Ultra-fast optical ranging using quantum-dash mode-locked laser diodes

Trocha, P.; Kemal, J. N.; Gaimard, Quentin; Aubin, G.; Lelarge, F.; Ramdane, A.; Freude, W.; Randel, Sebastian; Koos, Christian

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-04368-4

Cited by 14 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(64 reference statements)

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“…Here, a high repetition rate of the lasers is particularly advantageous, since this reduces the demand on the sampling electronics. Examples from optical distance measurement can be directly applied to UHRR-THz-TDS systems where measurement speeds >1 MHz were realized [63], [64].…”

Section: Comparision and Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

THz Systems Exploiting Photonics and Communications Technologies

et al. 2023

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Terahertz (THz) systems open up the possibility of new applications of electromagnetic waves. Enormous bandwidths up to several terahertz enable the development of powerful spectroscopy systems that can provide insights into the structure and material of objects with micrometer resolution. New high power and compact THz time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) systems will be presented. The wide bandwidth also enables high-resolution imaging under far-field conditions to analyze arbitrary objects from a distance. In addition, a near-field system-on-a-chip imaging system is presented that achieves a resolution of 10 μm. Additionally, the application of terahertz waves presents challenges due to the low transmit power of the sources, high attenuation in free space, and the high noise figures of the receivers. These challenges can be overcome by antennas with high gain. Since -depending on the application -spatial scanning or focusing in a time-varying direction is required, beam steering is an essential component of many THz systems. In terms of communications, terahertz carrier frequencies offer wide bandwidths, enabling correspondingly high data rates of 100 Gbit/s and more. As a result, the frequency bands between 250 GHz and 450 GHz have already been identified and/or allocated for communication services and are being discussed as a component of 6G mobile communications. Concepts and demonstrations for 6G terahertz mobile communications will be presented. The high bandwidth of terahertz waves can also be used for high-accuracy indoor localization.INDEX TERMS THz time-domain spectroscopy, high average power THz systems, THz far-field imaging, THz near-field imaging, THz communication, THz localization, MTT 70th Anniversary Special Issue.

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Section: Comparision and Outlookmentioning

confidence: 99%

THz Systems Exploiting Photonics and Communications Technologies

et al. 2023

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“…The last several decades have witnessed the importance of laser ranging [1][2][3][4]. Many industrial, scientific, and military systems have sought reliable, high-precision, and noncontact methods for distance measurements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency-swept feedback interferometry for noncooperative-target ranging with a stand-off distance of several hundred meters

Wang

Dai

et al. 2022

PhotoniX

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Frequency-swept interferometry (FSI) is a powerful ranging method with high precision and immunity to ambient light. However, the stand-off distance of the current FSI-based ranging system for noncooperative targets is relatively short because the weak echo power cannot provide the needed signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Here, we report a ranging method that combines FSI and the laser feedback technique. Compared with conventional FSI, the interference between the weak echo signal and the local oscillator occurs in the laser cavity, which enhances the signal spontaneously and then provides an improved SNR. In the experiments, the detection limit of the echo power is less than 0.1 fW, with a 1 mW probe beam. Based on the enhancement from the laser feedback technique, the system can detect a noncooperative target that is up to hundreds of meters away in space without extra optical amplifiers. On the other hand, a large stand-off distance makes the system sensitive to environmental disturbance, which degrades the ranging precision. To address this issue, an interferometry-based compensation device, which is also sensitive to weak echoes from noncooperative targets, is proposed to monitor the optical-path-length drifts and ensure accurate beat frequency recognition. Moreover, the device can record distance changes during the integration time of ranging and track a moving target precisely with improved temporal resolution. Owing to the high sensitivity and the validity of the compensation approach, the standard deviation in 10 measurements is better than 0.07 mm when targeting an aluminum sheet at approximately 152 m. Generally, with a large range, high relative precision, and low photon consumption, the novel technical scheme for laser ranging demonstrates new capabilities that promise to enable a wide range of applications, such as large equipment assembly and noncooperative-target tracking.

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