sources and a first metalens, where M is an integer greater than 1. The first metalens comprises a metalens configured to process first light beams from the M light sources to obtain a second light beam.

[0010] In the above aspects, the processing of the light beam by the first metalens includes light field manipulation of the first light beam. A light field is a collection of light rays in space, including the positions and angles of the light rays in space. Light field manipulation refers to manipulating the light field of the light beam. Light field manipulation may include one or more of the following: convergence, collimation, divergence, splitting, reflection, refraction, homogenization, or filtering. Alternatively, it may include adjusting one or more of the light beam's properties, including its pointing angle, divergence angle, phase, resonance, polarization, or dispersion.

[0011] The optical emission module of the embodiment of the present application includes multiple light sources. The first light beam formed 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.

[0012] 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. Moreover, the design of multiple light sources can also reduce the difficulty of light field control of the light beam. Especially when the light beam is collimated, homogenized, and the pointing angle is controlled, the light beam formed by multiple light sources can achieve better light field control effects. For example, the first light beam emitted by multiple light sources can be collimated by the first super lens to form a second light beam with a more concentrated power density and the energy distribution in the light spot of the second light beam is more uniform. In the far-field detection scenario (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 improve the detection effect.

[0013] On the other hand, superlenses are optical elements with thicknesses in the nanometer and micrometer ranges that can perform various beam processing functions, such as collimation, homogenization, or pointing angle control. Traditional geometric lenses, on the other hand, are typically millimeter-level thick. Therefore, using superlenses to process beams emitted by multiple light sources can significantly reduce the overall volume of the emitting device and improve device integration while achieving light field control. When this optical emission module is applied to a detection device, it is beneficial to miniaturize the detection device.

[0014] 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).

[0015] 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.

[0016] Among them, the substrate is used to support 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%.

[0017] The nanostructure units may be structures such as nanoprisms, nanocolumns, etc. Furthermore, the nanostructure units may be arranged on the substrate according to a preset first phase.

[0018] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first metalens further includes a second micro-nanostructure layer supported on a substrate, wherein the second micro-nanostructure layer includes a plurality of second nanostructure units. The first micro-nanostructure layer and the second micro-nanostructure layer may have the same light field control function or different light field control functions. For example, the first micro-nanostructure layer and the second micro-nanostructure layer may be used together to collimate a light beam.

[0019] In the above embodiment, the first superlens may include multiple layers of micro-nanostructure layers, which can jointly process the light beam to achieve a more complex and precise light field control effect.

[0020] Optionally, the second micro-nanostructure layer and the first micro-nanostructure layer can be located on the same substrate. For example, the first micro-nanostructure layer and the second micro-nanostructure layer are located on two opposite surfaces of the substrate. In this way, the size of the optical emission module can be further reduced.

[0021] Alternatively, the second micro-nanostructure layer and the first micro-nanostructure layer can be located on different substrates. This design can reduce manufacturing difficulty and lower costs. It should be understood that even if the first micro-nanostructure layer and the second micro-nanostructure layer are located on different substrates, the combined thickness of the multi-layer micro-nanostructure and the multi-layer substrate is still much less than the thickness of an ordinary optical lens, and the overall volume of the optical emission module remains small.

[0022] 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, where the light-emitting region is formed by surrounding the light-emitting surfaces of the M light sources. Exemplarily, the light-emitting region includes the light-emitting surfaces of the M light sources and further includes the gap between two adjacent light sources.

[0023] 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 control 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 control. The above 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, which enables a metalens (including one or more layers of micro-nano structures) to 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 control effects and improving the quality of the light beam generated by the optical emission module.

[0024] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first light beams emitted by the M light sources on the metalens is smaller than the area of ​​the metalens' light-transmitting surface near the first light beams. In other words, the light beams emitted by the M light sources are all received by the metalens. Optionally, the first light beams may be converged before passing through the metalens.

[0025] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first light beam may be incident on the center portion of the metalens while avoiding the edge portion of the first metalens. This prevents light beam distortion at the edge portion, ensures beam shaping quality, and improves the usability of the light beam generated by the optical emission module.

[0026] 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 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 beams do not need to approach the edge of the metalens, thereby avoiding beam distortion.

[0027] Optionally, the above embodiment is applied when the emitted light beam has a large field angle.

[0028] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the first metalens is used to collimate the first light beam. Furthermore, the second light beam forms M light spots in angular space, and the arrangement of the M light spots is centrally symmetrical with the arrangement of the M light sources in the optical emission unit.

[0029] 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 control the pointing angle of the light beam of the light source, thereby realizing a variety of pointing angle designs and improving the usability of the light beam. Furthermore, the first metalens 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, allowing the second light beam to accurately detect a specific area and achieve good range-finding effect.

[0030] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, the geometric centers of the M light sources are offset from 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.

[0031] In some solutions, the geometric center of the light source is misaligned with the geometric center of the 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 metalens, so that the second light beam can point to different angles after passing through the first metalens.

[0032] 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 uniform effect in the angular space, filling the energy gap between the light sources, improving the uniformity of the energy distribution, and improving the detection performance.

[0033] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a transmitting device, which includes N optical transmitting modules as described in any one of the first aspects, where N is an integer greater than 0.

[0034] The N-group optical lens group can further process the light beam processed by the super lens, so that the emitted light beam can better meet the needs of users.

[0035] Optionally, the optical lens group may include one or more lenses.

[0036] Exemplarily, the optical lens group may include a lens, which can be used to process the light beams generated by N optical emission modules, or, when N>1, the optical lens group can be used to process the light beams generated by some of the N optical emission modules.

[0037] As another example, the optical lens assembly may include multiple lenses, which 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.

[0038] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, the optical lens assembly includes a first optical lens. The first optical lens is configured to collimate the light beams from the N optical emission modules in a first direction to produce a linear light beam. This produces a linear light spot with a high energy density and a relatively uniform energy distribution within the linear light spot, thereby improving long-range detection performance.

[0039] In another possible implementation 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;

[0040] 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 metalens.

[0041] 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 uniformly folded outward, thereby realizing the control of the pointing angle of the light beam.

[0042] In yet another possible implementation of the second aspect, N>1, and the directions in which the geometric centers of multiple optical emission modules among the N optical emission modules are offset include at least two offset directions. The direction in which the geometric center of each of the multiple optical emission modules is offset is the direction in which the geometric centers of the M light sources in each optical reflection module are offset relative to the geometric center of the first metalens.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, there is a misalignment between the metalens and the centers of the multiple light sources, and the misalignment can occur in a variety of ways. This can homogenize the light beams emitted by the multiple optical emission modules, reduce the energy gap between the emitted light beams, improve the uniformity of energy distribution, and thus enhance detection performance.

[0044] In addition, among the N light source emission modules, some optical emission modules may have a geometric center offset value greater than 0. Alternatively, the geometric center offset value of each optical emission module among the N optical emission modules may be greater than 0.

[0045] 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 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;

[0046] 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.

[0047] The above embodiment provides a staggered arrangement, wherein N optical emission modules are divided into a plurality of unit groups, and the optical emission modules within each unit group are staggered in the same direction. Within the plurality of unit groups, there are two adjacent unit groups, and the geometric centers of the optical emission modules are offset in different directions.

[0048] In one possible implementation, N optical emission modules are organized into a grid (i.e., one unit group forms a grid). Each grid can contain multiple optical emission modules. The optical emission modules within each grid have the same offset direction, and within the multiple grids, there is a group of adjacent optical emission modules with different offset directions. Furthermore, the offset patterns of the optical emission modules in any two adjacent grids are different.

[0049] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, N>1, the 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;

[0050] The emitting device further includes L second super lenses, which correspond one-to-one to the L unit groups. The L second super lenses are used to respectively adjust the pointing angles of the light beams emitted by the L unit groups.

[0051] The above provides an implementation method for controlling the pointing angle. N optical emission modules are divided into multiple unit groups. The misalignment direction (i.e., the direction of the geometric center offset) of the optical emission modules within each unit group is the same. A second metalens is provided outside the optical emission module to control the pointing angle of the light beam generated by one or more unit groups. This allows the pointing angle of the light beam to be flexibly controlled, which is beneficial to improving the detection quality.

[0052] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, each of the L second superlenses includes a substrate and a third micro-nanostructure layer supported on the substrate, wherein the third micro-nanostructure layer includes a plurality of third nanostructure units. Using the superlenses to achieve pointing angle control can further improve the device integration of the transmitting device.

[0053] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a detection device comprising the transmitting device and a detector as described in any one of the second aspects. The transmitting device is configured to transmit a light beam toward an object space, and the detector is configured to receive a return light beam from the object space, the return light beam comprising an echo corresponding to the transmitted light beam.

[0054] 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.

[0055] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a terminal, which 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.

[0056] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the terminal is a vehicle, a drone, or a robot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] The following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for describing the embodiments.

[0058] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a detection device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical emission module provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a metalens provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of two nanostructure units provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of another first metalens provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of another first metalens provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG7 is a schematic diagram showing the dimensions of the surface and light-emitting area of ​​a possible metalens provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the area of ​​a beam cross section provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG9 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;

[0067] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of two geometric center offsets provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the distribution of a light spot in angular space provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of several light source arrangements provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a transmitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG14 is a top view of another launching device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the brightness of a light beam in angular space provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG16 is a schematic structural diagram of a transmitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG17 is a schematic diagram of brightness of another light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG18 is a schematic diagram of a plurality of optical emission modules included in an emission device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG19 is a schematic diagram of brightness of another light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG20 is a schematic diagram of an offset direction provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG21 is a schematic diagram of an offset provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG22 is a schematic diagram of brightness of another light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG23 is a top view of another launching device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG24 is a top view of another launching device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG25 is a schematic diagram of the directional angle control effect of a super lens antenna structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG26 is a schematic diagram of another possible pointing angle provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] Figure 27 is a top view of another launching device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] In recent years, intelligent driving technology has become increasingly indispensable in the vehicle driving process and a key technology in the development of vehicle intelligence. In intelligent driving technology, the sensing layer is likened to the "eyes" of the car. This layer includes sensors such as on-board millimeter-wave radar, on-board lidar, and on-board ultrasonic radar. Lidar, due to its high resolution, excellent concealment, and precise ranging, has become an indispensable sensor in intelligent driving technology.

[0086] One of the key development directions for LiDAR is high device integration and multi-channel transmission. Because LiDAR requires both transmitting and receiving light beams, beam processing is typically accomplished using geometric lenses. However, the large size of geometric lenses makes it difficult to reduce the size of LiDAR. For example, the transmitting optical system of LiDAR typically consists of a light source, a geometric lens, and a lens barrel. The light source and lens are relatively far apart and relatively independent, resulting in a bulky transmitting optical system and hindering the miniaturization of LiDAR.

[0087] 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 the embodiments of the present application, the energy density of the light spot formed by the emission light beam can be increased, thereby improving the integration of the device. It should be understood that the detection device in the present application can be a lidar or other device that requires the emission of a light beam, for example, a fusion sensing device that combines laser detection and camera functions.

[0088] The following first introduces the detection device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a detection device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The detection device 10 includes an emitting device 20 and a detector 30 , wherein the solid line with an arrow represents the direction of light propagation.

[0089] Among them, the emitting 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 emitting device 20 can 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. Furthermore, the laser can be, for example, a vertical surface emitting laser or an edge emitting laser (EEL). 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 (VCSEL), a photonic crystal surface emitting semiconductor lasers (PCSEL), a horizontal cavity surface emitting laser (HCSEL), a fiber laser, etc. An edge-emitting laser refers to a laser that emits light through a side surface. In other words, an edge-emitting laser refers to a laser whose light-emitting surface is 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 silicon photonic chips. Furthermore, some possible implementations of the emitting device 20 are introduced below. For example, the emitting device 20 can be the emitting device shown in the embodiments of Figures 13, 14, 16, 18, 23, 24, and 27.

[0090] The detector 30 is used to receive a light beam from the object space. In most scenarios, the light beam from the object space contains an 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 target's distance, position, angle, color, reflectivity, or speed. 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.

[0091] The optical emission module provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below. Optionally, the optical emission module can be included in the emission device described in FIG1 .

[0092] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of an optical emission module provided in an embodiment of the present application. The optical emission module 40 includes multiple 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.

[0093] The light source 60 is used to generate a light beam. For ease of distinction, the light beams generated by the M light sources 60 are referred to herein as the first light beam. The light source 60 can be a VCSEL, PCSEL, or EEL, among others. Optionally, one light source 60 is an optical aperture (OA). Taking a VCSEL as an example, one light source (i.e., OA) can be a VCSEL light-emitting diode. Because the optical emission module 40 includes multiple light sources, the multiple light sources can be arranged in a flexible layout, facilitating flexible adjustment of the light spot distribution in angular space. For example, the multiple light sources shown in FIG2 can be arranged in multiple rows with staggered rows. This can reduce the spacing between the light sources and thus the gaps between the formed light spots, resulting in a more uniform distribution of the light spots in angular space. Furthermore, the light beams emitted by the multiple light sources provide more wiggle room for light field manipulation. Furthermore, the multiple light sources can be packaged to form a three-dimensional plate-like structure. For example, the multiple light sources shown in FIG2 are integrated into a substrate to form a light source array. Of course, the substrate where the light sources reside is typically made of a different material than the substrate in the subsequent metalens.

[0094] 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. 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 controlling the light field of the light beam. Light field control can include one or more of the following processing: convergence, collimation, divergence, splitting, reflection, refraction, homogenization, or filtering, or it can 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.

[0095] The first superlens 50 may specifically include one or more superlenses. The superlens includes nanostructure units arranged in a certain manner, and the overall volume is relatively small. Please refer to Figure 3, which is a structural schematic diagram of a superlens provided in an embodiment of the present application. The superlens includes a substrate 501 and a first micro-nanostructure layer 502 carried on the substrate 501, and the first micro-nanostructure layer includes multiple first nanostructure units. Among them, the substrate 501 is used to carry the micro-nanostructure layer and is usually made of a translucent material, such as glass or crystal. In some scenarios, the substrate is a highly translucent material, thereby reducing the energy loss of the light beam. Exemplarily, the transmittance of the highly translucent material is higher than a first threshold value, and the first threshold value can be predefined (for example, industry regulations) or pre-set. For example, the highly translucent material can be a material with a transmittance higher than 99%, or the highly translucent material can be a material with a transmittance higher than 90%.

[0096] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a schematic diagram of two nanostructure units provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first nanostructure unit can be a nanocylinder 501a shown in part (a) of Figure 4, or a nanoprism 501b shown in part (b) of Figure 4. Of course, during the specific implementation, the nanostructure units can be designed into other shapes to meet the requirements of the beam processing effect. Furthermore, the nanostructure units can be arranged on the substrate according to a predetermined phase.

[0097] In summary, in the optical transmission module 40 shown in FIG2 , the first metalens 50 and the plurality of light sources 60 form a "one-to-many" structure. A first light beam generated by the plurality of light sources is processed by the first metalens to form a second light beam. The second light beam can be used for various functions, such as ranging and mapping. For example, the optical transmission module 40 can be included in the transmission device 20 of the detection device 10 shown in FIG1 .

[0098] Consider a possible scenario where 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 beam, while the energy at the edge is lower. When the light beam from 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 into space and poor detection effect. If the light beam from a single light source is collimated, the uniformity of the energy distribution of the light spot will decrease. In addition, the operational space for light field control of the light beam generated by a single light source is relatively small, especially in terms of collimation, pointing angle control, homogenization effect, staggered arrangement of light spots, etc., which makes it difficult to meet user needs.

[0099] According to the embodiments of the present application, on the one hand, the power of the light beam emitted by the multiple light sources is the sum 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 regions with relatively high energy (referred to as high-energy regions) in the light beam, and the light spot array corresponding to the multiple high-energy regions 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 the multiple light sources can also reduce the difficulty of controlling the light field of the light beam. In particular, when the light beam is collimated, homogenized, and directed at an 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 metalens, 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 scene (for example, >100 meters), the second light beam can still maintain a large power and a more uniform light spot at a long distance, which can significantly improve the detection effect.

[0100] On the other hand, using a metalens to process the light beam emitted by the light source can significantly reduce the overall size of the emission device and improve the device integration while achieving light field control. When this optical emission module is applied to a detection device, it is conducive to the miniaturization of the detection device.

[0101] It should be noted that the XYZ coordinate axes shown in FIG1 are for the purpose of introducing the optical emission module from multiple angles later. The design of the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis is an exemplary case and is not intended to limit the specific implementation method.

[0102] The structural design of the first metalens is described below. It should be understood that the various possible designs described below can also be combined.

[0103] In one possible design, the first superlens may further include a protective layer. Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic structural diagram of another first superlens provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first superlens 50 includes a substrate 501, a first micro-nanostructure layer 502, and a first protective layer 503. 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-nanostructure layer 502 is accommodated in the cavity. On the one hand, the cavity structure can improve the reliability of the micro-nanostructure layer, which is beneficial to ensuring the quality of the emitted light beam; on the other hand, the cavity structure can ensure the effective refractive index of the micro-nanostructure, which is beneficial to reducing the difficulty of processing.

[0104] 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.

[0105] In another possible design, the first superlens 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 relationship of front and back group arrangement), for example, to jointly process the first light beam. Exemplarily, the first superlens may include multiple layers of structures as shown in Figures 3 or 5. Optionally, in the case where the first superlens includes multiple micro-nanostructure layers, the multiple micro-nanostructure layers may have the same light field control effect, or may have different light field control effects. For example, the first micro-nanostructure layer and the second micro-nanostructure layer can be used together for light beam collimation.

[0106] 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 being as described above, the second micro-nanostructure layer including a plurality of second nanostructure units, the second nanostructure unit also being 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 may 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.

[0107] Furthermore, the second micro-nanostructure layer may also be supported on a substrate. For example, the second micro-nanostructure layer and the first micro-nanostructure layer may be located on the same substrate.

[0108] Exemplarily, the first micro-nanostructure layer and the second micro-nanostructure layer are located on two opposite surfaces of the substrate, which can further reduce the size of the optical emission module. Figure 6 shows a structural schematic diagram of another first superlens provided in an embodiment of the present application, in which the first superlens 50 comprises a substrate 501, a first micro-nanostructure layer 502, a second micro-nanostructure layer 504, a first protective layer 503 and a second protective layer 505. Among them, the substrate 501 has two opposite grooves, which form cavities with the two protective layers respectively, and the first micro-nanostructure layer and the second micro-nanostructure layer are respectively arranged in the two cavities. Of course, the structure with a protective layer shown in Figure 5 is taken as an example here, and the multi-layer micro-nanostructure layer without a protective layer and a cavity is also used.

[0109] For another example, the second micro-nanostructure layer and the first micro-nanostructure layer can be located on different substrates. This design can reduce manufacturing difficulty and reduce costs. For example, the first metalens can have multiple structures similar to those shown in Figures 5 or 6.

[0110] The size design of the first metalens is described below.

[0111] In one possible design, the cross-sectional area of ​​the light-transmitting surface of the first metalens is larger than the area of ​​the luminous region, and the luminous region is the region formed by the luminous surfaces of the M light sources. The light-transmitting surface of the metalens refers to the surface on which the first light beam passes through the metalens. Furthermore, the light-transmitting surface here refers to the light-transmitting surface close to the first light beam. Optionally, in conjunction with Figures 3 and 5, the light-transmitting surface of the first metalens may include the paving area of ​​the first micro-nanostructure layer. For example, in conjunction with Figure 6, the light-transmitting surface of the first metalens may include the overlapping area between the paving area of ​​the first micro-nanostructure layer and the paving area of ​​the second micro-nanostructure layer. The luminous region is the region formed by the luminous surfaces surrounding the M light sources. Taking the M light sources as M VCSEL light-emitting tubes as an example, the luminous surface of the VCSEL light-emitting tube is the cross-section of the aperture of the light output. Exemplarily, the luminous region includes the luminous surfaces of the M light sources, and further includes the gap between two adjacent light sources.

[0112] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a 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. As shown in part (a) of Figure 7, area 701 is the area formed by the light-emitting surface of M light sources 60, which includes the area of ​​the light-emitting hole of the light source and the gap between the two light sources. As shown in part (b) of Figure 7, area 702 is the area of ​​the light-transmitting surface of the metalens, wherein the area of ​​area 702 is larger than the area of ​​area 701. In conjunction with the optical emission module shown in Figure 2, the light beam propagates in the direction of the XY plane. Without considering the deflection of the light path, the area shown in Figure 7 is the area of ​​the XY plane under the perspective of the XY plane.

[0113] In another possible design, 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. In other words, the light beams emitted by the M light sources are all included in the metalens. Please refer to Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of the area of ​​a beam cross section provided in an embodiment of the present application. Part (a) shown in Figure 8 is the light-emitting surface of the M light sources 60. Since the metalens may be a certain distance away 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 beam can be shown in part (b) of Figure 8, and the area of ​​the cross section of the light beam can be shown in part (c) of Figure (8), for example, it can be represented as area 801. Among them, the area of ​​area 801 can be larger than the area of ​​area 702. In this way, the first light beams emitted by the M light sources can all pass through the metalens in the first metalens and be regulated as a whole. It should be understood that the cross section of the light beam shown in Figure 7 is only an example. In the specific implementation process, the cross section of the light beam corresponding to each light source can be larger or smaller, which will not be explained here one by one.

[0114] 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.

[0115] In one possible implementation, the first light beam can be incident on the center portion of the metalens while avoiding the edge portion of the first metalens. This prevents light beam distortion at the edge portion, ensures the quality of light beam shaping, and improves the usability of the light beam generated by the optical emission module.

[0116] Exemplarily, the first light beams emitted by 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 metalens is greater than a first threshold value, and the value of the first threshold value is greater than 0. Please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of the position between a light-transmitting surface and the 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 part 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. Furthermore, d1 may be greater than a pre-designed first threshold value, for example, the first threshold value may be 5 nanometers, or 10 microns, etc.

[0117] Optionally, the above embodiment is applied when the emitted light beam has a large field of view. For example, the field of view angle is greater than a first angle threshold. For example, the first angle threshold is greater than 60°, or the first angle threshold is greater than 120°. The field of view angle can be the angle formed by the two edges of the maximum range of the light beam that can pass through the lens (or lens). The larger the field of view angle, the larger the field of view.

[0118] 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. For example, continuing with Figure 9 as an 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. That is to say, in the direction of the pointing angle adjustment, the first light beam should avoid approaching the edge of the metalens. Furthermore, d2 can be greater than a pre-designed second threshold, for example, the second threshold can be 5 nanometers, or 10 microns, etc.

[0119] Of course, if 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. In this case, the first light beam is at a certain distance from the edge of the metalens in each of the multiple sub-directions.

[0120] As mentioned above, the first metalens is used to process the first light beam from M light sources to obtain the second light beam. The processing of the light beam by the first light source includes light field manipulation 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 manipulation refers to the manipulation of the light field of the light beam. Light field manipulation can include one or more of the following processing: convergence, collimation, divergence, splitting, reflection, refraction, homogenization, or filtering, or it can 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.

[0121] The following is an exemplary introduction to the processing of the first light beam by the first super lens.

[0122] In one possible design, the first metalens is used to collimate the first light beam. Furthermore, the second light beam forms M light spots in angular space, and the arrangement of the M light spots is symmetrical with the arrangement of the M light sources in the optical emission unit.

[0123] In a possible design, a pointing angle of the second light beam is different from a pointing angle of the first light beam.

[0124] It should be understood that the first metalens can simultaneously perform multiple different types of light field manipulation on a light beam. For example, the first metalens is used to collimate and control the pointing angle of the first light beam to produce a second light beam, thereby increasing the energy density of the light beam while propagating the second light beam to a specified pointing angle, allowing the second light beam to accurately detect a specific area and achieve good range-finding performance.

[0125] In one possible design, the control of the pointing angle can be achieved by the position offset between the geometric center of the light source and the geometric center of the first metalens. In other words, the geometric center of the M light sources may be offset from the geometric center of the first metalens. Please refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of two geometric center offsets provided in an embodiment of the present application. In part (a) of Figure 10, the geometric center of the M light sources may be point P, point P is the central symmetric point of the M light sources, point Q is the geometric center of the first metalens, and the distance between PQ is the offset between the geometric center of the M light sources and the geometric center of the first metalens, for example, it can be expressed as d3. Optionally, d3 ≥ 0.

[0126] In part (b) of Figure 10 , point P is located on the axis of symmetry of the M light sources, or in other words, at the midpoint of the first row of optical elements. Point Q is the geometric center of the first metalens. The distance between P and Q is the offset between the geometric centers of the M light sources and the first metalens, which can be expressed as d4, for example. Optionally, d4 ≥ 0.

[0127] Optionally, the geometric center offset of the optical emission module can be specifically an offset along the viewing angle of the main optical axis of the light beam, that is, an offset on the XY plane in Figure 10. At this time, the light beams emitted by the M light sources propagate along the direction passing through the XY plane (such as the Z-axis direction, that is, the direction perpendicular to the XY plane).

[0128] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the distribution of a light spot in 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 principal optical axis of the light beam emitted by the light source can be offset from the principal optical axis of the first metalens. Through the collimation effect of the first metalens, the light spot is formed in the right part of the angular space. That is, after passing through the first metalens, the second light beam can be directed to different angles.

[0129] 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 uniform effect in the angular space.

[0130] 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 symmetry point or an axis of symmetry.

[0131] The following describes possible arrangements of the M light sources.

[0132] Please refer to Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of several light source arrangements provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in part (a) of Figure 12, the number of light sources can be 2, and the two light sources can be arranged in a row in a certain direction, for example, in the y-axis direction. As shown in part (b) of Figure 12, 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. As shown in part (c) of Figure 12, the number of light sources can be 8, forming two staggered rows, with 4 light sources in each row. As shown in part (d) of Figure 12, the number of light sources can be 12, forming three staggered rows, with 4 light sources in each row. As shown in part (e) of Figure 12, the number of light sources can be 21, arranged to obtain three columns, with 7 light sources in each column.

[0133] The following describes the transmitting device provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0134] The present application provides a transmitting device that includes one or more of the aforementioned optical transmitting modules, such as the optical transmitting module shown in FIG. 2 and the optical transmitting modules described in its possible designs. For ease of description, the number of optical transmitting modules included in the transmitting device is represented as N below, where N is an integer greater than 0.

[0135] Please refer to Figure 13, which is a structural schematic diagram of an emitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The emitting module includes a plurality of optical emitting modules, and the optical emitting 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 plurality of emitting optical emitting modules are arranged in an array as a whole to form a light source array; the super lenses in the plurality of emitting optical emitting modules are arranged in an array to form a super lens group array. Optionally, in each optical emitting 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. As shown in Figure 14, this 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 the light source OA is 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 8 light sources OA.

[0136] Optionally, a super lens group is used to collimate and shape the light beams emitted by the corresponding several light sources. After the super lens group collimates and shapes, the several light sources will show multiple light spots in the far-field angular space. As shown in Figure 15, a schematic diagram of the brightness of a light beam in angular space provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. It can be seen that the arrangement of the light spots is centrally symmetrical with the arrangement of several light sources in the optical emission module. In this way, the light beam is processed by the super lens, which greatly reduces the volume of the emitting 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 perform light field control on the light beams emitted by multiple light sources, greatly reducing the difficulty of beam shaping and improving the operational space of light field control.

[0137] In a possible embodiment, the emitting device may further include an optical lens group, which is used to process the light beams generated by one or more optical emission 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 one lens, which may be used to process the light beams generated by N optical emission modules, or, when N>1, the optical lens group may be used to process the light beams generated by some of the N optical emission modules. More exemplarily, the optical lens group may include multiple lenses, and the multiple lenses may include multiple lenses arranged front to 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 emission module.

[0138] Please refer to Figure 16, which is a structural schematic diagram of an emitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The emitting 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 emission 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 Figure 17, which is a schematic diagram of the brightness of another light beam in angular space provided in an embodiment of the present application. The distribution of the energy of its light spot in angular space changes from a discrete point type to a continuous line type. The energy density of the light spot is high and the energy distribution within the line spot is relatively uniform.

[0139] Optionally, in the case where 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.

[0140] In one possible embodiment, 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 between the geometric centers of the M light sources in the optical emission module and the geometric center of the first metalens (referred to as the offset).

[0141] As shown in Figure 18, a schematic diagram of multiple optical emission modules included in an emission device provided in an embodiment of the present application, the five optical emission modules shown in Figure 18 are included in the emission device, which belong to a row or part of the optical emission modules in a row in the emission device. In Figure 18, there is an offset (referred to as geometric center offset) between the light source in each optical emission module and the geometric center of the first metalens, and the geometric center offsets of multiple optical emission modules present a regular pattern. One possible pattern 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 changes in a certain direction (for example, to the right as shown in Figure 18). Furthermore, 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 absolutely the same, and it is necessary to consider the errors caused by the manufacturing process and measurement errors.

[0142] As a possible implementation, the light beam can be directed at different angles by offsetting the geometric center of the light source from the geometric center of the first metalens. Thus, by adjusting the relative position of the light source OA and the geometric center of the metalens, the pointing angle can be controlled while achieving collimation.

[0143] Please refer to Figure 19, which is a schematic diagram of the brightness of another light beam in angular space provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 19 respectively shows the energy distribution of the light spots formed by the multiple optical emission modules shown in Figure 18 in the angular space. In conjunction with Figure 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 in the embodiment shown in Figure 19, the light source collimation and pointing angle control are simultaneously achieved by the super lens. 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 microscale.

[0144] In addition, in FIG18 , the light sources in adjacent optical emission modules are staggered. For example, the centers of a light source OA in the second column of the first optical emission module (referred to as OA1 for ease of description) and two light sources OA in the first column of the second optical emission module (referred to as OA2 and OA3 for ease of description) are misaligned, that is, in the lateral direction, the center of OA1 is located in the gap between OA2 and OA3. In conjunction with FIG18 and FIG19 , the ranges of the pointing angles of the light beams emitted by adjacent optical emission modules also overlap. In this way, by staggering the light source arrangement and overlapping the ranges of the pointing angles, the light spots of the emitted light beams can be densely packed, further filling the energy distribution gaps of the light spots formed by the light sources and improving the detection performance.

[0145] In one possible embodiment, the geometric center offsets of multiple optical emission modules among the N (N>1) optical emission modules in the emission device include at least two offset directions, wherein the geometric center offsets are the directions of the offsets of the geometric centers 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 centers of the first metalens and the multiple light sources, and the misalignment can occur in a variety of ways. This allows the light beams emitted by the multiple optical emission modules to be homogenized, reducing the energy gap between the emitted light beams.

[0146] Please refer to Figure 20, which is a schematic diagram of an offset direction provided in an embodiment of the present application. 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 toward the upper right corner relative to the geometric center of the first metalens, that is, when the offset direction is upper right, a "right upper misalignment" design is formed. Exemplary offset directions include but are not limited to up, down, left, right, upper left, upper right, lower left, or lower right. 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.

[0147] In one possible embodiment, the offset directions between two adjacent optical emission modules are different. Furthermore, for a plurality of optical emission modules arranged in an array, the offset directions between adjacent optical emission modules in the row direction and the column direction are different. Please refer to Figure 21, which is a schematic diagram of an offset provided in an embodiment of the present application. The emitting device may include 9 optical emission modules of 3*3, wherein any two of the 9 optical emission modules differ in whether they are offset or in the offset direction. For example, the optical emission module in the middle is not offset, while the remaining 8 optical emission modules are all offset and have different offset directions. Please refer to Figure 22, which 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.

[0148] In another possible embodiment, N optical emission modules are arranged in an array, and the N optical emission modules are contained in L unit groups, each of the L unit groups contains K optical emission modules, where K and L are both integers greater than 0. The geometric centers of the optical emission modules in each unit group are offset in the same direction, and the geometric centers of the optical emission modules in two adjacent unit groups among the L unit groups are offset in different directions.

[0149] Please refer to Figure 23, which 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 optical transmitting modules of unit group 1 are all offset in the upper left direction. None of the optical transmitting modules in unit group 2 are offset, or their offset directions are considered to be zero directions (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 directions. 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 , cell group 1 is adjacent to cell group 3 , but the offset directions of cell group 1 and cell group 3 are different.

[0150] Furthermore, any two adjacent unit groups among the L unit groups have different offset directions, as shown in FIG23 .

[0151] Optionally, the number of optical emission modules included in each of the L unit groups may also be different. Taking FIG23 as an example, unit group 1 or unit group 2 may also be designed to include more or fewer optical emission modules.

[0152] In another possible implementation, N optical emission modules are gridded (i.e., one unit group is a grid), each grid can contain multiple optical emission modules, the optical emission modules within each grid have the same offset direction, and at least one set of adjacent grids in the multiple grids has different offset directions. Optionally, each grid can contain the same optical emission module. Further, optionally, the optical emission modules in any two adjacent grids have different offset directions.

[0153] In conjunction with FIG21 , there can be at least one grid in the grid, which is referred to as the center grid for ease of description. The geometric center of the light source in the optical emission module in this center grid is not offset from the geometric center of the metalens. In the grids surrounding this center 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 center grid. For example, if a grid is located to the left of the center grid, the geometric center of the light source in the optical emission module in this grid is offset from the geometric center of the metalens, and the offset direction is to the left.

[0154] Optionally, the surrounding here can be one row (or column) or multiple rows (or columns) outward from the center of the grid. Furthermore, multiple optical emission modules in the same grid are offset in the same direction but can be offset by different distances, and the offset distance can be related to the distance between the optical emission module and the center grid.

[0155] In a possible implementation, 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;

[0156] 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 dislocation 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 angles of the light beams generated by one or more unit groups. In this way, the pointing angles of the light beams can be flexibly adjusted, which is beneficial to improving the detection quality.

[0157] Please refer to Figure 24, which is a top view of another transmitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Among them, the transmitting device may include 3 unit groups (i.e., the unit array shown in Figure 24) and 3 super lens antenna structures (regarded as a second super lens), and each unit group includes one or more optical transmitting modules. Each super lens antenna structure is used to control the pointing angle of the light beam of a unit group. As shown in Figure 25, which is a schematic diagram of the pointing 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 may have overlapping angle ranges in the pointing angle range to avoid the formed light spot having an energy gap.

[0158] In short, through the second super lens, the pointing angle of the light beam of the optical emission module can be flexibly adjusted to achieve a variety of pointing angle arrangement designs. Please refer to Figure 26, which is another possible pointing angle schematic diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application. The emitting device includes multiple optical emission modules arranged in an array, each belonging to 9 unit groups of 3*3. 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 pointing angles of the remaining unit groups are shown in Figure 26. It can be seen that the pointing angle of each unit group can be flexibly adjusted and is not limited by the position of the unit group. When the user needs light beams with different pointing angles, there is no need to limit the arrangement of the light source. The light sources arranged at any position can flexibly adjust their pointing angles, which significantly improves the operability space of light field control.

[0159] In one possible embodiment, N is greater than 1, and the emitting device includes multiple emitting optical emission modules. The light-transmitting surface area of ​​each emitting optical emission module's metalens is larger than the light-emitting areas of the multiple light sources. Furthermore, in each optical emission module, the light beams generated by the multiple light sources can be incident on the center portion of the metalens while avoiding approaching the edge portion of the first metalens.

[0160] Please refer to Figure 27, which is a top view of another transmitting device provided in an embodiment of the present application. Taking the transmitting device as an example, which includes 3 optical transmitting modules, the 3 optical transmitting modules respectively include 3 super lens groups, and each super lens group is used to control the pointing angle of the light beams emitted by 3 columns of light sources (21 light sources) to form 3 groups of light beams, each group of light beams contains seven transverse light beams, and the pointing angles of the 3 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 ultimately realizes the emission of a large field angle by splicing the field angles, and realizes small distortion or no distortion between the overall light beams. Of course, the designs of 3 optical transmitting modules, 3 angle ranges, 21 light sources, etc. here are only examples. In the specific implementation process, the range of the large field angle and the number of optical transmitting modules for dividing the area can be customized according to specific needs.

[0161] The embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal, which includes the aforementioned transmitting device and / or detecting device. Optionally, the terminal can be an intelligent terminal or transportation tool such as a vehicle, a drone, or a robot.

[0162] In the description of this application, the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and 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. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on this application.

[0163] In addition, the Cartesian coordinate system and the x, y, and z directions shown in the various embodiments of this application are illustrative designations for ease of understanding and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. During implementation, the placement of components, the arrangement direction, and the direction of the light beam may be designed in other ways, and the coordinate system may also use other coordinate systems such as a spherical coordinate system.

[0164] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0165] The “at least one” mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to one or more, and “plurality” refers to two or more. “At least one of the following items” 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 represent: 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 represent: 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 previous and next associated objects are in an “or” relationship.

[0166] Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not intended to limit the order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first and second metalens are merely for ease of description and do not indicate differences in material, structure, arrangement order, or importance between the first and second metalens.

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 modules 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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