A frequency shift light modulator includes a resonator and a diffraction grating including a plurality of grooves arranged in parallel in a displacement direction of the resonator, and the diffraction grating is provided on the resonator. By providing the diffraction grating on the resonator, it is easy to realize miniaturization and increase in accuracy of the frequency shift light modulator. Further, it is easy to realize application to a high frequency region in a MHz band, that is, high frequency modulation. It is possible to efficiently obtain an effect based on a combination of the resonator and the diffraction grating.

A frequency shift light modulator includes a resonator and a diffraction grating including a plurality of grooves arranged in parallel in a displacement direction of the resonator, and the diffraction grating is provided on the resonator. By providing the diffraction grating on the resonator, it is easy to realize miniaturization and increase in accuracy of the frequency shift light modulator. Further, it is easy to realize application to a high frequency region in a MHz band, that is, high frequency modulation. It is possible to efficiently obtain an effect based on a combination of the resonator and the diffraction grating.

Embodiments discussed herein refer to LiDAR systems that use refraction compensation to improve transmission efficiency of light energy through transmissive mediums such as covers. Refraction compensation can be achieved using a cover or an anti-reflective coating.

A LiDAR system includes a light source and an arrayed micro-optic configured to receive light from the light source so as to produce and project a two-dimensional array of light spots on a scene. The LiDAR system also includes receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two-dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics. The LiDAR system further includes a birefringent prism and a lens. The LiDAR system may also include a mask placed in the light path between the birefringent prism and the receiver optics. Alternatively, the LiDAR system may include a controller programmed to activate or deactivate each optical detection site.

A LiDAR system includes a light source and an arrayed micro-optic configured to receive light from the light source so as to produce and project a two-dimensional array of light spots on a scene. The LiDAR system also includes receiver optics having an array of optical detection sites configured so as to be suitable for establishing a one-to-one correspondence between light spots in the two-dimensional array and optical detection sites in the receiver optics. The LiDAR system further includes a birefringent prism and a lens. The LiDAR system may also include a mask placed in the light path between the birefringent prism and the receiver optics. Alternatively, the LiDAR system may include a controller programmed to activate or deactivate each optical detection site.

A LiDAR system for tracking small flying objects. Multitude of individual LiDAR heads are placed on arcuate frames that intersect to define a dome. Each LiDAR head can be independently rotated with six degrees of freedom. Optical data signals are routed from each LiDAR to a central mirror disposed within the dome and then to a spectrometer for data processing. Upon detection of a possible target by one or more of the LiDAR heads, additional LiDAR heads are rotated to also focus on the possible target, thereby enhancing imaging of the target.

A LIDAR apparatus for scanning a scene is provided that includes a transmitter stage, a receiver stage, a beam-steering engine configured to steer the light beam received from the transmitter stage in different directions to scan at least a portion of the scene. The beam-steering engine is responsive to steering commands to produce corresponding deflections of the light beam.

A frequency shift light modulator includes a resonator and a diffraction grating including a plurality of grooves arranged in parallel in a displacement direction of the resonator, and the diffraction grating is provided on the resonator. By providing the diffraction grating on the resonator, it is easy to realize miniaturization and increase in accuracy of the frequency shift light modulator. Further, it is easy to realize application to a high frequency region in a MHz band, that is, high frequency modulation. It is possible to efficiently obtain an effect based on a combination of the resonator and the diffraction grating.

A frequency shift light modulator includes a resonator and a diffraction grating including a plurality of grooves arranged in parallel in a displacement direction of the resonator, and the diffraction grating is provided on the resonator. By providing the diffraction grating on the resonator, it is easy to realize miniaturization and increase in accuracy of the frequency shift light modulator. Further, it is easy to realize application to a high frequency region in a MHz band, that is, high frequency modulation. It is possible to efficiently obtain an effect based on a combination of the resonator and the diffraction grating.

An integrated on-chip polarization rotator splitter (26) comprises a waveguide polarization rotator (54) having a first and a second layer (62) that form a rib waveguide (66) together and are both made of silicon nitride. The first layer (62) has a first, a second and a third section. The first layer (64) has a first width (w.sub.1) that increases in the first section (S1), is constant in the second section (S1) and decreases in the third section (S3). The second layer (64) has a second width (w.sub.2) that continuously increases. The polarization rotator splitter (26) further includes a waveguide polarization splitter (61) comprising a first strip waveguide (71) and a second strip waveguide (72) that are separated by a gap (74). The first and second strip waveguides (71, 72) are also made of silicon nitride. The first and second strip waveguide (71, 72) form an asymmetric evanescent direction coupler.