Angle Sensitive Optical Sensor for Light Source Tracker Miniaturization

An angle sensitive optical sensor without conventional optics is presented in this article. The reported device omits the need for adding 3-D optics in postprocessing by monolithic integration of complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor compatible diffraction grating layers, which cuts down the fabrication costs and allows for miniaturization of these types of sensors. The sensor resolves angular information from a monochromatic light source over a single axis with a mean absolute accuracy of 0.6 degrees in an investigated +/- 26 degrees field-of-view using four unique pixels. This letter facilitates miniaturization of light source trackers, such as sun position sensors on small satellites of the future.

Automated summary

This article presents an angle sensitive optical sensor that eliminates the need for conventional optics through the monolithic integration of diffraction grating layers. This device reduces fabrication costs and allows for miniaturization. The sensor can accurately resolve angular information from a monochromatic light source over a single axis, making it suitable for miniaturized light source trackers.