Depth imaging at kilometer range using time-correlated single-photon counting at wavelengths of 850 nm and 1560 nm

Gerald S. Buller; Aongus McCarthy; Ximing Ren; Nathan R. Gemmell; Robert J. Collins; Nils J. Krichel; Michael G. Tanner; Andrew M. Wallace; Sandor Dorenbos; Val Zwiller; Robert H. Hadfield

doi:10.1117/12.965890

10 October 2012 Depth imaging at kilometer range using time-correlated single-photon counting at wavelengths of 850 nm and 1560 nm

Gerald S. Buller, Aongus McCarthy, Ximing Ren, Nathan R. Gemmell, Robert J. Collins, Nils J. Krichel, Michael G. Tanner, Andrew M. Wallace, Sandor Dorenbos, Val Zwiller, Robert H. Hadfield

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8460, Biosensing and Nanomedicine V; 84601I (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.965890
Event: SPIE NanoScience + Engineering, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Active depth imaging approaches are being used in a number of emerging applications, for example in environmental sensing, manufacturing and defense. The high sensitivity and picosecond timing resolution of the time-correlated single-photon counting technique can provide distinct advantages in the trade-offs between required illumination power, range, depth resolution and data acquisition durations. These considerations must also address requirements for eye-safety, especially in applications requiring outdoor, kilometer range sensing. We present a scanning time-of-flight imager based on MHz repetition-rate pulsed illumination operating with sub-milliwatt average power. The use of a scanning mechanism permits operation with an individual, high-performance single-photon detector. The system has been used with a number of non-cooperative targets, in different weather conditions and various ambient light conditions. We consider a number of system issues, including the range ambiguity issue and scattering from multiple surfaces. The initial work was performed at wavelengths around 850 nm for convenient use with Si-based single photon avalanche diode detectors, however we will also discuss the performance at a wavelength of 1560 nm, made using superconducting nanowire single photon detectors. The use of the latter wavelength band allows access to a low-loss atmospheric window, as well as greatly reduced solar background contribution and less stringent eye safety considerations. We consider a range of optical design configurations and discuss the performance trade-offs and future directions in more detail.

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Gerald S. Buller, Aongus McCarthy, Ximing Ren, Nathan R. Gemmell, Robert J. Collins, Nils J. Krichel, Michael G. Tanner, Andrew M. Wallace, Sandor Dorenbos, Val Zwiller, and Robert H. Hadfield "Depth imaging at kilometer range using time-correlated single-photon counting at wavelengths of 850 nm and 1560 nm", Proc. SPIE 8460, Biosensing and Nanomedicine V, 84601I (10 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.965890

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