LIDAR Mirror Polarizing Beam Splitter for Return Light Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems suffer from inefficiencies due to some return light passing through openings in mirrors instead of being reflected to detectors, leading to lost information.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a polarizing beam splitter in the mirror's opening to reflect back return light of specific polarization states, while allowing emitted light to pass through, and potentially reducing the opening size to minimize light loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an opening is provided in the mirror to allow emitted light to pass through, then the emitted light can reach the environment, but some return light passes through the opening instead of being reflected to the detector
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the mirror by incorporating a polarizing beam splitter coating that differentiates between s-polarized and p-polarized light. This allows the system to transmit emitted light while reflecting return light based on polarization state, resolving the contradiction between allowing light transmission and preventing light loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the mirror surface. The polarizing beam splitter coating is applied selectively to create regions with different reflectivity characteristics for different polarization states, enabling the mirror to simultaneously transmit emitted light and reflect return light
2Loss of energy
If the opening size is reduced to minimize light loss, then return light capture improves, but emitted light transmission may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the physical size parameter of the opening, the patent changes the optical parameter by introducing polarization-dependent reflectivity. This allows the same opening size to simultaneously achieve high transmission for emitted light and high reflection for return light, resolving the size-related contradiction
3Measurement precision
If a polarizing beam splitter is added to reflect return light, then return light capture efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the polarizing beam splitter functionality directly into the mirror structure by applying the coating to the mirror surface. This integration combines multiple functions (reflection, transmission, polarization separation) into a single component, improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity
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
Enhances LIDAR return light capture efficiency by reflecting more light towards detectors, thereby improving data processing and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a polarizing beam splitter may be disposed of within the opening of the mirror. The polarizing beam splitter may be configured to reflect towards the detector at least a portion of the return light
Implementation Method 2
the polarizing beam splitter may serve to reflect towards the detector at least a portion of the return light that would otherwise pass through the opening
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods for improved LIDAR return light capture efficiency. One example method may include emitting, by an emitter, a first light pulse in a first path. The example method may also include transmitting, by a polarizing beam splitter in the first path and aligned with an aperture of a reflective element, a portion of the first light pulse, wherein the reflective element is disposed of in the first path. The example method may also include reflecting, by a reflective surface of the reflective element, a second light pulse in a second path, the second light pulse including a return pulse based on the first light pulse being reflected from an object. The example method may also include detecting, by a detector, the detector disposed in the second path of the second light pulse.