The practicalities of a spatial coherence filter in free-space LIDAR environments

Paul Hawthorne; Mark W. McDonald; Ian Park; Duncan P. Hand

doi:10.1117/12.2678435

23 October 2023 The practicalities of a spatial coherence filter in free-space LIDAR environments

Paul Hawthorne, Mark W. McDonald, Ian Park, Duncan P. Hand

Proceedings Volume 12737, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications XX; 127370B (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2678435
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2023, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

A scanning LIDAR system that uses a single pixel detector can be highly attractive, with simple data processing coupled with low cost and complexity. However, the impact of ambient light noise is much greater than with a multiple pixel system. A potential means of overcoming this is to filter for transverse spatial coherence. Such filters have been discussed and evaluated in the literature, typically based on an axicon or a spiral phase plate that creates a ring with coherent light. Incoherent light, in contrast, smears the light out diffusely, allowing for spatial separation and thus, filtering. The focus of the existing literature tends to be in optical communication or underwater ranging, whereas a free-space LIDAR environment has distinct issues that inhibit the practicality of the filter if a direct replication is performed. This work thus focusses on exploring the practical implementation of these filters in a free-space LIDAR environment.

Conference Presentation

(2023) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Paul Hawthorne, Mark W. McDonald, Ian Park, and Duncan P. Hand "The practicalities of a spatial coherence filter in free-space LIDAR environments", Proc. SPIE 12737, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications XX, 127370B (23 October 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2678435

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