US 12,353,030 B2
Optical coherent imager having shared input-output path and method for sensing coherent light
Kam Wai Clifford Chan, San Diego, CA (US); and Chung Ki Wong, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to OAM Photonics LLC, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Appl. No. 17/622,629
Filed by OAM Photonics LLC, San Diego, CA (US)
PCT Filed Jul. 21, 2021, PCT No. PCT/US2021/042533
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Dec. 23, 2021,
PCT Pub. No. WO2023/003550, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 26, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/147,733, filed on Feb. 9, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0142705 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. G02B 6/42 (2006.01); G01S 7/499 (2006.01); G01S 17/34 (2020.01); G02B 6/27 (2006.01); G02B 6/34 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/4213 (2013.01) [G01S 7/499 (2013.01); G01S 17/34 (2020.01); G02B 6/2706 (2013.01); G02B 6/274 (2013.01); G02B 6/2773 (2013.01); G02B 6/34 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An optical coherent sensor comprising a photonic substrate, a plurality of coherent sensing units disposed on the photonic substrate, and a polarization transformer disposed on the coherent sensing units, wherein each of the coherent sensing units comprises:
a polarization diversified optical coupler disposed on a substrate surface of the photonic substrate to direct optical signals having a first polarization state to and from free space and a first waveguide disposed on the substrate surface and to direct optical signals having a second polarization state to and from free space and a second waveguide disposed on the substrate surface, the first polarization state being orthogonal to the second polarization state; and
one or more photodetectors disposed on the substrate surface and optically coupled to the polarization diversified optical coupler;
wherein said optical signals having the first polarization state propagate along a first direction of an optical path after exiting the polarization transformer; and
wherein said optical signals having the second polarization state propagate along a second direction of the same optical path before entering the polarization transformer, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.