LIDAR sensor system including particular optic design

An autonomous vehicle (AV) control system for a vehicle, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• a light source configured to emit a beam;
• at least one first optical component configured to direct the beam emitted by the light source;
• at least one optical isolator configured to allow the beam directed by the at least one first optical component to pass through the at least one optical isolator in a first direction and to prevent light from being reflected back into the light source through the at least one optical isolator in a second direction;
• at least one second optical component configured to direct the beam after having passed through the at least one optical isolator;
• and
• an optical chip assembly comprising a plurality of chips configured to receive the beam after having been directed by the at least one second optical component.

An autonomous vehicle, comprising:

• an autonomous vehicle control system, the autonomous vehicle control system comprising one or more processors and a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor system, the LIDAR sensor system comprising:
• a micro optics assembly, comprising:
• a light source configured to emit a beam,
• at least one first optical component configured to direct the beam emitted by the light source,
• at least one optical isolator configured to allow the beam directed by the at least one first optical component to pass through the at least one optical isolator in a first direction and to prevent light from being reflected back into the light source through the at least one optical isolator in a second direction,
• at least one second optical component configured to direct the beam after having passed through the at least one optical isolator, and
• an optical chip assembly comprising a plurality of chips configured to receive the beam after having been directed by the at least one second optical component and to emit the beam toward an object in an environment of the autonomous vehicle, and
• a receiver configured to receive a reflected beam from the object and determine an object detection associated with the object;
• and
• an autonomous vehicle controller configured to control the autonomous vehicle based on the object detection associated with the object.