On-Chip métasUrfaces LidAR – OCULAR

The issue of rapid global urbanization is seriously affecting all ecological systems, imposing new forms of mobility, production and distribution methods. Automotive and robotics are major segments of the industry that are today concerned with these important upheavals. The objective of this program is to participate to the development of these rapidly growing industrial sectors, by maturating imaging prototypes able to acquire 3D information on the landscape and the environment at high refreshing frame rates. The apparatus proposed herein provide real-time 3D vision to vehicles (both in civil and military context) and logistic equipment, addressing the needs of these growing markets, while employing newly accessible but scalable technological photonic solutions. The system of interest relies on a Metasurface-assisted Light imaging Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). It leverages on the light manipulation capabilities of active metasurfaces to improve the imaging frame rate, field of view and resolution. After exploring the basic possibilities offered by this new architecture, our proposal further extends knowledge and results obtained during an ERC PoC and a CNRS “prématuration” programs.

Mapping the environment with ultrafast scanners allows to reach high frame rates and obtain fast response times. LiDAR techniques allow one to scan an environment to re-construct a point cloud that can be read or interpreted by robotic vision and defense systems. In this project, we introduce a new generation of LiDAR system, capable of outputting extremely high frame rates and outperforming the current technology. More specifically, we will mature a new solution for ultrafast, compact, and efficient LiDAR scanning modules, to reduce the size, weight, and high cost of traditional systems without sacrificing the imaging performances. We will pursuit the development leveraging from two distinct and patented technologies developed in our laboratory, namely GEN0 (passive) and GEN1 (active). The former GEN0 technology stems from a successful ERC proof-of-concept project in which we developed an ultrafast, high FoV metasurface-LiDAR. Such technology has been published in a high-impact journal and recognized by CNRS in the cnrs “letter of innovation”. The principle is to cascade a passive metasurface with an active beam scanner device (acousto-optical deflector) to generate an extremely wide field of view of 150X150 degrees. The latter GEN1, or the novel "dielectric metasurface" beam scanning modules are based on mature liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, modernized with a sub-wavelength pixel architecture to reach the metasurface regime. Our programmable metasurface can significantly outperform all conventional LC devices, which have traditionally been unsuitable for LiDAR applications. The combination of well-established Liquid Crystal display technology with sub-wavelength metasurface architectures is compatible with semiconductor foundries, thus providing a path to mass production of nanophotonic devices for large-scale markets such as automotive, robotics and compact devices. Our team has been recently honored by the iPhD award of innovation for our project “AUTONOM” dealing with an “Active Liquid Crystal Metasurface” for LiDAR scanning modules. The accomplishment of OCULAR project will mature our developed technology to be able to perform long-range LiDAR imaging device. These could be mounted on terrestrial an aerials vehicles, but also to be utilized in binoculars for compact, performant and robust in-field application.