Anamorphic Beam Shaping for MEMS LiDAR Angular Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scanning LiDAR systems face challenges in achieving high angular resolution due to the mismatch between the beam dimensions of high-power lasers and the dimensions of MEMS mirrors, leading to poor beam alignment and divergence issues.
Innovation Solution
Anamorphic beam transformation is applied to adjust the aspect ratio of laser beams, minimizing divergence along the scanning axis while expanding dimensions perpendicularly, allowing for refocusing to match the dimensions of MEMS mirrors and enhancing angular resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If high-power laser beams with large beam dimensions are directly collimated to a small diameter to match the scanner size, then the beam size matches the MEMS mirror dimensions, but the LiDAR angular resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies anamorphic beam transformation that differentially scales the beam dimensions in two orthogonal directions. The first dimension (vertical) is compressed to match the MEMS mirror height, while the second dimension (horizontal) is expanded to maintain adequate beam divergence for angular resolution. This dimensional transformation resolves the contradiction by decoupling the beam size matching requirement from the angular resolution requirement.
2Length of moving object
If the beam diameter is reduced to match smaller MEMS mirror dimensions, then the scanner becomes more mechanically robust and easier to manage, but the beam divergence angle decreases leading to poor angular resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The anamorphic beam transformation creates a beam with asymmetric dimensions where the vertical size matches the compact MEMS mirror while the horizontal size maintains sufficient divergence. This allows the scanner to remain small and mechanically robust while the beam preserves adequate angular resolution through its expanded horizontal dimension.
3Manufacturing precision
If beam shaping is applied to match scanner dimensions, then beam alignment improves, but optical brightness may be compromised due to beam transformation losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical elements (cylindrical lenses, prism arrays, or diffractive optical elements) that transform the beam profile while preserving optical brightness through parameter optimization. These elements are designed to minimize transmission losses and maintain beam intensity distribution, achieving both precise alignment with the scanner and preservation of optical brightness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method improves LiDAR system efficiency and beam quality by maintaining optical brightness and significantly enhancing angular resolution without significant light loss.
Implementation Method 1
A beam shaper is designed to perform an anamorphic transformation on a laser beam collimated by a lens. The anamorphic transformation minimizes a beam divergence along a scanning axis while expanding a dimension of the beam perpendicular to the scanning axis.
Implementation Method 2
A beam shaper is designed to perform an anamorphic transformation on a laser beam collimated by a lens.
Implementation Method 3
The anamorphically altered beam is capable of being refocused to correspond to the dimensions of a scanning device
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, a LiDAR system include a beam shaping component that anamorphically transforms a linear laser beam that has been collimated by a lens. This transformation minimizes the beam's divergence along the scanning axis while concurrently expanding its dimension perpendicularly to that axis. The anamorphically altered beam is capable of being refocused to correspond to the dimensions of a scanning device (for instance, a MEMS mirror) while preserving the LiDAR system's angular resolution.