Scanning flash lidar with micro shutter array

An optical sensing method using a micro shutter array, comprising:

• receiving an optical signal from an environment;
• collimating, by a condenser lens, the received optical signal to a collimated optical signal;
• spatially selecting, by the micro shutter array disposed in a light path of the collimated optical signal, only a portion of the collimated optical signal to pass through the micro shutter array at one time;
• and
• focusing, by a receiving lens, the spatially selected portion of the optical signal received from the micro shutter array on a photodetector.

A micro shutter array, comprising:

• a plurality of micro shutter elements arranged in an array;
• and
• a controller coupled to the micro shutter array and configured to control a micro shutter element to be in one of an open and closed state at one time, wherein the micro shutter element comprises:
• a static first comb and a movable second comb coupled to the first comb;
• an elongated arm extending from and perpendicular to an anchor of the second comb;
• and
• a light shutting unit attached to the anchor through the elongated arm, wherein a movement of the second comb controls the micro shutter element to switch between the open state and the closed state.