LIDAR Receiver Modulator Using Low Birefringence Materials
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIDAR systems with KDP-based Pockels cells have limited field-of-view due to high optical birefringence, which restricts their usability for short-range applications and are inefficient in terms of power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The use of active materials with minimal birefringence, such as lithium tantalate, potassium tantalate niobate, or lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate, for the electro-optic modulating cell, which reduces interference fringes and allows for a larger field-of-view and lower operating power through a digiscoping configuration and passive phase bias.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional KDP-based Pockels cells are used in LIDAR systems, then the system can operate with established technology, but the field-of-view is limited due to high optical birefringence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the Pockels cell from conventional KDP-based materials to alternative materials with lower birefringence properties. This parameter change directly reduces the harmful optical birefringence effect while expanding the usable field-of-view of the LIDAR system, resolving the contradiction between established technology and expanded viewing area.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If conventional LIDAR systems with high birefringence materials are used, then the system structure is simpler, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the material parameters of the Pockels cell to use materials with lower birefringence, which inherently reduces the voltage required for operation. This parameter change simultaneously reduces power consumption while maintaining or improving the field-of-view, resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and optical performance.
3Area of stationary object
If KDP-based Pockels cells are used, then the system can be manufactured with conventional materials, but interference fringes limit the usable field-of-view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by selecting Pockels cell materials with lower birefringence characteristics. This parameter change reduces the generation of interference fringes, thereby expanding the usable field-of-view without requiring complex additional optical components or systems.
4Reliability
If conventional Pockels cells are used, then the device structure is established and reliable, but the operating power is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the material parameters of the Pockels cell to use alternative materials that require lower operating voltages. This parameter change reduces power consumption while maintaining the structural reliability and operational stability of the established Pockels cell design, resolving the contradiction between reliability and power efficiency.
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
Enables LIDAR systems to achieve high angular resolution and large field-of-view while operating with low power consumption, making them suitable for a wider range of applications including short-range robotics and obstacle detection.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-optic modulating cell, which changes a polarization state of the light signal in response to an applied electric field
Implementation Method 2
active materials with minimal birefringence, such as lithium tantalate, potassium tantalate niobate, or lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate
Data Source
AI summary
A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system with a large field-of-view (FOV) and low operating power includes an intensity modulator, a controller, and one or more camera sensors. The intensity modulator includes a modulating cell that is configured to receive an optical signal and change a polarization state of the optical signal, in response to an electrical signal received from the controller. The modulating cell includes a material that (i) has at least one of a first order electro-optic effect and a second order electro-optic effect and (ii) has an amount of birefringence that is less than or equal to a predefined amount of birefringence. The camera sensor(s) are configured to measure an intensity of the optical signal and determine range information of an object based on the measured intensity.