# US 2022/0035002 A1 · Mirror with polarizing beam splitter for lidar system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0035002 A1 - Document ID: US20220035002A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/942,028 - Filed: 2020-07-29 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-29 - Assignees: Argo AI, LLC - Applicants: Argo Al, LLC - Inventors: Ryan T. Davis; Mohamed S. Seghilani; Richard S. D'Alo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220035002A1 ## CPC - G01S 7/481: Constructional features, e.g. arrangements of optical elements - G01S 17/931: of land vehicles - G01S 7/4815: {using multiple transmitters} - G01S 7/4816: {of receivers alone} - G01S 7/4817: {relating to scanning} - G02B 27/10: Beam splitting or combining systems (polarising systems G02B27/28; mixing and splitting light signals using optical waveguides G02B6/28; {beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectional area, by dividing or superposing multiple light beams G02B27/0905}) - G01S 17/93: for anti-collision purposes - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for systems and methods for improved LIDAR return light capture efficiency. One example method may include emitting, by an emitter, a first light pulse in a first path. The example method may also include transmitting, by a polarizing beam splitter in the first path and aligned with an aperture of a reflective element, a portion of the first light pulse, wherein the reflective element is disposed of in the first path. The example method may also include reflecting, by a reflective surface of the reflective element, a second light pulse in a second path, the second light pulse including a return pulse based on the first light pulse being reflected from an object. The example method may also include detecting, by a detector, the detector disposed in the second path of the second light pulse. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: an emitter configured to emit a first light pulse in a first path; a reflective element disposed in the first path of the first light pulse, the reflective element comprising: a polarizing beam splitter in the first path and aligned with an aperture of the reflective element, the polarizing beam splitter configured to pass a portion of the first light pulse, and a reflective surface configured to reflect a second light pulse in a second path, the second light pulse including a return pulse based on the first light pulse being reflected from an object; and a detector, the detector disposed in the second path of the second light pulse. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the polarizing beam splitter is further configured to reflect at least a first portion of the return pulse of a first polarization towards the detector, and transmit a second portion of the return pulse of a second polarization. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising: a first lens disposed between the emitter and reflective element in the first path of the first light pulse; and a second lens disposed between the reflective element and the detector in the second path of the second light pulse. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the polarizing beam splitter is at least partially disposed in the aperture. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface comprises a layer of reflective material disposed on a first surface of the reflective element, the layer of reflective material exposing a portion of the polarizing beam splitter approximate the aperture. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the aperture defined by the reflective element is at least one of circular, oval, or a slot. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein a wall of the reflective element defining the aperture is parallel to the first path. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the aperture is approximately a size of a width of the first light pulse. ### Claim 9 A reflective apparatus for an optical system, comprising: a planar structure having a first surface and a substantially parallel second surface, the planar structure defining an aperture, wherein the aperture extends from the first surface to the second surface and is in a first path of a first light pulse; and a polarizing beam splitter disposed in the aperture, the polarizing beam splitter configured to pass a portion of the first light pulse, wherein the first surface includes a reflective surface configured to reflect a second light pulse in a second path, the second light pulse including a return pulse based on the first light pulse being reflected from an object. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the polarizing beam splitter is further configured to reflect at least a first portion of the return pulse of a first polarization towards a detector of the optical system, and transmit a second portion of the return pulse of a second polarization. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the polarizing beam splitter is at least partially disposed in the aperture. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the reflective surface and the polarizing beam splitter are applied as one or more layers of material on a base layer of the apparatus. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the aperture defined by the reflective apparatus is at least one of circular, oval, or a slot. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a wall of the reflective apparatus defining the aperture is parallel to the first path. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a width of the aperture is approximately a size of the width of the first light pulse. ### Claim 16 A method comprising; emitting, by an emitter, a first light pulse in a first path; transmitting, by a polarizing beam splitter in the first path and aligned with an aperture of a reflective element, a portion of the first light pulse, wherein the reflective element is disposed of in the first path; reflecting, by a reflective surface of the reflective element, a second light pulse in a second path, the second light pulse including a return pulse based on the first light pulse being reflected from an object; and detecting, by a detector, the second light pulse, the detector disposed in the second path of the second light pulse. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the polarizing beam splitter is further configured to reflect at least a first portion of the return pulse of a first polarization towards the detector, and transmit a second portion of the return pulse of a second polarization. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface and the polarizing beam splitter are at least one of: partially disposed in the aperture or one or more layers of material disposed on the reflective element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the aperture defined by the reflective element is at least one of circular, oval, or a slot. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, wherein a wall of the reflective element defining the aperture is parallel to the first path.