US Patent 12123985 Three-dimensional imaging and sensing applications using polarization specific VCSELS

Polarized light is produced using a VCSEL light source, wherein at least some of the polarized light is reflected or scattered by an object. At least some of the reflected or scattered polarized light is received in a sensor that is operable selectively to detect received light having a same polarization as the light produced by the VCSEL light source. In some instances, signals from the sensor are processed to obtain a three-dimensional distance image of the object or are processed using a time-of-flight technique to determine a distance to the object.