Waveguide Light Deflection for Narrow LiDAR Beams and Wider Reception
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
LiDAR devices face challenges in achieving both a small divergence angle for light emission and a large effective opening for light reception using the same element, which affects their distance measurement accuracy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A light deflecting device with a plurality of waveguides in a semiconductor layer that emit and receive light, combined with an optical system on a substrate, which converts light into a substantially parallel beam, utilizing a module lens and diffraction grating to control light emission and reception, and potentially an on-chip lens for further beam shaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single element is used for both light emission and reception, then device complexity is reduced, but it becomes difficult to achieve both small divergence angle for emission and large effective opening for reception
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light control function into two separate optical systems: a first optical system for shaping the emission light beam to achieve small divergence angle, and a second optical system for shaping the reception light beam to achieve large effective opening. This segmentation allows each system to be optimized independently for its specific function while using a single integrated element for both emission and reception.
2Productivity
If light is emitted with small divergence angle, then emission efficiency is improved, but the effective opening for receiving reflected light is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs separate optical systems for emission and reception: the first optical system focuses on shaping the emission beam with small divergence angle to improve emission efficiency, while the second optical system independently shapes the reception beam to maximize the effective opening for collecting reflected light, thereby resolving the trade-off between emission efficiency and reception capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different optical characteristics to different functional regions: the emission region utilizes optical elements optimized for beam collimation and small divergence, while the reception region employs optical elements optimized for wide angular acceptance and large effective opening, allowing each region to have the local quality needed for its specific function.
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
This configuration suppresses light spread and enlarges the effective opening for reception, improving the distance measurement accuracy and efficiency of LiDAR devices by maintaining a focused beam while increasing the reception area.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system that is provided on a substrate including the semiconductor layer and converts light deflected and emitted from the plurality of waveguides in the first direction into a light beam substantially parallel to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a module lens and diffraction grating to control light emission and reception
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of waveguides that extends in a first direction in parallel to each other and is provided in a semiconductor layer, and is capable of emitting light to an external space of the semiconductor layer
Data Source
AI summary
A light deflecting device and a distance measuring device in which spread of emission light is suppressed and an effective opening for light reception is enlarged are provided.A light deflecting device including a plurality of waveguides that extends in a first direction in parallel to each other and is provided in a semiconductor layer, and is capable of emitting light to an external space of the semiconductor layer and receiving light from the external space, and an optical system that is provided on a substrate including the semiconductor layer and converts light deflected and emitted from the plurality of waveguides in the first direction into a light beam substantially parallel to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.