US 12,411,215 B1
System and method of optical scanning with detection of return signals using a star coupler
Michael Gehl, Albuquerque, NM (US); Christopher Michael Long, Albuquerque, NM (US); Christopher Todd DeRose, Albuquerque, NM (US); and Paul Davids, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Assigned to National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (US)
Filed on Mar. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/210,852.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/003,951, filed on Apr. 2, 2020.
Int. Cl. G01S 7/481 (2006.01); G01S 17/89 (2020.01); G02B 6/12 (2006.01); G02B 6/125 (2006.01); G02B 6/28 (2006.01); G02B 6/30 (2006.01); G02B 27/00 (2006.01); G02F 1/29 (2006.01); G02F 1/295 (2006.01)
CPC G01S 7/4817 (2013.01) [G01S 7/4818 (2013.01); G01S 17/89 (2013.01); G02B 6/12009 (2013.01); G02B 6/125 (2013.01); G02B 6/2813 (2013.01); G02B 6/305 (2013.01); G02F 1/292 (2013.01); G02F 1/2955 (2013.01); G02B 27/0087 (2013.01); G02F 2203/24 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of optical scanning of the kind in which a controllable phase shift is distributed across an array of output waveguides and used to steer a send beam of light, in which a return beam of light is detected after reflecting from external objects, and in which a star coupler is used to distribute an input beam of light into the array of output waveguides, comprising:
injecting the input beam of light into an input signal waveguide on an input side of the star coupler, wherein the input signal waveguide is part of an input waveguide array comprising the input signal waveguide and one or more additional input-side waveguides;
sweeping the send beam of light by controlling the controllable phase shift; and
detecting light from the return beam that has coupled into at least one of the additional input-side waveguides, wherein:
the return beam reenters the star coupler through the array of output waveguides.