Progress of Photonic-Crystal Surface-Emitting Lasers: A Paradigm Shift in LiDAR Application

Abstract

Nowadays, the flurry of autonomous vehicles is in full swing regarding light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and depth perception. For such visual perception, light plays an important role. We human beings recognize and distinguish surrounding details when the eye focuses light on the retina. For the LiDAR system, pulsed lasers are employed to measure the relevant range. Thus, appropriate light sources with high performance are in urgent demand. Auspiciously, a revolutionary semiconductor laser technology, namely the photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL), emerges over the past two decades. PCSEL exhibits not only a symmetric beam profile with narrow beam divergence but also a high-power operation with controllability. Therefore, it may be the holy grail for an ultracompact time-of-flight (ToF) LiDAR system. Hereupon, comprehensive analyses of PCSEL-relevant scientific publications and patent documents are conducted. We thereby review the development progress of PCSEL technology. Moreover, a systematic simulation is performed, providing real-time visualization of relevant point clouds with different beam divergence. PCSEL technology with unprecedented merits indeed turns a new leaf and a paradigm shift in LiDAR application is ongoing. It is believed that a lens-free and adjustment-free ultracompact apparatus in simplicity can be expected.

Performance Analyses of Photonic-Crystal Surface-Emitting Laser: Toward High-Speed Optical Communication

“…From the perspective of miniaturisation with better light-emitting performance, new concepts are thus in the acute stage with rapid development toward an ultra-compact optical device with various functionalities [31]. Auspiciously, a revolutionary semiconductor laser technology, the photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL), emerged over the past two decades [32][33][34][35]. A photonic crystal can be adopted as a lateral laser cavity via monolithic integration embedded in the epitaxial structures, further ameliorating the bulky form factor compared to the laser cavities in VCSEL structures.…”

Performance Analyses of Photonic-Crystal Surface-Emitting Laser: Toward High-Speed Optical Communication

“…From the perspective of miniaturization with better light-emitting performance, new concepts are thus in the acute stage with rapid development toward an ultra-compact optical device with various functionalities [24]. Auspiciously, a revolutionary semiconductor laser technology, the photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL), emerged over the past two decades [25][26][27][28]. A photonic crystal can be adopted as a lateral laser cavity via monolithic integration embedded in the epitaxial structures, further ameliorating the bulky form factor compared to the laser cavities in VCSEL structures.…”

Modulating Light Emission Performance of PCSEL via GaN HEMT Driving Circuit

“…Auspiciously, a revolutionary semiconductor laser technology, namely the PCSEL device, has changed significantly in the past two decades, gaining from the monolithic integration of photonic crystals in epitaxial structures. PCSEL exhibits great outcome performance in single-mode operation with controllability, and thus PCSEL provides promising perspectives for LiDAR applications [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52].…”

“…Thus, with the assorted unprecedented merits, such an integrated system can be a great paradigm with high potentials for the next generation LiDAR applications. Prospects for the next generation LiDAR system in high-power and high-speed operation can be expected in miscellaneous applications [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]32,33,[45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]. That is one small step for the next generation LiDAR systems, but one giant leap for the betterment of human well-being in the future.…”