Optical detector system with multiple path lengths

    公开(公告)号:US12032079B1

    公开(公告)日:2024-07-09

    申请号:US17114923

    申请日:2020-12-08

    CPC classification number: G01S3/785 G01S3/789 H04B10/40

    Abstract: An optical detector system provides positioning data to facilitate tracking in optical communications. The system provides first and second path lengths to direct light onto an array of photodetectors. Incoming first light with a first polarization is reflected by a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) to the array, resulting in a first path length and a relatively wide field of view (FOV). Incoming second light with a second polarization passes through the PBS, interacts with a first quarter wave retarder (QWR) and a convex mirror, is reflected by the PBS, passes through a second QWR and is reflected by a flat mirror to pass through the PBS again and onto the array. The second light experiences a second path length greater than the first path length, exhibiting a relatively narrow FOV. The resulting spots of light on the array provide information about a position of the incoming beam.

    Optical detector system
    3.
    发明授权

    公开(公告)号:US11579014B1

    公开(公告)日:2023-02-14

    申请号:US16998849

    申请日:2020-08-20

    Abstract: An optical detector system provides beam positioning data to an optical tracking system to facilitate optical communications. The optical detector system comprises a plurality of optical photodetectors. For example, a two-by-two array may be used. Incoming light passes through one or more optical elements, such as a lens and a dispersive optical element. A first portion of the beam entering the optical elements is directed into a first spot having a first area on the array. A second portion of the beam entering the optical elements is dispersed to form a second spot having a second area on the array that is larger than the first area. This combination of first portion and second portion of the beam incident on the array provides unambiguous information in the output of the photodetectors that is indicative of a position of the incoming beam with respect to the array.

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