Abstract:
An apparatus for producing structured light comprises a first optical arrangement which comprises a microlens array (L1) comprising a multitude of transmissive or reflective microlenses (2) which are regularly arranged at a lens pitch P and an illumination unit for illuminating the microlens array. The illumination unit comprises an array (S1) of light sources (1) for emitting light of a wavelength L each and having an aperture each, wherein the apertures are located in a common emission plane which is located at a distance D from the microlens array. For the lens pitch P, the distance D and the wavelength L, the following equation applies P 2 = 2LD/N, wherein N is an integer with N ≥ 1. High- contrast high-intensity light patterns can be produced. Devices comprising such apparatuses can be used for depth mapping.
Abstract:
Various optoelectronic modules are described and include one or more optoelectronic devices. Each optoelectronic module includes one or more optoelectronic devices. Sidewalls laterally surround each optoelectronic device and can be in direct contact with sides of the optoelectronic device or, in some cases, with an overmold surrounding the optoelectronic device. The sidewalls can be composed, for example, of a vacuum injected material that is non-transparent to light emitted by or detectable by the optoelectronic device. The module also includes a passive optical element. Depending on the implementation, the passive optical element can be on a cover for the module, directly on a top surface of the optoelectronic device, or on an overmold surrounding the optoelectronic device. Methods of fabricating such modules are described as well, and can facilitate manufacturing the modules using wafer-level processes.
Abstract:
Various features can be provided to help reduce or alleviate the effects of thermal expansion/contraction of a lens array material. Such features include stress release cuts in the surface(s) of the lens array, a frame having a low constant of thermal expansion (CTE) embedded within the lens array, or polymer fibers wrapped around the lens array or around the lens array housing. The features can be used alone or in conjunction with one or more of the other features for reducing or alleviating the effects of the thermal expansion/contraction. In addition, one or more parts of a housing for the lens array can be composed of a material having a relatively low CTE. The lens array package can be incorporated into a camera or other image capturing device.
Abstract:
Opto-electronic modules include conductive wiring and connections that can facilitate integrating the modules into an external device. Some opto-electronic modules include an opto-electronic stack that includes at least one lens and an opto-electronic element. Conductive paths can extend from the bottom to the top of the module. The conductive paths can include conductive pads on the surface of the opto-electronic element, as well as wiring at least partially embedded in a substrate and walls of a housing for the opto-electronic stack. Conductive connections can be disposed between a top surface of the substrate and the bottom surface of the walls such that the conductive connections electrically connect the second wiring to the first wiring and to the conductive pads on the surface of the opto-electronic element. The modules can be fabricated, for example, in wafer-level processes so that multiple opto-electronic modules can be manufactured at the same time.
Abstract:
An optical proximity sensor module includes a substrate, a light emitter mounted on a first surface of the substrate, the light emitter being operable to emit light at a first wavelength, and a light detector mounted on the first surface of the substrate, the light detector being operable to detect light at the first wavelength. The module includes an optics member disposed substantially parallel to the substrate, and a separation member disposed between the substrate and the optics member. The separation member may surround the light emitter and the light detector, and may include a wall portion that extends from the substrate to the optics member and that separates the light emitter and the light detector from one another. The separation member may be composed, for example, of a non-transparent polymer material containing a pigment, such as carbon black.
Abstract:
The optical device comprises a first substrate (SI) comprising at least one optical structure (1) comprising a main portion (2) and a surrounding portion (3) at least partially surrounding said main portion. The device furthermore comprises non-transparent material (5, 5a, 5b) applied onto said surrounding portion. The opto-electronic module comprises a plurality of these optical devices comprised in said first substrate. The method for manufacturing an optical device comprises the steps of • a) providing a first substrate comprising at least one optical structure comprising a main portion and a surrounding portion at least partially surrounding said main portion; and • b) applying a non-transparent material onto at least said surrounding portion. Said non-transparent material is present on at least said surrounding portion still in the finished optical device.
Abstract:
The device (50) comprises an optics member (60) and a spacer member (70), said optics member comprising N ≥ 2 sets of passive optical components (65) comprising one or more passive optical components each. The spacer member (70) comprises N light channels (77), each of said N light channels being associated with one of said N sets of passive optical components. All of said N light channels (77) have an at least substantially identical geometrical length (g), and an optical path length of a first of said N light channels is different from an optical path length of at least one second of said N light channels. Methods for manufacturing such devices are described, too. The invention can allow to mass produce high-precision devices (50) at a high yield.
Abstract:
The device comprises at least one optics member (O) comprising at least one transparent portion (t) and at least one blocking portion (b). The at least one transparent portion (t) is made of one or more materials substantially transparent for light of at least a specific spectral range, referred to as transparent materials, and the at least one blocking portion (b) is made of one or more materials substantially non-transparent for light of said specific spectral range, referred to as non-transparent materials. The transparent portion (t) comprises at least one passive optical component (L). The at least one passive optical component (L) comprises a transparent element (6) having two opposing at least approximately flat surfaces substantially perpendicular to a vertical direction in a distance at least approximately equal to a thickness of said at least one blocking portion (b) measured along said vertical direction, and, attached to said transparent element (6), at least one optical structure (5). The method for manufacturing a device comprising at least one passive optical component (L) comprises providing a wafer comprising at least one blocking portion (b) and a multitude of transparent elements (6).
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a plurality of optical devices comprising the steps of: - Providing a replication tool (1), the replication tool comprising a replication surface defining an array of replication cells, each replication cell comprising a lens replication portion (2) and a spacer replication portion ( 3 ), wherein the spacer replication portion on the replication tool is more indented than the lens replication portion, - Bringing the replication tool and a support (6) in contact with each other with replication material (11) between the replication surface and the support, - Causing the replication material to harden, - Wherein the lens replication sections are caused to be kept at a distance from the support when the support rests against the replication tool, - Removing the replication tool, and - Separating the hardened replication material into individual optical devices, each device having a replicated surface portion with a structure corresponding to a negative of a replication cell and comprising a spacer portion and a lens portion, wherein the lens portion is recessed with respect to the spacer portion.
Abstract:
The present disclosure describes image sensor modules that can include auto focus control. The modules also include features that can help reduce or eliminate tilt of the module's optical sub-assembly with respect to the plane of the image sensor. In some instances, the modules include features to facilitate highly precise positioning of the optical sub-assembly, and also can result in modules having a very small z height.