25 June 2018

Finisar demos VCSEL and diffractive optics technology for 3D sensing applications at Sensors Expo

© Semiconductor Today Magazine / Juno PublishiPicture: Disco’s DAL7440 KABRA laser saw.

Finisar Corp of Sunnyvale, CA, USA, which makes optical communication modules and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) for 3D sensing applications, is giving several demonstrations and product displays in booth #1330 at the Sensors Expo 2018 in San Jose McEnery Convention Center (27-28 June).

Finisar is demonstrating VCSEL arrays and diffractive optics technology used in a wide range of 3D depth-sensing and infrared (IR) imaging applications, such as 3D facial recognition in consumer mobile devices. It will also have samples of a highly integrated 1550nm coherent transmitter and receiver module for next-generation LiDAR applications.

VCSEL technology demo

A live demonstration of IR illumination for 3D sensing using VCSELs and diffractive optics technology will show IR light-field measurements made in real-time for 3D time-of-flight (ToF) and 2D IR imaging applications. Advantages of VCSEL technology including high output power, high uniformity across an extended source area, stable wavelength across temperature and high reliability, which are important for both IR illumination and stringent automotive applications. Finisar says that its VCSEL expertise stems from over two decades of research, design and manufacturing innovation.

“VCSEL technology is now being deployed in a wide range of exciting applications from biometric authentication to 3D mapping for augmented reality to automotive LiDAR,” comments Craig Thompson, VP of marketing & business development for 3D Sensing.

Diffractive lenses and beam converter demo

Finisar is also demonstrating all-dielectric diffractive lenses and beam converters that use a proven deep ultraviolet (DUV) photolithography patterning process. Applications include aberration corrected microlenses, top-hat generators, phase converters and computer-generated holograms. The diffractive elements are etched directly into a substrate and contain no organic materials, which allows them to withstand high optical power and extreme temperatures up to 550°C.

LiDAR coherent optical engine display

Finisar is showcasing a LiDAR coherent optical engine that is designed to enable long-distance resolution up to 300m for applications such as autonomous driving vision systems. The small package integrates a wavelength-tunable laser, a transmitter phase modulator and a coherent receiver. The laser can be tuned across 4THz, allowing solid-state beam steering to replace less reliable rotating mirrors and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The phase modulator and coherent detection enable the distance and velocity of an object to be determined from a single scan using the Doppler effect.

During the Sensors Expo, Finisar is also displaying several partner reference designs leveraging VCSEL technology.

Tags: Finisar

Visit: www.sensorsexpo.com

Visit: www.finisar.com