1541nm GmAPD LADAR system

Mary R. Kutteruf; Paul Lebow

doi:10.1117/12.2050657

9 June 2014 1541nm GmAPD LADAR system

Mary R. Kutteruf, Paul Lebow

Proceedings Volume 9080, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XIX; and Atmospheric Propagation XI; 908006 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2050657
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2014, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

The single photon sensitivity of Geiger-mode avalanche photo diodes (GmAPDs) has facilitated the development of LADAR systems that operate at longer stand-off distances, require lower laser pulse powers and are capable of imaging through a partial obscuration. In this paper, we describe a GmAPD LADAR system which operates at the eye-safe wavelength of 1541 nm. The longer wavelength should enhance system covertness and improve haze penetration compared to systems using 1064 nm lasers. The system is comprised of a COTS 1541 nm erbium fiber laser producing 4 ns pulses at 80 kHz to 450 kHz and a COTS camera with a focal plane of 32x32 InGaAs GmAPDs band-gap optimized for 1550 nm. Laboratory characterization methodology and results are discussed. We show that accurate modeling of the system response, allows us to achieve a depth resolution which is limited by the width of the camera’s time bin (.25 ns or 1.5 inches) rather than by the duration of the laser pulse (4 ns or 2 ft.). In the presence of obscuration, the depth discrimination is degraded to 6 inches but is still significantly better than that dictated by the laser pulse duration. We conclude with a discussion of future work.

Citation Download Citation

Mary R. Kutteruf and Paul Lebow "1541nm GmAPD LADAR system", Proc. SPIE 9080, Laser Radar Technology and Applications XIX; and Atmospheric Propagation XI, 908006 (9 June 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2050657

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