A vehicle window with an anisotropic light sensor, has a first glass layer and a second glass layer, wherein an arrangement of light-sensitive elements is arranged, substantially parallel to the first glass layer, between the first glass layer and the second glass layer, wherein the pane furthermore has an aperture such that light can shine through the second glass layer and the aperture onto at least one of the light-sensitive elements, wherein, depending on the direction of incident light, the sensor provides a signal that is indicative of the direction, wherein the arrangement of light-sensitive elements has a camera chip and wherein the arrangement of light-sensitive elements is arranged on a flexible film.

An integrated circuit includes a photodetector. The photodetector includes a circular optical grating formed in an annular trench in a semiconductor substrate. The circular optical grating includes dielectric fins and photosensitive fins positioned in the annular trench. The circular optical grating is configured to receive incident light and to direct the incident light around the annular trench through the dielectric fins and the photosensitive fins until the light is absorbed by one of the photosensitive fins.

An integrated circuit includes a photodetector. The photodetector includes a circular optical grating formed in an annular trench in a semiconductor substrate. The circular optical grating includes dielectric fins and photosensitive fins positioned in the annular trench. The circular optical grating is configured to receive incident light and to direct the incident light around the annular trench through the dielectric fins and the photosensitive fins until the light is absorbed by one of the photosensitive fins.

A transceiver assembly for a wireless power transfer system includes a transceiver system comprising a photodiode assembly, a voltage converter and a light emitting diode and a photodiode. The photodiode assembly may be configured to receive a high-power laser beam from a transmitter and to convert the high-power laser beam to electrical energy. The voltage converter may be configured to adjust an input impedance based on a voltage measure of the photodiode assembly so as to maximize power transfer from the photodiode assembly to an energy storage device electrically coupled to the voltage converter. The light emitting diode and the photodiode may be configured to enable free space optical communication with the transmitter. The light emitting diode may emit signals indicating a presence and a location of the transceiver to the transmitter at least when the energy storage device requires a charge.

A photodetector array includes a substrate, and an array of pixels over the substrate. Each pixel includes a set of diffraction gratings directly on a semiconductor photodetector. A pitch of the set of diffraction gratings associated with each pixel in the array of pixels are different to enable each pixel to detect a specific wavelength of light different than other pixels of the array of pixels. An air cavity may be provided in the substrate under the germanium photodetector to improve light absorption. A method of forming the photodetector array is also disclosed.

An optical sensor includes a light source, a light receiver, and a convex portion. The light source emits light to an object. The light receiver receives reflected light of the emitted light reflected by an object and generates a signal showing a light reception result. The convex portion has a height higher than a height of the light source and the light receiver. The convex portion is between the light source and the light receiver to block reflected light from the light receiver when light from the light source is reflected within a range of a predetermined distance from the convex portion. The light receiver outputs a signal to show a light reception result of equal to or less than a threshold amount of light indicating that the reflected light is not received in response to proximity of the object being within a range of a predetermined distance.

A method of coordinating wireless power transfer and data communication between a transmitter and a receiver comprising recognizing at the receiver that an energy store electrically coupled to the receiver requires an electrical charge, emitting from the receiver a beacon signal to the transmitter, the beacon signal including information about the receiver and a state of charge of the energy store, recognizing at the receiver first and second localization signals from the transmitter, establishing low-power and high-power laser beam connections between the receiver and the transmitter in response to the localization signals, and communicating further information via the low-power beam on a periodic basis while optical power is being transferred via the high-power beam. The low-power beam connection includes further information about the receiver and the state of charge of the energy store. Optical power is transferred from the transmitter to the receiver via the high-power beam.

An assembly for optical to electrical power conversion including a photodiode assembly having a substrate layer and an internal side, an antireflective layer, a heterojunction buffer layer adjacent the internal side; an active area positioned adjacent the heterojunction buffer layer, a plurality of n+ electrode regions and p+ electrode regions positioned adjacent the active area, and back-contacts configured to align with the n+ and p+ electrode regions. The active area converts photons from incoming light into liberated electron hole pairs. The heterojunction buffer layer prevents electrons and holes of the liberated electron hole pairs from moving toward the substrate layer. The plurality of electrode regions are configured in an alternating pattern with gaps between each n+ and p+ electrode region. The electrode regions receive and generate electrical current from migration of the electrons and the holes, provide electrical pathways for the electrical current, and provide thermal pathways to dissipate heat.

A method of coordinating wireless power transfer and data communication between a transmitter and a receiver comprising recognizing at the receiver that an energy store electrically coupled to the receiver requires an electrical charge, emitting from the receiver a beacon signal to the transmitter, the beacon signal including information about the receiver and a state of charge of the energy store, recognizing at the receiver first and second localization signals from the transmitter, establishing low-power and high-power laser beam connections between the receiver and the transmitter in response to the localization signals, and communicating further information via the low-power beam on a periodic basis while optical power is being transferred via the high-power beam. The low-power beam connection includes further information about the receiver and the state of charge of the energy store. Optical power is transferred from the transmitter to the receiver via the high-power beam.

An assembly for optical to electrical power conversion including a photodiode assembly having a substrate layer and an internal side, an antireflective layer, a heterojunction buffer layer adjacent the internal side; an active area positioned adjacent the heterojunction buffer layer, a plurality of n+ electrode regions and p+ electrode regions positioned adjacent the active area, and back-contacts configured to align with the n+ and p+ electrode regions. The active area converts photons from incoming light into liberated electron hole pairs. The heterojunction buffer layer prevents electrons and holes of the liberated electron hole pairs from moving toward the substrate layer. The plurality of electrode regions are configured in an alternating pattern with gaps between each n+ and p+ electrode region. The electrode regions receive and generate electrical current from migration of the electrons and the holes, provide electrical pathways for the electrical current, and provide thermal pathways to dissipate heat.