Comparison of 32 x 128 and 32 x 32 Geiger-mode APD FPAs for single photon 3D LADAR imaging

Itzler, Mark A.; Entwistle, Mark; Owens, Mark; Patel, Ketan M.; Jiang, Xudong; Slomkowski, Krystyna; Rangwala, Sabbir; Zalud, Peter F.; Senko, Tom; Tower, John R.; Ferraro, Joseph

doi:10.1117/12.884693

Cited by 29 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…SNSPD devices, although complicated, show very interesting features for future TOF range profiling and imaging systems. Moreover, future developments of GM and SPAD single-photon array detectors are anticipated enabling the development of flood illumination systems operating in the SWIR wavelength region [21][22][23]50]. Among the novel imaging techniques, the CS method may provide an interesting alternative for future 3D imaging application based on single-pixel detectors [27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, a 3D 32 × 32 GM-APD LADAR camera was demonstrated on different platforms, for example, terrain mapping and reconnaissance [21]. So far, 32 × 32 GM-APD FPAs have been investigated for airborne 3D applications but larger arrays, using 32 × 128 pixels, are under development [22,23]. Recently, several new detector approaches and TCSPC TOF schemes for 3D imaging have been reported [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Time-correlated single-photon counting range profiling and reflectance tomographic imaging

Sjöqvist

Henriksson

Jönsson

et al. 2014

Advanced Optical Technologies

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Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) range profiling and imaging provide high resolution laser radar data applicable in several optical remote sensing applications at short and long distances. Excellent range resolution, below centimetres, can be obtained and information about remote objects can be extracted from TCSPC range profiles. The present study describes a TCSPC range profiling system with subcentimetre range resolution applied for remote sensing of objects at short and longer ranges. Experimental results from interrogation of geometrical shapes, reflectance tomographic imaging and range profiling at longer distance in daylight conditions are presented.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time-correlated single-photon counting range profiling and reflectance tomographic imaging

Sjöqvist

Henriksson

Jönsson

et al. 2014

Advanced Optical Technologies

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“…MIT/ LL is working on pushing the wavelength even further. More recently two companies have commercialized Geiger mode APD arrays, Princeton Lightwave [16][17][18][19][20] and Boeing Spectralab. 21,22 Both of these companies have 3232 × 3232 array based cameras available at 1.06 μm, and at 1.55 μm.…”

Section: Geiger Mode Apd Based Flash 3-d Ladarmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of ladar: a historic, yet emerging, sensor technology with rich phenomenology

McManamon¹

2012

Opt. Eng

202

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Abstract. Ladar is becoming more prominent due to the maturation of its component technologies, especially lasers. There are many forms of ladar. There is simple two-dimensional (2-D) ladar, similar to a passive electro-optic sensor, but with controlled illumination and the ability to see at night even at short wavelengths. There is three-dimensional (3-D) ladar, with angle/angle/range information. 3-D images are very powerful because shape is an invariant. 3-D images can be easily rotated to various perspectives. You can add gray scale or color, just like passive, or 2-D ladar, imaging. You can add precise velocity measurement, including vibrations. Ladar generates orders of magnitude higher frequency change then microwave radar for velocity measurement, because frequency change is proportional to one over the wavelength. Orders of magnitude higher frequency change means you can measure a given velocity orders of magnitude quicker, in many cases making an accurate measurement possible. Polarization can be used. With an active sensor you control both the illumination and the reception, so you can pattern the illumination. Also, because ladar can use narrow band illumination it is easier to easier to coherently combine sub-aperture images to obtain the higher resolution of an array.

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“…Figure 1 illustrates that APD arrays allow for a higher pixel rate compared to p-i-n arrays, and at the same time, they provide a suppressed overall system noise. APD detector arrays with as high as 1-GHz pixel rate have been reported in the literature (Itzler et al, 2011).…”

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confidence: 99%

Advances on Sensitive Electron-Injection Based Cameras for Low-Flux, Short-Wave Infrared Applications

2016

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Short-wave infrared (SWIR) photon detection has become an essential technology in the modern world. Sensitive SWIR detector arrays with high pixel density, low noise levels, and high signal-to-noise-ratios are highly desirable for a variety of applications including biophotonics, light detection and ranging, optical tomography, and astronomical imaging. As such many efforts in infrared detector research are directed toward improving the performance of the photon detectors operating in this wavelength range. We review the history, principle of operation, present status, and possible future developments of a sensitive SWIR detector technology, which has demonstrated to be one of the most promising paths to high pixel density focal plane arrays (FPAs) for low flux applications. The so-called electron-injection (EI) detector was demonstrated for the first time in 2007. It offers an overall system-level sensitivity enhancement compared to the p-i-n diode due to a stable internal avalanche-free gain. The amplification method is inherently low noise, and devices exhibit an excess noise of unity. The detector operates in linear-mode and requires only bias voltage of a few volts. This together with the feedback stabilized gain mechanism, makes formation of large-format high pixel density electr on-injection FPAs less challenging compared to other detector technologies such as avalanche photodetectors. Detector is based on the mature InP material system and has a cutoff wavelength of 1700 nm. The layer structure consists of 500 nm InP injector/50 nm InAlAs etch stop/50 nm GaAsSb electron barrier (and hole trap)/1 μm InGaAs absorber. The epitaxial layers are grown on InP substrates. Electron-injection detector takes advantage of a unique three-dimensional geometry and combines the efficiency of a large absorbing volume with the sensitivity of a low-dimensional switch (injector) to sense and amplify signals. EI detectors have been designed, fabricated, and tested during two generations of development and optimization cycles. We review our imager results using the firstgeneration detectors. In the second-generation devices, the dark current is reduced by two orders of magnitude, and bandwidth is improved by four orders of magnitude. The dark current density of the second-generation EI detector is shown to outperform the stateof-the-art technology, the SWIR HgCdTe eAPD by more than one order of magnitude. We demonstrate a performance comparison with other SWIR detector technologies with internal amplification and show that the electron-injection detectors offer more than three orders of magnitude better noise-equivalent sensitivity compared with state-of-the-art phototransistors operating at similar temperature. Second-generation devices provide high-speed response ~6 ns rise time, low jitter ~12 ps, high amplification of more than FiGURe 1 | The trend in noise reduction for state-of-the-art SwiR imaging arrays with cutoff wavelength (λc) ~1-1.5 μm over the past 30 years: the equivalent input noise of the ROiC determines the ...

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Comparison of 32 x 128 and 32 x 32 Geiger-mode APD FPAs for single photon 3D LADAR imaging

Cited by 29 publications

References 12 publications

Time-correlated single-photon counting range profiling and reflectance tomographic imaging

Time-correlated single-photon counting range profiling and reflectance tomographic imaging

Review of ladar: a historic, yet emerging, sensor technology with rich phenomenology

Advances on Sensitive Electron-Injection Based Cameras for Low-Flux, Short-Wave Infrared Applications

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