Google Inc.

North Corporation

Jörg Pierer

Douglas Raymond Dykaar

Rony Jose James

Stefan Mohrdiek

Martin Joseph Kiik

Syed Moez Haque

John Domm

Systems, devices, and methods for providing optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. The optical engines of the present disclosure may integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically or partially hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Wavelength stabilization for the laser diodes is achieved by controlling the temperature of the lasers to always be in a particular range of operating specifications which provides wavelength stabilization that meets particular performance criteria. The lasers themselves may be used for temperature control by selectively switching them on to maintain their temperature within a specified range. Alternatively, compact resistive heaters may be positioned proximate the laser diodes to control the temperature of the laser diodes during operation. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described. Additionally, optical systems for collimating and shifting light beams are described.

Wavelength stabilization of laser diodes by temperature control

Systems, devices, and methods for optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Such optical engines may have various advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

Free space multiple laser diode modules

A method of manufacturing an optical engine includes bonding a plurality of laser diodes directly or indirectly to a base substrate and coupling at least one laser diode driver circuit to the laser diodes. In operation the at least one laser diode driver circuit selectively drives current to the laser diodes. The method further includes bonding a plurality of collimation lenses to the base substrate proximate the plurality of laser diodes and bonding a cap including at least one wall and at least one optical window to the base substrate. The method also includes bonding a grating waveguide combiner proximate the optical window of the cap. In operation, the grating waveguide combiner receives a plurality of beams of light at a respective plurality of input grating couplers and combines the plurality of beams of light to provide a collimated aggregated beam of light at an output grating coupler.

Method of manufacturing a grating waveguide combiner for an optical engine

Systems, devices, and methods of manufacturing optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically or partially hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Photonic integrated circuits having grating couplers thereon may be used to wavelength multiplex beams of light emitted by the plurality of laser diodes into a coaxially superimposed aggregate beam. Such optical engines may have various advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

Wavelength combiner photonic integrated circuit with grating coupling of lasers

Systems, devices, and methods of manufacturing optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically or partially hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. Photonic integrated circuits having grating or edge couplers thereon may be used to wavelength multiplex beams of light emitted by the plurality of laser diodes into a coaxially superimposed aggregate beam. A waveguide medium having one or more directly written waveguides may couple light from laser diodes to a photonic integrated circuit, and may optionally hermetically or partially hermetically seal the laser diodes, eliminating the need for a separate seal. Such optical engines may have advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

Directly written waveguide for coupling of laser to photonic integrated circuit

Systems, devices, and methods of manufacturing optical engines and laser projectors that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. Generally, the optical engines of the present disclosure integrate a plurality of laser diodes (e.g., 3 laser diodes, 4 laser diodes) within a single, hermetically or partially hermetically sealed, encapsulated package. A grating waveguide combiner comprising a plurality of waveguides having grating couplers thereon may be used to combine beams of light emitted by the plurality of laser diodes into a coaxially superimposed aggregate beam. Such optical engines may have advantages over existing designs including, for example, smaller volumes, better manufacturability, faster modulation speed, etc. WHUDs that employ such optical engines and laser projectors are also described.

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Alpnach, Switzerland

Jörg Pierer