CPC G01S 7/4817 (2013.01) [G01S 7/4811 (2013.01); G01S 7/4913 (2013.01); G01S 17/34 (2020.01); G01S 17/58 (2013.01); G01S 17/89 (2013.01); G02B 27/283 (2013.01); G02B 27/30 (2013.01)] | 14 Claims |
1. A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) apparatus, comprising:
an optical source configured to emit an optical beam;
a polarization wave plate configured to transform a polarization state of the optical beam;
a lens configured to collimate the optical beam;
free space optics configured to:
receive a first portion of the optical beam as a target signal;
receive a second portion of the optical beam from the polarization wave plate as a local oscillator signal, wherein the polarization wave plate comprises a reflector or a coating to return the second portion of the optical beam; and
combine the target signal and the local oscillator signal;
a set of multi-mode (MM) waveguides; and
a demultiplexer comprising a dispersive element, the demultiplexer configured to:
disperse, via the dispersive element, each respective wavelength of the combined signal at a corresponding angle; and
reflect each respective wavelength of the combined signal to a corresponding MM waveguide of the set of MM waveguides.
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