OSE Seminars
Disruptive 3D imaging with Geiger-mode sensing technology
Presented by Dr. Brian Piccone, Princeton Lightwave, Cranbury, New Jersey
The ability to detect single photons is an enabling capability for numerous applications in the field of photonics such as optical time domain reflectometry, quantum communications, light detection and ranging, deep space acquisition and tracking, and semiconductor device and material characterization. In all of these scenarios, Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (GmAPDs) have emerged as an excellent device technology for single-photon detection. They provide performance that meets the requirements of many of these single-photon applications, and they do so in a robust solid-state platform that is readily scalable to achieve a high degree of integration at a relatively low cost. Consequently, for the detection of single photons in the wavelength range from 0.9 μm to 1.6 μm, GmAPDs based on the InGaAsP material system have proven to be a preferred sensor technology. Here, we present our recent advances in the development of GmAPD focal plane arrays (FPAs) in three-dimensional (3D) imaging laser radar (LADAR) systems. These systems-also described as light detection and ranging (LIDAR) imaging-exploit time-of-flight measurements at every pixel of the FPA to create 3D point clouds that can be processed to create 3D images. Three-dimensional LADAR systems based on single-photon-sensitive GmAPDs have demonstrated the capability to collect high-resolution 3D imagery from much higher altitudes and at rates at least an order of magnitude faster than alternative technologies. For shorter distance applications, the single photon sensitivity of these FPAs allows their implementation with much more modest laser sources, greatly reducing the size, weight, and power dissipation of the overall system.
11:00 am, Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Room 101, Center for High Tech Materials
Science and Technology Park - South Campus
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