Subcentimeter depth resolution using a single-photon counting time-of-flight laser ranging system at 1550 nm wavelength

Warburton, R.E., McCarthy, A., Wallace, A.M., Hernandez-Marin, S., Hadfield, R. , Nam, S.W. and Buller, G.S. (2007) Subcentimeter depth resolution using a single-photon counting time-of-flight laser ranging system at 1550 nm wavelength. Optics Letters, 32(15), pp. 2266-2268. (doi: 10.1364/OL.32.002266)

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Abstract

We demonstrate subcentimeter depth profiling at a stand off distance of 330m using a time-of-flight approach based on time-correlated single-photon counting. For the first time to our knowledge, the photon-counting time-of-flight technique was demonstrated at a wavelength of 1550nm using a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector. The performance achieved suggests that a system using superconducting detectors has the potential for low-light-level and eye-safe operation. The system’s instrumental response was 70ps full width at half-maximum, which meant that 1cm surface-to-surface resolution could be achieved by locating the centroids of each return signal. A depth resolution of 4mm was achieved by employing an optimized signal-processing algorithm based on a reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo method.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This paper was published in Optics Letters and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of OSA. The paper can be found at the following URL on the OSA website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OL.32.002266. Systematic or multiple reproduction or distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hadfield, Professor Robert
Authors: Warburton, R.E., McCarthy, A., Wallace, A.M., Hernandez-Marin, S., Hadfield, R., Nam, S.W., and Buller, G.S.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
Journal Name:Optics Letters
Publisher:Optical Society of America
ISSN:0146-9592
Published Online:01 January 2007
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2007 Optical Society of America
First Published:First published in Optics Letters 32(15):2266-2268
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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