3D Laser Imaging with High-Precision Laser Ranging Using SSPD Array

Abstract

A high-precision 3D laser imaging method based on laser ranging with superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SSPD) array is proposed. With laser pulses, the depth of typical geometric objects can be obtained through the time-of-flight with a precision of centimeter or millimeter level. Besides, the SSPD array helps to detect echoes from different parts of the targets, whose 2D response reflects the geometry of the object. Combined with the 2D response from the array and the high-precision ranging result, a 3D image with more precise depth can be reconstructed based on the reconstruction algorithm after noise reduction. The proposed method allows higher detection sensitivity and is prospective for object recognition, which helps to the space environment surveillance, pattern recognition, and artificial intelligence.