nLIGHT. has been granted a patent for a 3D imaging system utilizing a Fabry-Perot cavity. The system features an electro-optic material and electrodes to modulate incident light, enabling the acquisition of 3D data from scenes. A light sensor converts the modulated light into electronic signals for analysis. GlobalData’s report on nLIGHT gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s company profile on nLIGHT, Welding robots was a key innovation area identified from patents. nLIGHT's grant share as of July 2024 was 45%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

3d imaging system using electro-optic modulation for light

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: nLIGHT Inc

The granted patent US12066546B2 describes a 3D imaging system that integrates an intensity modulator with an angular acceptance equivalent to at least an f/3.5 lens. Central to this system is a Fabry-Perot cavity featuring two partially-reflective surfaces designed for high-contrast light transmission, achieving a reflectivity of at least 80%. The system incorporates an electro-optic material positioned within the cavity, allowing some incident light to pass through while maintaining a finesse that enhances angular acceptance. The design includes electrodes that generate an electric field within the electro-optic material, modulated by a voltage driver to temporally alter the light passing through. A light sensor captures the exiting light and converts it into electronic signals for further processing.

Additionally, the patent outlines various configurations and materials for the electro-optic component, including options such as potassium iodate, lithium niobate, and various polymers. The system can utilize transparent longitudinal or transverse electrodes, which may be segmented for enhanced performance. The processor subsystem linked to the light sensor is responsible for generating 3D image data based on the received signals and can also control the voltage driver for electric field modulation. The patent further details methods for capturing 3D data, emphasizing the role of the electro-optic material in modulating incident light and the subsequent generation of 3D data from the electronic signals produced by the sensor.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.