Photonic imaging array
First Claim
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1. An imaging system having a design wavelength between about 100 nm and about 1 mm and a design bandwidth, the imaging system comprising:
- a wafer;
a plurality of optical couplers disposed in a predefined planar array on a first layer of the wafer;
a plurality of optical detectors disposed in a predefined planar array on a second layer, different from the first layer, of the wafer;
a first optical phasing network having inputs and outputs, the inputs of the first optical phasing network being optically coupled to the plurality of optical couplers; and
a second optical phasing network having inputs and outputs, the inputs of the second optical phasing network being optically coupled to the outputs of the first optical phasing network and the outputs of the second optical phasing network being optically coupled to the plurality of optical detectors;
wherein;
the first and second optical phasing networks cooperate to form an analog 2-dimensional optical Fourier transformer.
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Abstract
A multi-beam optical phased array on a single planar waveguide layer or a small number of planar waveguide layers enables building an optical sensor that performs much like a significantly larger telescope. Imaging systems use planar waveguides created using micro-lithographic techniques. These imagers are variants of “phased arrays,” common and familiar from microwave radar applications. However, there are significant differences when these same concepts are applied to visible and infrared light.
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5 Claims
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1. An imaging system having a design wavelength between about 100 nm and about 1 mm and a design bandwidth, the imaging system comprising:
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a wafer; a plurality of optical couplers disposed in a predefined planar array on a first layer of the wafer; a plurality of optical detectors disposed in a predefined planar array on a second layer, different from the first layer, of the wafer; a first optical phasing network having inputs and outputs, the inputs of the first optical phasing network being optically coupled to the plurality of optical couplers; and a second optical phasing network having inputs and outputs, the inputs of the second optical phasing network being optically coupled to the outputs of the first optical phasing network and the outputs of the second optical phasing network being optically coupled to the plurality of optical detectors;
wherein;the first and second optical phasing networks cooperate to form an analog 2-dimensional optical Fourier transformer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification