PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10447424-B2
Application Number: US-201816179951-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Spatial multiplexing scheme

Abstract:
An optoelectronic apparatus includes an enclosure having mutually-opposing first and second faces. An array of emitters contained in the enclosure is configured to emit beams of optical radiation. Projection optics contained in the enclosure have an entrance face and an exit face and are configured to receive the beams of optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face. A polarization-based spatial multiplexer is contained in the enclosure and positioned to intercept and direct the projected beams such that the optical radiation having a first polarization is transmitted through the first face, while the optical radiation having a second polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization, is emitted through the second face. A controller is coupled to control a polarization of the optical radiation and thereby control a direction in which the optical radiation is emitted from the enclosure.

Claims:
The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An optoelectronic apparatus, comprising:
 an enclosure comprising mutually-opposing first and second faces; 
 an array of emitters contained in the enclosure and configured to emit beams of optical radiation; 
 projection optics contained in the enclosure and having an entrance face and an exit face and configured to receive the beams of optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face; 
 a polarization-based spatial multiplexer, which is contained in the enclosure and positioned to intercept and direct the projected beams such that the optical radiation having a first polarization is transmitted through the first face, while the optical radiation having a second polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization, is emitted through the second face; and 
 a controller, which is coupled to control a polarization of the optical radiation and thereby control a direction in which the optical radiation is emitted from the enclosure. 
 
     
     
       2. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the polarization-based spatial multiplexer comprises a polarizing beamsplitter configured to reflect the beams with a first polarization toward the first face of the enclosure and to transmit the beams with the second polarization. 
     
     
       3. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the polarization-based spatial multiplexer comprises a mirror positioned to intercept the beams with the second polarization transmitted by the polarizing beamsplitter and to reflect the intercepted beams toward the second face of the enclosure. 
     
     
       4. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 3 , and wherein the mirror is configured to transmit a portion of the intercepted beams, and the apparatus comprises an optical sensor positioned to intercept the portion of the beams and configured to emit a signal to the controller responsively to an optical power of the portion of the intercepted beams. 
     
     
       5. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the emitters are configured to emit beams with a common polarization, and wherein the polarization-based spatial multiplexer comprises a polarization switcher configured to rotate the polarization of the beams between the first and second polarizations under control of the controller. 
     
     
       6. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the polarization switcher comprises a liquid crystal cell. 
     
     
       7. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the emitters comprise edge-emitting laser diodes. 
     
     
       8. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the array of emitters comprises first emitters, which are configured to emit respective first beams of optical radiation of the first polarization, and second emitters, which are configured to emit respective second beams of optical radiation of the second polarization. 
     
     
       9. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the controller is coupled to drive the first emitters and the second emitters either separately or concurrently so that the polarization-based spatial multiplexer projects the beams of optical radiation through either the first face or the second face or through both faces of the enclosure. 
     
     
       10. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the projection optics comprise:
 first cylindrical lenses, which are aligned respectively with the emitters in the array and have respective, mutually-parallel first cylindrical axes; and 
 a second cylindrical lens positioned adjacent to the first cylindrical lenses and having a second cylindrical axis perpendicular to the first cylindrical axes. 
 
     
     
       11. An optoelectronic apparatus, comprising:
 an array of pairs of first and second emitters, wherein the first emitters are configured to emit respective first beams of optical radiation of a first polarization, and the second emitters are configured to emit respective second beams of optical radiation of a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization; 
 projection optics having an entrance face and an exit face and configured to receive the first and second beams of the optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face; and 
 a polarizing beamsplitter, which is positioned to intercept the projected beams and configured to transmit the optical radiation of the first polarization and to reflect the optical radiation of the second polarization. 
 
     
     
       12. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the projection optics comprise:
 first cylindrical lenses, which are aligned respectively with the pairs of emitters, so that each first cylindrical lens intercepts one first beam and one second beam, and have respective, mutually parallel first cylindrical axes; and 
 a second cylindrical lens positioned adjacent to the first cylindrical lenses and having a second cylindrical axis perpendicular to the first cylindrical axes. 
 
     
     
       13. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the projection optics are configured to provide a uniform illumination. 
     
     
       14. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the projection optics are configured to provide a patterned illumination. 
     
     
       15. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the emitters comprise edge-emitting laser diodes. 
     
     
       16. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 11 , and comprising a controller, which is coupled to drive the first and second emitters so as to set relative proportions of the optical radiation that are transmitted and reflected. 
     
     
       17. A method for projecting optical radiation, comprising:
 providing an enclosure comprising mutually-opposing first and second faces, containing an array of emitters configured to emit beams of optical radiation and projection optics having an entrance face and an exit face and configured to receive the beams of optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face; 
 positioning a polarization-based spatial multiplexer to intercept and direct the projected beams such that the optical radiation having a first polarization is transmitted through the first face, while the optical radiation having a second polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization, is emitted through the second face; and 
 controlling a polarization of the optical radiation, thereby controlling the direction in which the optical radiation is emitted from the enclosure. 
 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the polarization-based spatial multiplexer comprises a polarizing beamsplitter configured to reflect the beams with a first polarization toward the first face of the enclosure and to transmit the beams with the second polarization. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the emitters are configured to emit beams with a common polarization, and wherein the polarization-based spatial multiplexer comprises a polarization switcher configured to rotate the polarization of the beams between the first and second polarizations under control of the controller. 
     
     
       20. The method according to  claim 17 , wherein the array of emitters comprises first emitters, which are configured to emit respective first beams of optical radiation of the first polarization, and second emitters, which are configured to emit respective second beams of optical radiation of the second polarization.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/618,640, filed Jan. 18, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to optoelectronic systems, and particularly to illumination devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable electronic devices, such as cellular phones, commonly employ one or more integral light sources. These light sources may provide illumination for a scene recorded by a camera integrated into the device. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,400,177 describes a pattern projector, including a light source, configured to emit a beam of light. The inventors describe a system for 3D mapping, which may be produced as a very compact unit, for example being included in a mobile station (e.g., PDA, cellular phone) and/or a portable computer. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention that are described herein provided improved sources of optical radiation. 
     There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an optoelectronic apparatus, including an enclosure including mutually-opposing first and second faces. An array of emitters contained in the enclosure is configured to emit beams of optical radiation. Projection optics contained in the enclosure have an entrance face and an exit face and are configured to receive the beams of optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face. A polarization-based spatial multiplexer is contained in the enclosure and positioned to intercept and direct the projected beams such that the optical radiation having a first polarization is transmitted through the first face, while the optical radiation having a second polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization, is emitted through the second face. A controller is coupled to control a polarization of the optical radiation and thereby control a direction in which the optical radiation is emitted from the enclosure. 
     In some embodiments, the polarization-based spatial multiplexer includes a polarizing beamsplitter configured to reflect the beams with a first polarization toward the first face of the enclosure and to transmit the beams with the second polarization. In a disclosed embodiment, the polarization-based spatial multiplexer includes a mirror positioned to intercept the beams with the second polarization transmitted by the polarizing beamsplitter and to reflect the intercepted beams toward the second face of the enclosure. The mirror may be configured to transmit a portion of the intercepted beams, and the apparatus may include an optical sensor positioned to intercept the portion of the beams and configured to emit a signal to the controller responsively to an optical power of the portion of the intercepted beams. 
     In other embodiments, the emitters are configured to emit beams with a common polarization, and the polarization-based spatial multiplexer includes a polarization switcher configured to rotate the polarization of the beams between the first and second polarizations under control of the controller. In one embodiment, the polarization switcher includes a liquid crystal cell. 
     In a disclosed embodiment, the emitters include edge-emitting laser diodes. 
     In some embodiments, the array of emitters includes first emitters, which are configured to emit respective first beams of optical radiation of the first polarization, and second emitters, which are configured to emit respective second beams of optical radiation of the second polarization. In a disclosed embodiment, the controller is coupled to drive the first emitters and the second emitters either separately or concurrently so that the polarization-based spatial multiplexer projects the beams of optical radiation through either the first face or the second face or through both faces of the enclosure. 
     In a disclosed embodiment, the projection optics include first cylindrical lenses, which are aligned respectively with the emitters in the array and have respective, mutually-parallel first cylindrical axes, and a second cylindrical lens positioned adjacent to the first cylindrical lenses and having a second cylindrical axis perpendicular to the first cylindrical axes. 
     There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an optoelectronic apparatus, including an array of pairs of first and second emitters, wherein the first emitters are configured to emit respective first beams of optical radiation of a first polarization, and the second emitters are configured to emit respective second beams of optical radiation of a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. Projection optics having an entrance face and an exit face are configured to receive the first and second beams of the optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face. A polarizing beamsplitter is positioned to intercept the projected beams and configured to transmit the optical radiation of the first polarization and to reflect the optical radiation of the second polarization. 
     In some embodiments, the projection optics are configured to provide a uniform illumination. Alternatively, the projection optics are configured to provide a patterned illumination. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a controller, which is coupled to drive the first and second emitters so as to set relative proportions of the optical radiation that are transmitted and reflected. 
     There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for projecting optical radiation, which includes providing an enclosure including mutually-opposing first and second faces, containing an array of emitters configured to emit beams of optical radiation and projection optics having an entrance face and an exit face and configured to receive the beams of optical radiation through the entrance face and to project the beams through the exit face. A polarization-based spatial multiplexer is positioned to intercept and direct the projected beams such that the optical radiation having a first polarization is transmitted through the first face, while the optical radiation having a second polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization, is emitted through the second face. A polarization of the optical radiation is controlled, thereby controlling the direction in which the optical radiation is emitted from the enclosure. 
     The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-B  and  1 C-D are schematic sectional side views and schematic top views, respectively, of an optoelectronic apparatus in two alternative polarization configurations, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-B  are schematic perspective and side views, respective, of an optoelectronic apparatus, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective illustration of an optoelectronic apparatus, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A portable electronic device may employ more than one light source for providing illumination for sub-systems integral to the device, such as front- and rear-side cameras. Realizing these light sources and their switching mechanisms within the constraints of volume and cost of a typical portable electronic device, such as a cellular phone, is challenging. 
     Embodiments of the present invention that are described herein address these problems by providing a compact optoelectronic apparatus featuring a spatially multiplexed light source. 
     In the disclosed embodiments, the optoelectronic apparatus includes an enclosure, with an array of emitters of beams of optical radiation, projection optics, a polarization-based spatial multiplexer, and a controller contained in the enclosure. (The terms “optical radiation” and “light” as used in the present description and in the claims refer generally to any and all of visible, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation.) 
     The projection optics are common to all of the emitted beams, and in some embodiments include an array of first cylindrical lenses with mutually parallel first cylinder axes and a second cylindrical lens, adjacent to the array of first cylindrical lenses, with a second cylinder axis perpendicular to the first axes. Depending on the optical parameters, this arrangement can be used to create uniform flood lighting or patterned radiation over the field of interest. 
     The beams of optical radiation emitted by the array of emitters are received by the projection optics and projected toward the polarization-based spatial multiplexer. The polarization-based spatial multiplexer directs the beams, depending on their state of polarization, to be emitted through the front face or the rear face of the enclosure, or through both of the faces. 
     The beams emitted through the front or rear faces may have different functionalities. For instance, the beams emitted through the front face may project patterned illumination onto a scene, enabling 3D mapping based on triangulation, whereas a scanner may be added to scan the beams emitted through the rear face, enabling 3D mapping based on time-of-flight (TOF). Alternatively or additionally, the beams may be used for other purposes, such as uniform flood lighting. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the emitters, driven by a controller, emit beams of polarized light. These emitters may be, for example, edge-emitting laser diodes, which typically emit polarized light, or unpolarized sources, such as surface-emitting devices, overlaid by a polarizer. Each first cylindrical lens of the lens array receives one emitted beam and projects it toward the second cylindrical lens, which, in turn, projects all the beams toward the polarization-based spatial multiplexer. The polarization-based spatial multiplexer includes a polarization switcher, such as a liquid crystal cell, and a polarizing beamsplitter. A mirror, either free standing or embedded in a cube, can be included for deflecting the beams that are transmitted through the beamsplitter. The polarization switcher, driven by the controller, transmits the beams and imposes on them a desired polarization state. The polarizing beamsplitter receives the transmitted beams, and, depending on their polarization state, reflects, transmits, or both reflects and transmits them. The reflected beams are emitted through one face of the enclosure, for example the front face. The transmitted beams impinge on and are reflected by the mirror, and are thus emitted through the opposite face of the enclosure, for example the rear face. 
     In the present description, the terms “front face” and “rear face” are used by way of example only, and in general can denote any two opposing faces of the enclosure. Furthermore, although some of the embodiments described herein are particularly well suited for integration in a narrow enclosure as described above, the principles of the present invention may also be applied to provide polarization-based spatial multiplexing in other settings, irrespective of any particular type of enclosure. 
     In an alternative embodiment the array of emitters includes first emitters emitting beams of optical radiation of a first polarization and second emitters emitting beams of optical radiation of a second polarization, orthogonal to the first polarization. Each first cylindrical lens of the lens array receives one beam of each polarization and projects them toward the second cylindrical lens, which, in turn, projects the beams toward the polarization-based spatial multiplexer. 
     As in the preceding embodiment, the polarization-based spatial multiplexer includes a polarizing beamsplitter and a mirror. In this embodiment, however, the polarization switching is performed by the controller driving either the first or the second emitters or both. Therefore, a separate polarization switcher is not required. The beams projected by the projection optics impinge on the polarizing beamsplitter, which operates as described above, so that beams can be directed through either the front face, rear face, or both faces of the enclosure. 
     In a further embodiment, the mirror of the polarization-based spatial multiplexer is configured to transmit a portion of the optical radiation impinging on it. An optical sensor receives this transmitted portion of the optical radiation, and emits a signal that can be used, for example, for measuring the optical power of the beams transmitted by the polarizing beamsplitter or, if in a scanning system, the relative position of the optical output. 
       FIGS. 1A-B  and  1 C-D are schematic sectional side views and schematic top views, respectively, of an optoelectronic apparatus  20  in two alternative polarization configurations, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1C  is a top view of the configuration of  FIG. 1A , and  FIG. 1D  is a top view of the configuration of  FIG. 1D . Optoelectronic apparatus  20  includes an emitter array  22 , projection optics  26 , a polarization-based spatial multiplexer  28 , an enclosure  30 , and a controller  32 . Enclosure  30  has a front face  31  and a rear face  33 . For the sake of simplicity, enclosure  30  is omitted from  FIGS. 1C-D . In addition, any actuating mechanisms that would be provided to scan the optical output are likewise omitted for clarity. 
     Emitter array  22  includes emitters  24  arranged along the x-axis of Cartesian coordinate axes  34 , which are shown for reference next to  FIGS. 1A-B  and  FIGS. 1C-D , respectively. Emitters  24  emit beams of optical radiation with a common polarization and with the z-axis as the principal direction of emission. Projection optics  26  include a lens array  38  of first cylindrical lenses  40 , wherein the entrance faces of the first cylindrical lenses define an entrance face  42  of projection optics  26 . First cylindrical lenses  40  are oriented so that their cylinder axes are mutually parallel along the y-axis (perpendicular to the line of emitters  24 ). Projection optics  26  further include a second cylindrical lens  46 , whose exit face defines an exit face  50  of projection optics  26 . Second cylindrical lens  46  is positioned adjacent to lens array  38 , and oriented with its cylinder axis along the x-axis (perpendicular to the cylinder axes of first cylindrical lenses  40 ). 
     Polarization-based spatial multiplexer  28  includes a polarization switcher  52 , which is positioned adjacent to second cylindrical lens  46 . Polarization switcher  52  may comprise, for example, a liquid crystal cell, which applies an electrically-switchable rotation of polarization to the incident beams. Polarization-based spatial multiplexer  28  further includes a polarizing beamsplitter  58 , positioned adjacent to polarization switcher  52  and oriented typically at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the z-axis. Polarization-based spatial multiplexer  28  also includes a mirror  60 , positioned adjacent to polarizing beamsplitter  58  and oriented typically at an angle of −45 degrees with respect to the z-axis, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to that of the polarizing beamsplitter in the present example. 
     Enclosure  30  has a first exit window  62  adjacent to polarizing beamsplitter  58  and a second exit window  64  adjacent to mirror  60 . Exit windows  62  and  64  are manufactured of a material that is transparent to the emission spectrum of emitters  24 . Alternatively, exit windows  62  and  64  may simply be openings in enclosure  30 . 
     Controller  32  is coupled to and drives both emitter array  22  and polarization switcher  52 . Although controller  32  is shown in  FIGS. 1A-B  to be positioned inside enclosure  30 , it may alternatively be positioned outside the enclosure. In some embodiments, the controller is programmed in software and/or firmware to carry out the functions that are described herein. Additionally or alternatively, at least some of the functions of the controller may be carried out by hardware logic circuits, which may be hard-wired or programmable. In either case, the controller has suitable interfaces for receiving and transmitting data and instructions to and from other elements of the optoelectronic apparatus, as well as other apparatus with which the optoelectronic apparatus is integrated. 
     The functioning of optoelectronic apparatus  20  is shown schematically in  FIGS. 1A-D  by optical rays  66  denoting the beams of optical radiation emitted by emitters  24  and passed through the apparatus. Each beam emitted by an emitter  24  is received by one first cylindrical lens  40  in lens array  38 . First cylindrical lenses  40  collimate the beams in the x-direction and project them toward second cylindrical lens  46 , which in turn collimates the beams in the y-direction and projects them toward polarization switcher  52 . Polarization switcher  52  imposes on the beams a common polarization state determined by controller  32 , and passes the beams to polarizing beamsplitter  58 . Depending on the polarization state of the beams, polarizing beamsplitter  58  either reflects, transmits or partially reflects and partially transmits the beams. The reflected beams are emitted through first exit window  62 , whereas the transmitted beams are reflected by mirror  60  and emitted through second exit window  64 . 
       FIGS. 2A-B  are a two views of a schematic solid model of an optoelectronic apparatus  80 , in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of optoelectronic apparatus  80 , and  FIG. 2B  is a side view of the same apparatus. Optoelectronic apparatus  80  is similar to optoelectronic apparatus  20  of  FIGS. 1A-D , with the addition of an emitter array  82  and a partially-transmitting mirror  94 , in place of mirror  60 , with an optical sensor  84  added behind the partially-transmitting mirror. For the components substantially identical to those in  FIGS. 1A-D , the same labels are used. Cartesian coordinate axes  86  are shown for reference next to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , respectively. 
     Emitter array  82 , comprising emitters  90 , is assembled on a substrate  92 , such as a printed-circuit board or silicon optical bench. Emitters  90  are typically edge-emitting laser diodes, which are inherently polarized. Controller  32  of  FIGS. 1A-D  is not shown in  FIGS. 2A-B , but may be integrated onto substrate  92 . 
     The functional description of optoelectronic apparatus  80  is identical to that of optoelectronic apparatus  20 , above, except that a portion of the beams impinging on mirror  94  is transmitted by the mirror and received by optical sensor  84 . Optical sensor  84  is typically coupled to controller  32 , and may be used, for example, for measuring and regulating the power emitted by emitters  90 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective illustration of an optoelectronic apparatus  100 , in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. For the components substantially identical to those in  FIGS. 1A-D  and  2 A-B, the same labels are used. Cartesian coordinate axes  102  are shown for reference. Cartesian coordinate axes  102  have been rotated by 180 degrees around the z-axis as compared to Cartesian coordinate axes  86  of  FIG. 2A  to follow the 180 degree rotation the optics of optical apparatus  100  relative to the orientation of optical apparatus  80 . 
     Optoelectronic apparatus  100  includes an emitter array  104  of first emitters  106  and second emitters  108 . First emitters  106  emit optical radiation linearly polarized in the x-direction, and second emitters  108  emit optical radiation linearly polarized in the y-direction. Both first emitters  106  and second emitters  108  are positioned in emitter array  104  along a line in the x-direction, with alternating first and second emitters, forming pairs of first and second emitters so that each pair is aligned with one cylindrical lens  40 . Emitters  106  and  108  may comprise, for example, edge-emitting lasers with perpendicular orientations or, alternatively, surface-emitting lasers with suitable polarizers. 
     Optoelectronic apparatus  100  further includes projection optics  26 , including (as in  FIGS. 2A-B ) lens array  38  of first cylindrical lenses  40  and second cylindrical lens  46 , with the cylinder axes of the first cylindrical lenses and the second cylindrical lens oriented, respectively, in the y- and x-directions. (For the sake of simplicity, the outlines of projection optics  26  are not shown in  FIG. 3 .) As in  FIGS. 1A-D  and  2 A-B, the entrance faces of first cylindrical lenses  40  define entrance face  42  of projection optics  26 , and the exit face of second cylindrical lens  46  defines exit face  50  of the projection optics. 
     Optoelectronic apparatus  100  also includes a polarization-based spatial multiplexer including polarizing beamsplitter  58  and partially transmitting mirror  94 . Optical sensor  84  is positioned adjacent to partially transmitting mirror  94 . Controller  32 , coupled to emitter array  104  and optical sensor  84 , drives first and second emitters  106  and  108  separately or simultaneously, and receives signals emitted by the optical sensor. 
     The functioning of optoelectronic apparatus  100  is shown schematically in  FIG. 3 , with optical rays  110  and  112  denoting the beams of optical radiation emitted by first and second emitters  106  and  108 , respectively, and projected by the apparatus. The beams are received through entrance face  42 , with each first cylindrical lens  40  receiving one beam from one first emitter  106  and one beam from one second emitter  108 . Projection optics  26  collimate the beams in the x- and y-directions as in  FIGS. 1A-D , and project them through exit face  50  toward polarizing beamsplitter  58 . Beams from first emitters  106 , depicted by optical rays  110 , are reflected by polarizing beamsplitter  58  to first exit window  62  and are emitted through the window. Beams from second emitters  108 , depicted by optical rays  112 , are transmitted by polarizing beamsplitter  58  and reflected by partially transmitting mirror  94  to second exit window  64  and are emitted through the window. A portion of rays  112  passes through partially transmitting mirror  94  and is received by optical sensor (transmitted rays not shown). Optical sensor  84 , coupled to controller  32 , may be used, for example, for measuring the power emitted by second emitters  108 . 
     When controller  32  energizes only first emitters  106 , only rays  110  are present, and optical radiation is emitted only through first exit window  62 . Similarly, when controller  32  energizes only second emitters  108 , only rays  112  are present, and optical radiation is emitted only through second exit window  64 . 
     The compact size of optoelectronic apparatus  100  is indicated by a scale  114 , wherein the length of the scale is 2 mm. Alternatively, the elements of apparatus  100  may be made to a larger or smaller scale, depending on application requirements. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective illustration of an optoelectronic apparatus  120 , in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention. For the components substantially identical to those in  FIG. 3 , the same labels are used. Cartesian coordinate axes  122 , rotated similarly to Cartesian coordinate axes  102 , are shown for reference. 
     Optoelectronic apparatus  120  includes an emitter array  124  of first emitters  126  and second emitters  128 . First emitters  126  emit optical radiation linearly polarized in the x-direction, and second emitters  128  emit optical radiation linearly polarized in the y-direction. First emitters  126  and second emitters  128  are positioned, respectively, along two parallel straight lines in the x-direction, with each first emitter  126  aligned above a second emitter  128  in the y-direction, forming pairs of first and second emitters so that each pair is aligned with one cylindrical lens  40 . The remaining elements of apparatus  120  are similar to those shown and described above. 
     The functioning of optoelectronic apparatus  120  is shown schematically in  FIG. 4 , with optical rays  130  and  132  denoting the beams of optical radiation emitted by first and second emitters  126  and  128 , respectively, and passed through the apparatus. 
     The beams are received through entrance face  42 , with each first cylindrical lens  40  receiving one beam from one first emitter  126  and one beam from one second emitter  128 . Projection optics  26  collimate the beams in the x- and y-directions as in  FIGS. 1A-D , and project them through exit face  50  to polarizing beamsplitter  58 . Beams from first emitters  126 , depicted by optical rays  130 , are reflected by polarizing beamsplitter  58  to first exit window  62  and are emitted through the window. Beams from second emitters  128 , depicted by optical rays  132 , are transmitted by polarizing beamsplitter  58  and reflected by partially-transmitting mirror  94  to second exit window  64  and are emitted through the window. 
     When controller  32  energizes only first emitters  126 , only rays  130  are present, and optical radiation is emitted only through first exit window  62 . Similarly, when controller  32  energizes only second emitters  128 , only rays  132  are present, and optical radiation is emitted only through second exit window  64 . 
     The compact size of optoelectronic apparatus  120  is indicated by a scale  134 , wherein the length of the scale is 2 mm. 
     Although the disclosed embodiments refer to optical beams being emitted through the front face and the rear face of the enclosure, the polarization-based spatial multiplexer may be modified in a straightforward manner to emit the beams through other faces of the enclosure, such as through faces at right angles to each other or through two windows on the same face. 
     It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed in the prior art.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20181104
Publication Date: 20191015
Grant Date: 20191015
Priority Date: 20180118
Inventors: MACKINNON, NEIL
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G02B27/0966", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0911", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B19/0057", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F21V9/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B19/0014", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/283", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F21V9/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B19/0057", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B19/0014", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/505", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0911", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/285", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04J14/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/2504", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/283", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04J14/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04J14/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/285", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/505", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F21V9/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/283", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/25891", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 67214459