POLARIZATION SWITCHABLE MULTI-ZONE ILLUMINATION SYSTEM USING A POLARIZATION SWITCHABLE LIGHT SOURCE AND POLARIZATION SENSITIVE OPTIC
A multi-zone illumination system includes a light source formed by first emitters configured to transmit a first light signal having a first polarization state and second emitters configured to transmit a second light signal having a second polarization state transverse to the first polarization state. An optic receives the first light signal and generates a first structured illumination of a first far field zone. The optic further receives the second light signal and generates a second structured illumination of a second far field zone. The first and second far field zones are offset from each other.
1 . A device, comprising:
a multi-zone illumination system, wherein said multi-zone illumination system comprises:
a light source including a first plurality of emitters configured to transmit a first light signal having a first polarization state, and a second plurality of emitters configured to transmit a second light signal having a second polarization state transverse to the first polarization state; and
an optic configured to receive the first light signal and generate a first structured illumination of a first far field zone and receive the second light signal and generate a second structured illumination of a second far field zone;
wherein the first and second far field zones are offset from each other.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second far field zones are adjacent each other.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second far field zones slightly overlap each other.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first polarization state is linear, and the second polarization state is orthogonal to the first polarization state.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of emitters and second plurality of emitters are arranged in an alternating pattern.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the optic includes a plurality of meta-elements that extend in a propagation direction of the first light signal and the second light signal.
7 . The device of claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of meta-elements has an asymmetrical shape.
8 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of meta-elements include a first set of meta-elements having a cross-sectional shape with a major axis extending in a first direction, and a second set of meta-elements having a cross-sectional shape with a major axis extending in a second direction transverse to the first direction.
9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of meta-elements include a third set of meta-elements having a cross-sectional shape that is substantially circular.
10 . The device of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of meta-elements are made of a first material and are encapsulated within a layer made of a second material.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the first material and second material have different indices of refraction.
12 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a light reception system configured to detect light generated in response to reflection of the first and second structured illuminations.
13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said optic is configured to alter a phase of the first light signal to produce the first structured illumination at the first far field zone and alter a phase of the second light signal to produce the second structured illumination are the second far field zone.
14 . The device of claim 1 , wherein first and second structured illuminations are dot projections.
15 . The device of claim 1 , wherein first and second structured illuminations are flood projections.
16 . The device of claim 1 , wherein first and second structured illuminations are grid projections.
17 . A method, comprising:
activating a first channel of a light source;
transmitting, by the first channel of the light source, a first light signal having a first polarization state;
generating, by an optic, a first structured illumination of a first far field zone in response to the first light signal;
activating a second channel of the light source;
transmitting, by the second channel of the light source, a second light signal having a second polarization state transverse to the first polarization state; and
generating, by the optic, a second structured illumination of a second far field zone in response to the second light signal;
wherein the first and second far field zones are offset from each other.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the first and second far field zones are adjacent each other.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the first and second far field zones slightly overlap each other.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the first polarization state is linear, and the second polarization state is orthogonal to the first polarization state.
21 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising alternating between activating the first channel and activating the second channel.
22 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising detecting light generated in response to reflection of the first and second structured illuminations.
23 . The method of claim 17 , wherein generating the first structured illumination comprises altering a phase of the first light signal by said optic to produce the first structured illumination at the first far field zone and wherein generating the second structured illumination comprises altering a phase of the second light signal by said optic to produce the second structured illumination are the second far field zone.
24 . The method of claim 17 , wherein first and second structured illuminations are dot projections.
25 . The method of claim 17 , wherein first and second structured illuminations are flood projections.
26 . The method of claim 17 , wherein first and second structured illuminations are grid projections.