Vibrated polarizing beam splitter for improved return light detection

A method comprising:

• emitting, by an emitter, a first light pulse;
• reflecting, by a polarizing beam splitter in a first position, the first light pulse, wherein the polarizing beam splitter is at a first angle of incidence in the first position;
• adjusting, subsequent to the polarizing beam splitter reflecting the first light pulse, a position of the polarizing beam splitter from the first position to a second position, wherein the polarizing beam splitter is at a second angle of incidence in the second position;
• transmitting, by the polarizing beam splitter in the second position, a return light pulse through the polarizing beam splitter, the return light pulse based on the first light pulse;
• and
• detecting, by a detector, the return light pulse.

A non-transitory computer readable medium including computer-executable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations of:

• adjust a position of a polarizing beam splitter to a first position, wherein the polarizing beam splitter is at a first angle of incidence in the first position relative to a path of light emitted by an emitter;
• emit, by the emitter, a first light pulse in the path directed at the polarizing beam splitter;
• adjust, subsequent to the polarizing beam splitter reflecting the first light pulse, a position of the polarizing beam splitter from the first position to a second position, wherein the polarizing beam splitter is at a second angle of incidence in the second position;
• and
• receive, by a detector, a return light pulse based on the first light pulse, the return light pulse being transmitted by the polarizing beam splitter in the second position.