Work

Two-photon dual-comb LiDAR for precision ranging to non-optical targets

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Two-photon dual-comb LiDAR (2phDCL) provides time-of-flight ranging at kHz update rates, with instantaneous precisions of a few µm, and a data burden orders of magnitude lower than interferometric dual-comb methods. These capabilities make 2phDCL of interest for industrial applications where ranging to uncooperative surfaces is required. In this invited article, we present the first extension of 2phDCL ranging to non-cooperative targets, specifically demonstrating results from tin, brass, aluminium and stainless steel surfaces. An amplified detection scheme with 60 µW sensitivity is shown to mitigate the lower optical power returned from the rolled or brushed surfaces of these metals. We perform ranging from a few cm up to 1 m, with around 5 µm instantaneous precisions and demonstrate one-dimensional metrology of structured metal artefacts.

Source: Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

DOI: 10.1088/1361-6455/add4d8

Authors: Hollie Wright, Alexander J M Nelmes, Derryck T Reid

Institutions: Heriot-Watt University, Scottish Universities Physics Alliance

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Optical Sensing Technologies

Subfield: Instrumentation

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,325

Funders: Royal Academy of Engineering, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council