A polarimetric scanning LADAR: system development and performance analysis

Markushin, Yuri; Calvano, Nicholas; Pati, G. S.; Tripathi, Renu

doi:10.1117/12.2050469

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The scanning LADAR system we have developed in the laboratory uses a Q-switched, high power Nd: YAG laser operating at 1064 nm to illuminate a distant target [16]. The laser produces 9 ns pulses with about 1 mJ peak energy.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-pulse detection technique to improve the timing/range resolution in a scanning LADAR system

2015

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The temporal resolution of a LADAR system is primarily decided by the pulse duration of the laser source, response time of the detector and the resolution of the processing electronics. A combination of the timing jitter associated with these components can deteriorate the system performance by reducing the range resolution of the complete system. The range information in a LADAR system is obtained by measuring the time-of-flight using an electronic time-to-amplitude converter or a multi-channel analyzer. In this paper, we discuss a multi-pulse detection scheme which can be utilized to improve the range resolution of a LADAR system, and allow us to determine the target range with higher accuracy. We present results showing improvement by a factor of three in the range resolution of the scanning LADAR system using this scheme in our laboratory.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-pulse detection technique to improve the timing/range resolution in a scanning LADAR system

2015

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“…Also, numerous technical applications have used these materials that have some degree of ordering in the arrangement of its molecules, as solid crystals, but they flow like a liquid [1][2][3] . Solar physics [4][5][6] , astronomy 7 , biomedicine 8,9 , atomic clocks [10][11][12] , LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) 13 and LADAR (LAser Detection And Ranging) 14,15 teledetection are some of the many fields where they are utilized. In particular, Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders (LCVRs) are used to modulate the polarization state of the light in many instruments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liquid crystal devices for compact optical space instruments

Álvarez-Herrero,

García Parejo,

Campos-Jara

et al. 2024

Polarization: Measurement, Analysis, and Remote Sensing XVI

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Our group in the Space Optics Department at INTA has been working during more than 20 years in the development of devices based on liquid crystals for optical payloads onboard space missions. Currently, there are three of our devices successfully in operation in the PHI and METIS instruments of the Solar Orbiter ESA/NASA mission. Therefore, they have the highest technology maturity level, TRL9 (Technology Readiness Level). To the best of our knowledge, we are pioneers of the use of polarization modulators based on liquid crystals in a telescope or a camera in a space platform.Liquid crystal devices avoid using standard solutions that involve mechanisms with rotatory polarization optical parts. Instead, we use this technology that minimizes the size, mass and power consumption of the device while maximizing its useful aperture and performance. These new capabilities open up new possibilities for small satellites that were previously only attainable by larger satellites. Liquid crystal-based polarization modulator technology is highly versatile and can be configured in multiple ways to suit diverse applications. It is based on the ability of liquid crystal variable retarders to control, modify and measure the polarization state of light, be it in an image or in a spot beam.The application fields are numerous, from Astrophysics to Earth Observation. This work will introduce some of the main instruments that we are working on: from the Vigil ESA mission for Space Weather to Quantum Communication Space Systems, and including the Miniature Absolute Magnetometer for the NanoMagSat mission of ESA's SCOUT Program. Also, we will show the development status of other liquid-crystal devices for compact space instrumentation that we are developing as Liquid Crystal Tunable Filters (LCTFs) and Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs).In October 2023, the INTA spinoff Eye4Sky was established to the exploitation and commercialization of this optical technology of liquid crystal devices for space applications. This deep-tech startup has been selected for the prestigious European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC) program.

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A polarimetric scanning LADAR: system development and performance analysis

Cited by 2 publications

References 8 publications

Multi-pulse detection technique to improve the timing/range resolution in a scanning LADAR system

Multi-pulse detection technique to improve the timing/range resolution in a scanning LADAR system

Liquid crystal devices for compact optical space instruments

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