Optical scanner and detector

A device comprising a plurality of optical scanners, each of the optical scanners comprising an optical phased array, each of the optical scanners comprising:

• a power splitter configured to split light from a waveguide connecting at least one laser to a plurality of waveguides;
• a plurality of amplitude modulators or phase modulators, each connected to the power splitter through a corresponding waveguide of the plurality of waveguides;
• a plurality of emitters, each emitter connected to a corresponding amplitude or phase modulator through a corresponding waveguide;
• and
• a plurality of lasers, each laser operating at a different wavelength relative to other lasers of the plurality of lasers, and further comprising at least one multiplexer between the plurality of lasers and the power splitter, configured to multiplex light from the plurality of lasers,
• wherein:
• the plurality of amplitude modulators or phase modulators is configured to receive control signals to control an amplitude or phase of the light, and
• the optical phased array is configured to emit a light beam in a spatial direction based on the amplitude or phase of the light.

A method comprising:

• generating light by at least one laser;
• selecting a wavelength of the light;
• splitting light from the at least one laser to a plurality of encoders;
• encoding the light in a pattern by the plurality of encoders;
• and
• transmitting the light in a spatial direction by an optical phased array comprising a plurality of emitters, each emitter connected to a corresponding encoder of the plurality of encoders through a corresponding waveguide,
• wherein the at least one laser comprises a plurality of lasers, each laser operating at a different wavelength, and
• selecting a wavelength comprises activating at least one switch to switch between lasers of the plurality of lasers.

A method comprising:

• generating light by at least one laser;
• selecting a wavelength of the light;
• splitting light from the at least one laser to a plurality of encoders;
• encoding the light in a pattern by the plurality of encoders;
• and
• transmitting the light in a spatial direction by an optical phased array comprising a plurality of emitters, each emitter connected to a corresponding encoder of the plurality of encoders through a corresponding waveguide, wherein:
• the at least one laser comprises a plurality of lasers, each laser operating at a different wavelength, and splitting light from the at least one laser to a plurality of encoders comprises:
• transmitting light from the plurality of lasers to at least one passive multiplexer;
• transmitting light from the at least one passive multiplexer to a splitter;
• and
• transmitting light from the splitter to the plurality of encoders.