Development of a near-infrared single-photon 3D imaging LiDAR based on 64×64 InGaAs/InP array detector and Risley-prism scanner

Abstract

A near-infrared single-photon lidar system, equipped with a 64×64 resolution array and a Risley prism scanner, has been engineered for daytime long-range and high-resolution 3D imaging. The system’s detector, leveraging Geiger-mode InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode technology, attains a single-photon detection efficiency of over 15% at the lidar’s 1064 nm wavelength. This efficiency, in tandem with a narrow pulsed laser that boasts a single-pulse energy of 0.5 mJ, facilitates 3D imaging capabilities for distances reaching approximately 6 kilometers. The Risley scanner, composing two counter-rotating wedge prisms, is designed to perform scanning measurements across a 6-degree circular field-of-view. Precision calibration of the scanning angle and the beam’s absolute direction was achieved using a precision dual-axis turntable and a collimator, culminating in 3D imaging with an exceptional scanning resolution of 28 arcseconds. Additionally, this work has developed a novel spatial domain local statistical filtering framework, specifically designed to separate daytime background noise photons from the signal photons, enhancing the system’s imaging efficacy in varied lighting conditions. This paper showcases the advantages of array-based single-photon lidar image-side scanning technology in simultaneously achieving high resolution, a wide field-of-view, and extended detection range.