Optical pulse generator and method for operating an optical pulse generator
The invention relates to an optical pulse generator comprising an active optical component adapted to emit optical radiation and electronic components of a means for electronically driving the optical component to excite the optical component to a pulsed emission of optical radiation, wherein the electronic components are arranged on a first side of a first submount, contact surfaces of the means for electronically driving are arranged on an opposite second side of the first submount, and the electronic components are connected to the contact surfaces of the means for electronically driving using electrically conductive vias in the first submount.
1. An optical pulse generator comprising:
an active optical component adapted to emit optical radiation, wherein the optical component has contact surfaces for electrical contacting;
means for electronically driving the optical component adapted to excite the optical component to a pulsed emission of optical radiation, wherein the means for electronically driving comprises contact surfaces for electrical contacting as well as electronic components, and at least one contact surface of the means for electronically driving is connected directly or by means of a solder point to at least one contact surface of the optical component;
a first submount, wherein the means for electronically driving is arranged on the first submount, wherein the electronic components are arranged on a first side of the first submount, the contact surfaces of the means for electronically driving are arranged on an opposite second side of the first submount, and the electronic components are connected to the contact surfaces of the means for electronically driving using electrically conductive vias in the first submount; and
a second submount, wherein the optical component is arranged on the second submount, wherein the optical component is arranged between the first submount and the second submount.
2. The optical pulse generator of claim 1 , wherein the optical component is completely recessed in a recess in the surface of the second submount.
3. The optical pulse generator of claim 1 , wherein the contact surfaces of the means for electronically driving are made of a metal.
4. The optical pulse generator of claim 1 , wherein the optical component is clamped between the first submount and the second submount.
5. The optical pulse generator of claim 1 , wherein the first submount is a flexible circuit board and the means for electronically driving is a high frequency circuit for electronically exciting the optical component to a pulsed emission of optical radiation.
6. The optical pulse generator of claim 1 , wherein the means for electronically driving is adapted to apply an individual signature to the radiation pulses emitted by the optical component via variable pulse width modulation.
7. A LiDAR system comprising an optical pulse generator adapted to imprint an individual pulse signature to the optical pulses used as LiDAR pulses comprising:
an active optical component adapted to emit optical radiation, wherein the optical component has contact surfaces for electrical contacting;
means for electronically driving the optical component adapted to excite the optical component to a pulsed emission of optical radiation, wherein the means for electronically driving comprises contact surfaces for electrical contacting as well as electronic components, wherein at least one contact surface of the means for electronically driving is connected directly or by means of a solder point to at least one contact surface of the optical component;
a first submount, wherein the means for electronically driving is arranged on the first submount, wherein the electronic components are arranged on a first side of the first submount, the contact surfaces of the means for electronically driving are arranged on an opposite second side of the first submount, and the electronic components are connected to the contact surfaces of the means for electronically driving using electrically conductive vias in the first submount;
a second submount, wherein the optical component is arranged on the second submount, wherein the optical component is arranged between the first submount and the second submount.
8. A method of operating an optical pulse generator comprising:
providing an active optical component, wherein the optical component has contact surfaces for electrical contacting;
providing a means for electronically driving the optical component, wherein the means for electronically driving has contact surfaces for electrical contacting as well as electronic components;
providing a first submount, wherein the means for electronically driving is arranged on the first submount, wherein the electronic components are arranged on a first side of the first submount, the contact surfaces of the means for electronically driving are arranged on an opposite second side of the first submount, and the electronic components are connected to the contact surfaces of the means for electronically driving using electrically conductive vias in the first submount;
providing a second submount, wherein the optical component is arranged on the second submount;
arranging the optical component between the first submount and the second submount, wherein at least one contact surface of the means for electronically driving is connected directly or by means of a solder point to the contact surfaces of the optical component;
clamping the optical component between the first submount and the second submount;
exciting the optical component to a pulsed emission of optical radiation via the means for electronically driving.