Free space multiple laser diode modules
AssigneeGoogle Inc.
InventorsJorg Pierer, Rony Jose James, Stefan Mohrdiek, Douglas Raymond Dykaar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, devices, and methods for optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Such optical engines may have various advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.
Claims20
A method of operating an optical engine, the optical engine comprising a plurality of laser diodes sealed in an encapsulated package, the method comprising:
- causing the plurality of laser diodes to generate laser light, comprising:
- receiving the laser light from each of the laser diodes of the plurality of laser diodes by a single face of an optical director element shared between the plurality of laser diodes;
- redirecting, by the single face of the optical director element, the received laser light toward an optical window of the encapsulated package;
- and
- collimating, by a plurality of collimation lenses, the laser light from the plurality of laser diodes that exits the encapsulated package via the optical window to generate a plurality of laser light beams.
An optical engine, comprising:
- a plurality of laser diodes sealed in an encapsulated package, wherein each laser diode of the plurality of laser diodes is configured to generate laser light;
- an optical director element configured to receive the laser light from each of the laser diodes of the plurality of laser diodes by a single face of the optical director element shared between the plurality of laser diodes, wherein the single face of the optical director element is configured to redirect the received laser light toward an optical window of the encapsulated package;
- and
- a plurality of collimation lenses configured to collimate the laser light from the plurality of laser diodes that exits the encapsulated package via the optical window to generate a plurality of laser light beams.
A method of operating an optical engine, the optical engine comprising a plurality of laser diodes sealed in an encapsulated package, the method comprising:
- causing the plurality of laser diodes to generate laser light, comprising:
- receiving the laser light from each of the laser diodes of the plurality of laser diodes by a single face of an optical director element shared between the plurality of laser diodes;
- redirecting, by the single face of the optical director element, the received laser light toward an optical window of the encapsulated package;
- collimating, by a plurality of collimation lenses, the laser light from the plurality of laser diodes that exits the encapsulated package via the optical window to generate a plurality of laser light beams;
- and
- routing the plurality of laser light beams to a controllable scan mirror, wherein the controllable scan mirror redirects the plurality of laser light beams over a range of angles onto a transparent combiner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.