Abstract
The operation of avalanche photodiodes in Geiger mode provides single-photon detection with excellent timing accuracy on a scalable semiconductor device platform. The use of arrays of Geiger-mode detectors for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) from airborne platforms enables the high-rate collection of 3D point cloud imagery from extremely long (>10 km) standoff distances and has resulted in order-of-magnitude increases in performance metrics such as area coverage rate and 3D image resolution. More recently, we have applied Geiger-mode technology to shorter range low-cost LiDAR systems designed for automotive applications. The combination of two factors—single-photon sensitivity and the greater eye-safety of lasers at wavelengths beyond 1400 nm—provides disruptive automotive LiDAR performance that will be essential to future autonomous vehicle navigation.
© 2017 Optical Society of America
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