Diamond Bar, CA, United States of America

Xiaotian Steve Yao

This inventor holds 58 USPTO granted patents and 1 published patent application, primarily in Optical Sensing (CPC class G02B). Top assignees: General Photonics Corporation, California Institute of Technology, Suzhou Optoring Technology Co. Ltd.. Active years: 1997-2023.

IDiyas Innovation Intelligence. (2026). Inventor Profile: Xiaotian Steve Yao. Retrieved from https://idiyas.com/inventor/xiaotian-steve-yao

Data source: USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) public patent records. Weekly synchronization. How IDiyas builds this profile

USPTO Granted Patents = 58 

% Patents Active = 98.3

Average Co-Inventor Count = 1.3

ph-index = 18

Forward Citations = 1,279(Granted Patents)

Forward Citations (Not Self Cited) = 1,052(Dec 10, 2025)


Inventors with similar research interests:


Location History:

  • Diamond Bay, CA (US) (2002)
  • Diamond Bar, CA (US) (1997 - 2022)
  • Las Vegas, NV (US) (2022 - 2023)
  • Huntington Beach, CA (US) (2023)

Company Filing History:


Years Active: 1997-2023

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Areas of Expertise:
LiDAR Systems
Polarization Analysis
Fiber Optic Sensors
Optical Gyroscopes
Distributed Sensing
Optical Communication
Temperature Sensors
Optical Characterization
Birefringent Materials
Optical Waveguides
Stress Measurement
Optical Polarization
58 patents (USPTO):Explore Patents

Title: Innovations and Contributions of Xiaotian Steve Yao

Introduction: Xiaotian Steve Yao, based in Diamond Bar, CA, has made significant contributions to the field of photonics and optical sensing technologies. With a remarkable portfolio of 58 patents, Yao has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge innovations that have wide-ranging applications, particularly in light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems.

Latest Patents: Among his latest patents, two stand out for their technological advancements. The first is focused on "Optical sensing based on wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) light at different wavelengths in light detection and ranging LiDAR systems". This patent outlines designs and implementations that project light at various WDM wavelengths, thereby reducing the number of components, complexity, weight, and cost of LiDAR systems for numerous applications.

The second patent, titled “Sine-cosine optical frequency detection devices for photonics integrated circuits and applications in LiDAR and other distributed optical sensing,” describes a novel optical frequency detection device. This technology is implemented in photonics integrated circuits (PIC), utilizing two Mach-Zehnder interferometers with carefully designed delay imbalances to produce phase differences. The resulting signals allow for precise measurement of optical frequencies, enabling improved functionality for applications in LiDAR technology.

Career Highlights: Xiaotian Steve Yao has built his career working with prominent organizations, notably General Photonics Corporation. His expertise has paved the way for substantial advancements in photonics and optical detection methods, placing him as a significant figure in this specialized field.

Collaborations: Throughout his career, Yao has collaborated with notable professionals in the industry, including Xiaojun James Chen and Lutfollah Maleki. Their collective efforts have contributed to innovations that push the boundaries of what is possible in optical technology.

Conclusion: Xiaotian Steve Yao’s extensive patent portfolio and innovative contributions showcase his pivotal role in the evolution of photonics and optical sensing. With the advancements from his recent patents, Yao continues to influence the future of LiDAR systems and related applications, confirming his status as a leading inventor in this dynamic field.

Profile summary based on public USPTO records.
Data Sources: USPTO Patent Grant XML, Patent Center, EPO & CIPO • Normalized by IDiyas Innovation Graph. Methodology & provenance architecturePlease report any incorrect information to [email protected]
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