Cumulative data acquisition in comparative photon-counting three-dimensional imaging

Krichel, Nils J.; McCarthy, Aongus; Rech, Ivan; Ghioni, M.; Gulinatti, Angelo; Buller, Gerald S.

doi:10.1080/09500340.2010.519445

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…2. A cross-correlation algorithm written in house (based on that presented in [25]) analyses the histogram for each pixel in a scan. It begins by preparing a periodic reference response, R, of equal length to the histogram, H, containing multiple versions of the instrumental reference peak spaced equally at the period of the fiber laser's output.…”

Section: System Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kilometer-range, high resolution depth imaging via 1560 nm wavelength single-photon detection

McCarthy¹,

Krichel²,

Gemmell³

et al. 2013

Opt. Express

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253

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This paper highlights a significant advance in time-of-flight depth imaging: by using a scanning transceiver which incorporated a freerunning, low noise superconducting nanowire single-photon detector, we were able to obtain centimeter resolution depth images of low-signature objects in daylight at stand-off distances of the order of one kilometer at the relatively eye-safe wavelength of 1560 nm. The detector used had an efficiency of 18% at 1 kHz dark count rate, and the overall system jitter was ~100 ps. The depth images were acquired by illuminating the scene with an optical output power level of less than 250 µW average, and using per-pixel dwell times in the millisecond regime.

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Section: System Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kilometer-range, high resolution depth imaging via 1560 nm wavelength single-photon detection

McCarthy¹,

Krichel²,

Gemmell³

et al. 2013

Opt. Express

Self Cite

253

153

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show abstract

“…The most suitable detector for an application scenario thus can be selected -either a model with high quantum efficiency at the cost of increased timing jitter, or one of a range of shallow-junction SPAD models, which typically offer improved timing resolution at the cost of decreased quantum efficiency. Additionally, we carried out comparative measurements on a novel, resonant-cavity-enhanced shallow-junction SPAD which performed favorably with more established detector designs [26].…”

Section: Cumulative Data Acquisitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kilometer range depth imaging using time-correlated single-photon counting

et al. 2011

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Active depth imaging approaches have numerous potential applications in a number of disciplines, including environmental sensing, manufacturing and defense. The high sensitivity and picosecond timing resolution of the singlephoton counting technique can provide distinct advantages in the trade-offs between required illumination power, range, depth resolution, and data acquisition durations. These considerations must also address requirements for eye-safety, especially in applications requiring outdoor, kilometer range sensing. We present a scanning time-of-flight imager based on high repetition-rate (>MHz) pulsed illumination and a silicon single-photon detector. In advanced photon-counting experiments, we have employed the system for unambiguous range resolution at several kilometer target distance, multiple-surface resolution based on adaptive algorithms, and a cumulative data acquisition method that facilitates detector characterization and evaluation. We consider a range of optical design configurations and discuss the performance trade-offs in more detail. Much of this work has been performed at wavelengths around 850nm for convenient use with Si-based single photon avalanche diode detectors, however we will also discuss the performance at wavelengths around 1550 nm employing superconducting nanowire single photon detectors. The extension of this depth profiling technique to longer wavelengths will lead to relaxed eye safety requirements, reduced solar background levels and improvements in atmospheric transmission.

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“…Knowing the number of photons in the highest bin in peak and the average number of background counts per bin, then the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be evaluated as [20] b p p n n n SNR + = ( 4 ) The SNR values were calculated for several distances and compared to a minimum required SNR (SNR min ), in order to estimate the achievable performance of the system underwater. The SNR min was obtained by studying histograms of pixels with a very low return from the target, and a threshold of SNR min =1.4 was determined empirically when a crosscorrelation with a known instrumental response is used.…”

Section: Theoretical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underwater depth imaging using time-correlated single photon counting

Maccarone¹,

McCarthy²,

Ren³

et al. 2015

SPIE Proceedings

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We investigate the potential of a depth imaging system for underwater environments. This system is based on the timeof-flight approach and the time correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) technique. We report laboratory-based measurements and explore the potential of achieving sub-centimeter xyz resolution at 10's meters stand-off distances.Initial laboratory-based experiments demonstrate depth imaging performed over distances of up to 1.8 meters and under a variety of scattering conditions. The system comprised a monostatic transceiver unit, a fiber-coupled supercontinuum laser with a wavelength tunable acousto-optic filter, and a fiber-coupled individual silicon single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD). The scanning in xy was performed using a pair of galvonometer mirrors directing both illumination and scattered returns via a coaxial optical configuration. Target objects were placed in a 110 liter capacity tank and depth images were acquired through approximately 1.7 meters of water containing different concentrations of scattering agent. Depth images were acquired in clear and highly scattering water using per-pixel acquisition times in the range 0.5-100 ms at average optical powers in the range 0.8 nW to 120 μW.Based on the laboratory measurements, estimations of potential performance, including maximum range possible, were performed with a model based on the LIDAR equation. These predictions will be presented for different levels of scattering agent concentration, optical powers, wavelengths and comparisons made with naturally occurring environments. The experimental and theoretical results indicate that the TCSPC technique has potential for highresolution underwater depth profile measurements.

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Cumulative data acquisition in comparative photon-counting three-dimensional imaging

Cited by 17 publications

References 23 publications

Kilometer-range, high resolution depth imaging via 1560 nm wavelength single-photon detection

Kilometer-range, high resolution depth imaging via 1560 nm wavelength single-photon detection

Kilometer range depth imaging using time-correlated single-photon counting

Underwater depth imaging using time-correlated single photon counting

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