US 12,253,630 B2
Optical phased arrays and spherical shift invariant sensors for use in advanced LIDAR systems
Yuzuru Takashima, Tucson, AZ (US); and Matthew Salem, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (US)
Appl. No. 17/059,575
Filed by Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (US)
PCT Filed May 29, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/034320
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 30, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/232001, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 5, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/677,313, filed on May 29, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0208253 A1, Jul. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. G01S 7/481 (2006.01); G01S 7/4865 (2020.01); G01S 17/89 (2020.01); G02B 13/06 (2006.01)
CPC G01S 7/4815 (2013.01) [G01S 7/4816 (2013.01); G01S 7/4865 (2013.01); G01S 17/89 (2013.01); G02B 13/06 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A LIDAR system, comprising:
a. an optical transmitter configured to transmit a narrow high power beam, wherein the optical transmitter uses a photonic band gap structure having elements spaced at approximately 0.5 wavelength to eliminate grating lobes, wherein the photonic band gap structure comprises an array of high dielectric rods embedded in a low dielectric material, wherein the rods are each spaced approximately 0.5 wavelength apart; and
b. a receiver comprising a macroscopic lens array and a radially symmetrical Luneburg type lens to bring light from any direction into focus at its center, whereby an active detection system is formed which can scan a full 360 degree spherical field of view.