US 12,001,088 B2 · Optical elements for integrated IR and visible camera for depth sensing and systems incorporating the same

Abstract

A multi-spectral optical imaging device includes a switchable element configured to be switched between first and second states, one of which alters a polarization of light, and a geometric phase element arranged to receive the light from the switchable element. The geometric phase element is configured to diffract a first wavelength band of the light to alter a direction of propagation thereof based on the polarization and without substantially altering a direction of propagation of a second wavelength band of the light, responsive to the first state of the switchable element. Related optical shutters and multi-spectral optical detectors are also discussed.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A multi-spectral optical imaging device, comprising:

a switchable element configured to be switched between first and second states, wherein one of the first and second states alters a polarization of light;
and
a geometric phase element arranged to receive the light from the switchable element, wherein the geometric phase element is configured to diffract a first wavelength band of the light to alter a direction of propagation thereof based on the polarization and without substantially altering a direction of propagation of a second wavelength band of the light, responsive to the first state of the switchable element.

A multi-spectral optical imaging detector, comprising:

a camera comprising an image sensor that is configured to detect first and second wavelength bands of light;
and
an optical shutter comprising a switchable liquid crystal layer and a geometric phase element configured to selectively transmit or diffract the first wavelength band of the light towards or away from the image sensor, respectively, based on a polarization thereof, and to transmit the second wavelength band of the light to the image sensor independent of the polarization thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

17/174,714Filed 12 Feb 2021 · us provisional application

Priority

12 Feb 2020

Published

US 2021/0247632 A112 Aug 2021

Granted

4 Jun 2024

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G02F 1/0136
For the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour: for the control of polarisation, e.g. state of polarisation [SOP] control,…
G02F 1/133504
Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors: diffusing, scattering, diffracting elements
G02F 1/133536
Polarisers: reflective polarizers
G02F 1/137
Based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells: characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g.…

Optical elements for integrated IR and visible camera for depth sensing and systems incorporating the same

Life of this patent

Optical elements for integrated IR and visible camera for depth sensing and systems incorporating the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36