# US 2022/0035007 A1 · Vibrated polarizing beam splitter for improved return light detection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0035007 A1 - Document ID: US20220035007A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/942,033 - 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/US20220035007A1 ## CPC - G01S 7/4817: {relating to scanning} - G01S 7/4814: {of transmitters alone} - G01S 7/4815: {using multiple transmitters} - G01S 7/4816: {of receivers alone} - G01S 17/10: using transmission of interrupted, pulse-modulated waves (determination of distance by phase measurements G01S17/32) - G01S 17/931: of land vehicles - G02B 26/0816: {by means of one or more reflecting elements} - G02B 26/10: Scanning systems - G02B 26/108: {having one or more prisms as scanning elements} - 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 a vibrated polarizing beam splitter for improved return light. An example method may involve emitting, by an emitter, a first light pulse. The example method may also involve 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. The example method may also involve 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. The example method may also involve transmitting, by the polarizing beam splitter, a return light pulse through the polarizing beam splitter, the return light pulse based on the first light pulse. The example method may also involve detecting, by a detector, the return light pulse. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: an emitter configured to emit a first light pulse; a detector configured to receive a return light pulse, the return light pulse comprising a reflection of the first light pulse; a polarizing beam splitter, the polarizing beam splitter having a first position where the polarizing beam splitter reflects the first light pulse and a second position where the polarizing beam splitter transmits the return light pulse; and an actuator that selectively moves the polarizing beam splitter between the first position to the second position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move the polarizing beam splitter from the first position to the second position after the emitter emits the first light pulse and before the return light pulse is transmitted by the polarizing beam splitter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move the polarizing beam splitter from the second position to the first position after the return light pulse is transmitted by the polarizing beam splitter and before the emitter emits a second light pulse. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes at least one of a voice coil motor or a non-vibrating motor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first light pulse is in a first polarization state, wherein the return light pulse includes light in a first polarization and light in a second polarization state, and wherein the polarizing beam splitter is configured to transmit at least a portion of both the light in the first polarization state and the light in the second polarization state. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein at least 90% of the light in the first polarization state and the light in the second polarization state is transmitted by the polarizing beam splitter in the second position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a difference between the first position and the second position is less than 5 degrees. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first position corresponds to an angle of incidence of approximately 45 degrees and the second position corresponds to an angle of incidence is approximately 43.5 degrees. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein adjusting the angle of incidence to the second angle of incidence takes place after the emitter emits the first light pulse and before the return light pulse is received at the polarizing beam splitter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising: adjusting, subsequent to receiving the return light pulse, the polarizing beam splitter from the second position to the first position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein adjusting the angle of incidence includes adjusting the angle of incidence using at least one of a voice coil motor or a non-vibrating motor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the first light pulse is in a first polarization state, and wherein the return light pulse includes light in a first polarization and light in a second polarization state, and wherein the polarizing beam splitter is configured to transmit at least a portion of both the light in the first polarization state and the light in the second polarization state. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein at least 90% of the light in the first polarization state and the light in the second polarization state. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein a difference between the first position and the second position is less than 5 degrees. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the first angle of incidence is approximately 45 degrees and the second angle of incidence is approximately 43.5 degrees. ### Claim 17 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. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein a difference between the first angle of incidence and the second angle of incidence is five degrees or less. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein adjusting the angle of incidence to a second angle of incidence is after the emitter emits the first light pulse and before the return light pulse is received at the polarizing beam splitter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17, wherein the computer-executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to: adjust, subsequent to receiving the return light pulse, the polarizing beam splitter from the second position to the first position .