基于G-SPAD的卫星激光测距回波特性

从盖革模式单光子雪崩光电二极管的光电特性出发,分析了卫星激光测距的测距精度与激光脉冲宽度及回波强度的关系,并利用长春站卫星激光测距系统对地球动力学卫星进行观测.结果表明,当回波光子数为1 000左右时,系统测距精度为10.2mm左右,当回波光子数为8 000时,测距精度减小为9.4mm左右,表明回波强度较大时,可提高卫星激光测距系统的测距精度;当激光器脉宽为200ps时,系统测距精度为17.3mm,当脉宽为50ps时,系统的测距精度为10.0mm,表明卫星激光测距系统的测距精度随着脉宽变窄得到了有效提高.为进一步验证理论结果,对Ajisai卫星进行实测,分析了高重复频率激光测距系统对系统测距精度的影响,结果表明采用窄脉宽高重复频率的激光测距系统,激光测距有效回波数和标准点密度呈数量级增加,测距精度也有一定的提高.因此,为了改善卫星激光测距系统回波特性,应选用脉宽窄、重复频率高、能量大的激光器作为基于盖革模式单光子雪崩光电二极管的卫星激光测距系统的激光光源.     

百微米精度的单光子测距

本文发展了一种基于高精度单光子探测器的激光测距方法,实现了百微米量级精度的非合作目标激光测距.单光子测距系统引入参考位置,有效地抑制了系统延时漂移,使光子飞行时间测量精度达到0.5 ps,在2 m测距距离处,单光子测距系统的测距精度达到65μm@RMS.这项工作达到了当前脉冲飞行时间测距最高精度水平,为远距离非合作目标高精度测距和成像提供了一种有效的技术.     

超导单光子探测器暗计数对激光测距距离的影响

超导纳米线单光子探测器(SNSPD)是一种新型单光子探测器,具有灵敏度高、时间精度高、探测速度快和暗计数低等特点,在激光测距等领域具有重要应用前景.本文将SNSPD应用到1064 nm波段激光测距系统,研究了其暗计数和信噪比对激光测距的影响.基于实验获得的回波数据,结合激光雷达理论,研究了系统信噪比与脉冲积累次数的关系.分析表明,SNSPD暗计数是影响测距距离的关键因素之一.结合仿真,进一步探究了基于SNSPD的激光测距系统信噪比与回波率、暗计数的关系,暗计数较大时,信噪比随脉冲积累次数增加出现波动现象,回波信号湮没.由于SNSPD暗计数极低,本基于SNSPD的测距系统最远测距可达280 km,较同样条件下基于APD探测器的测距系统最远探测距离远40 km,在军事侦查、探测和制导等领域具有重要应用前景.     

白天单光子探测激光测距

单光子探测激光测距是实现远距离高精度测距的一种重要方法。由于白天的背景噪声约为夜晚的100万倍,传统的单光子探测器白天极易饱和甚至损坏,单光子探测激光测距在白光背景噪声环境中非常难识别微弱的回波信号。本文发展了一种基于FP标准具滤光的单光子探测激光测距装置,采用532 nm窄带干涉滤光片和线宽为10 pm的FP标准具进行二级滤光,并且通过压电旋转台驱动FP标准具,使其中心波长与激光波长锁定,保持最大的透过率。该测距装置有效地降低了白光背景噪声,采用PMT单光子探测器,在532 nm波段实现了白天单光子探测激光测距。在实验中,阳光照度为1.1×10~4 lx时,背景光噪声计数被抑制到900 kcps,探测距离为1.4 km时,信噪比可达16 dB。     

基于超导探测器的激光测距系统作用距离分析

提出了将超导纳米线单光子探测器(SSPD)应用于空间碎片激光测距的构想,并通过理论分析和等效外场实验进行了可行性论证。根据SSPD在门控时间内允许多次测量的特性,建立了信噪比随回波光子数的变化模型,并考察了激光器发射重复频率、天光背景噪声强度、探测器暗计数率等参数对信噪比的影响,结合回波光子数方程和噪声强度,以云南天文台激光测距系统为例,推算出该系统具备探测830 km处米级大小空间碎片的能力。结合光纤耦合条件,设计了以太阳能板为目标的外场实验,通过改变光学系统透过率,获得了信噪比随回波光子数变化的实验曲线,验证了利用信噪比变化推测系统作用距离方法的有效性,理论和等效实验结果均表明超导纳米线探测器有望实现空间碎片激光测距。     

基于弹性变分模态提取的时间相关单光子计数信号去噪

单光子激光雷达的回波信号具有极低的信噪比,有效地消除噪声和提取出回波信号特征是提升单光子激光雷达测距精度的关键,变分模态分解算法需要使用者依据经验确定分解本征模态函数数量,不具有适用性和通用性.为此,本文基于时间相关单光子计数信号特点,提出了在变分模态分解中让信号按照指定频率进行聚类分解的变分约束条件,并采用弹性网回归重构不适定问题的求解模型,提出了弹性变分模态提取算法.实验结果表明,在波段850 nm、平均发射功率为25 nW、背景噪声平均功率为19.51μW的条件下,利用该方法,得到了时间相关单光子计数信号重建精度的均方根误差为1.414 ns.同时在不同的累积时间下,能够稳定且快速地提取出回波信号特征,有效地提高了算法的去噪能力和特征提取的性能.     

超导转变边沿单光子探测器原理与研究进展

量子信息技术近十多年来的快速发展对单光子探测器的性能提出了更高的要求,高性能单光子探测器也因此受到了更多的关注.与传统的单光子探测器相比,超导转变边沿(TES)单光子探测器在探测效率、能量分辨、光子数分辨和暗计数等方面具有突出优势.目前,超导TES单光子探测器已经被成功地应用在量子光学实验和量子密钥分配系统中,未来在量子信息技术等研究领域具有更广泛的应用.本文从超导TES单光子探测器的工作原理、制备流程、测试系统、主要性能指标以及研究现状和进展等方面对该探测器技术进行简要综述.     

基于双模式探测器的大动态范围激光测距EI北大核心CSCD

开发了一种基于双模式探测的大动态范围激光测距方法.使用基于硅雪崩光电二极管（APD）的单个探测器在线性模式与盖革模式之间切换,实现了平均光子数为1~105的大动态强度范围光信号探测.在此基础上,进行了30m的室内线性探测模式测距和500m的室外盖革探测模式测距实验,利用时间相关单光子计数设备记录的信号详细分析了两种模式测距的时间特性,证明了这种方法可以根据探测距离和背景环境进行探测模式切换,从而实现大动态范围激光测距.并且进一步分析了APD偏置电压的调节对测距系统测量精度以及探测背景噪声的影响.     

激光脉冲强度对于盖革模式单光子探测测距精度影响的理论研究

在单光子脉冲测距系统中,由于光子到达时间的随机性,使探测到的目标距离具有一定的不确定性,因而单光子脉冲测距系统的测距精度受到一定的限制。基于回波光子与光电子的统计特性,研究了单光子探测器在脉冲测距系统中的脉冲强度,脉冲宽度等参数对系统测距精度的影响。针对常见的回波波形,得到了测距精度与回波脉冲强度及宽度的相互关系式。理论分析结果表明回波激光脉冲强度越高,脉冲宽度越窄,所获得的距离精度越高。     

基于双模式探测器的大动态范围激光测距

开发了一种基于双模式探测的大动态范围激光测距方法.使用基于硅雪崩光电二极管(APD)的单个探测器在线性模式与盖革模式之间切换,实现了平均光子数为1~105的大动态强度范围光信号探测.在此基础上,进行了30m的室内线性探测模式测距和500m的室外盖革探测模式测距实验,利用时间相关单光子计数设备记录的信号详细分析了两种模式测距的时间特性,证明了这种方法可以根据探测距离和背景环境进行探测模式切换,从而实现大动态范围激光测距.并且进一步分析了APD偏置电压的调节对测距系统测量精度以及探测背景噪声的影响.     

An Entropy-Based Anti-Noise Method for Reducing Ranging Error in Photon Counting Lidar

Photon counting lidar for long-range detection faces the problem of declining ranging performance caused by background noise. Current anti-noise methods are not robust enough in the case of weak signal and strong background noise, resulting in poor ranging error. In this work, based on the characteristics of the uncertainty of echo signal and noise in photon counting lidar, an entropy-based anti-noise method is proposed to reduce the ranging error under high background noise. Firstly, the photon counting entropy, which is considered as the feature to distinguish signal from noise, is defined to quantify the uncertainty of fluctuation among photon events responding to the Geiger mode avalanche photodiode. Then, the photon counting entropy is combined with a windowing operation to enhance the difference between signal and noise, so as to mitigate the effect of background noise and estimate the time of flight of the laser pulses. Simulation and experimental analysis show that the proposed method improves the anti-noise performance well, and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively mitigates the effect of background noise to reduce ranging error despite high background noise.     

光子计数深度获取系统误差机理研究和矫正

采用两路光子时间到达点构建光纤式光子计数伪随机码深度获取系统.为了研究降低深度误差的方法,以高斯函数为激光回波脉冲,计算瞬时概率密度函数,引入"时间行走"效应数学模型,推导深度误差克拉美罗下限.随着激光回波能量的增大,深度误差先降低再增大,并且码长越长,深度误差越小.采用理论推导的累积分布函数,生成光子时间到达点,蒙特卡洛仿真伪随机序列光子探测过程,结果大于理论数值模拟,符合克拉美罗下界原理.17组标定实验表明:由于目标表面特性的不同而导致探测到激光回波中光子数的浮动,该浮动引发光子"时间行走"效应,并带来伪随机码深度获取系统的互相关函数的整体偏移.采用数值拟合方程拟合不同光子计数比例值下的深度误差,测量得到的光子计数比例值,代入拟合的矫正方程,矫正后的深度均方误差下降至1cm.     

Application of Geometrical Form Factor in Differential Absorption Lidar Measurement

The peak position for a lidar return signal is calculated and measured for the horizontal path with variation of the laser beam divergence angle (θ), and the inclination angle (δ) between the telescope and laser axes. This work shows that θ and δ are very important parameters to use in the design or alignment of a lidar system receiving a good lidar signal. This paper describes an experimental determination of geometrical form factors in the lidar equation. We receive the signals and determine the geometrical form factors by slope method in a homogeneous atmosphere. The differential absorption lidar equation is evaluated for the dual-pulse lidar system. A method using a geometrical form factor determined by the experiment is introduced to correct the error in C₂H₄ measurement. This method shows good correction of measurement error in lidar dual-pulse operation, especially in the short range.     

Photon-counting chirped amplitude modulation lidar system using superconducting nanowire single-photon detector at 1550-nm wavelength

We demonstrate a photon-counting chirped amplitude modulation(CAM) light detection and ranging(lidar) system incorporating a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector(SNSPD) and operated at a wavelength of 1550 nm.The distance accuracy of the lidar system was determined by the CAM bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio(SNR) of an intermediate frequency(IF) signal. Owing to a short dead time(10 ns) and negligible dark count rate(70 Hz) of the SNSPD, the obtained IF signal attained an SNR of 42 d B and the direct distance accuracy was improved to 3 mm when the modulation bandwidth of the CAM signal was 240 MHz and the modulation period was 1 ms.     

强度调制532 nm激光水下测距

激光水下探测在水下目标搜寻、资源勘探等领域具有重要的应用,而散射是激光水下探测面临的主要挑战.载波调制激光雷达具有抗散射、抗干扰的优点,本文利用自行研制的532 nm强度调制激光源,在3 m长的水箱中搭建激光水下探测系统. 532 nm激光源最大输出功率为2.56 W,强度调制范围为10.0 MHz—2.1 GHz,光束发散角约0.5 mrad.通过在水箱中添加氢氧化镁(Mg(OH)_2)粉末,测量了不同浑浊度下水的衰减系数.采用相位测距的方法,目标反射光的调制信号为探测信号,对激光源进行调制的电信号作为参考信号,利用相关运算获得激光的延时时间,进而可以获得水下目标的距离.最大调制频率为500 MHz时,实现了距离为4.3个衰减长度目标的探测,测距误差约12 cm.探测距离越远,测距误差越大,调制频率越高,测距精度越高.     

Detection performance improvement of photon counting chirped amplitude modulation lidar with response probability correction

Geiger mode avalanche photodiode detector(Gm-APD) possesses the ultra-high sensitivity. Photon counting chirped amplitude modulation(PCCAM) light detection and ranging(lidar) uses the counting results of the returned signal detected by Gm-APD to mix with the reference signal, which makes PCCAM lidar capable of realizing the ultra-high sensitivity, and this is very important for detecting the remote and weak signal. However, Gm-APD is a nonlinear device, different from traditional linear detectors. Due to the nonlinear response of Gm-APD, the counting results of the returned signal detected by Gm-APD are different from those of both the original modulation signal and the reference signal. This will affect the mixing effect and thus degrade the detection performance of PCCAM lidar. In this paper, we propose a response probability correction method. First, the response probability correction model is established on the basis of Gm-APD Poisson probability response model. Then, the response probability correction model is used to adjust the original modulation signal that is used to drive laser, in order to make the counting results of the returned signal detected by Gm-APD better mix with the local reference signal in the same form. Through this method, the detection performance of PCCAM lidar is enhanced efficiently.     

OFLID: Simple method of overlap factor calculation with laser intensity distribution for biaxial lidar

We proposed a simple overlap factor calculation method based on laser intensity distribution (OFLID), which is simple, practical and can be applied to any specific laser intensity distribution. In order to obtain the laser intensity distribution and parameters of our laser system, we designed a simple experiment to measure them, and then simulated an ideal Gaussian and uniform laser intensity distribution with the measured parameters. The OFLID calculation results indicated that the overlap factor of the measured distribution has approximately half the relative error of that of the ideal Gaussian distribution in the increasing range field for our lidar. Specifically, the laser intensity distribution should be regarded in the overlap correction of the lidar signal. Theoretically, the OFLID method can reduce the error caused by the hypothesis of ideal uniform or Gaussian intensity distributions in the analytical method. In addition, the method is easy to implement for overlap correction, signal simulation and system configuration optimization for biaxial lidar.     

高时间稳定性的雪崩光电二极管单光子探测器

雪崩光电二极管单光子探测器是一种具有超高灵敏度的光电探测器件,在远距离激光测距、激光成像和量子通信等领域有非常重要的应用.然而,由于雪崩光电二极管单光子探测器的雪崩点对工作温度高度敏感,因此在外场环境下工作时容易出现增益波动,继而导致单光子探测器输出信号的延时发生漂移,严重降低了探测器的时间稳定性.本文发展了一种稳定输出延时的方法,采用嵌入式系统控制雪崩光电二极管,使其处于恒定温度,并实时补偿由环境温度引起的延时漂移,实现了雪崩光电二极管单光子探测器的高时间稳定性探测.实验中,环境温度从16 ℃变化到36 ℃,雪崩光电二极管的工作温度稳定在15 ℃,经过延时补偿,雪崩光电二极管单光子探测器输出延时漂移小于±1 ps,时间稳定度达到0.15 ps@100 s.这项工作有望为全天候野外条件和空间极端条件下的高精度单光子探测应用提供有效的解决方法.     

LII–lidar: range-resolved backward picosecond laser-induced incandescence

A novel concept for remote in situ detection of soot emissions by a combination of laser-induced incandescence (LII) and light detection and ranging (lidar) is presented. A lidar setup based on a picosecond Nd:YAG laser and time-resolved signal detection in the backward direction was used for LII measurements in sooty premixed ethylene–air flames. Measurements of LII–lidar signal versus laser fluence and flame equivalence ratio showed good qualitative agreement with data reported in literature. The LII–lidar signal showed a decay consisting of two components, with lifetimes of typically 20 and 70 ns, attributed to soot sublimation and conductive cooling, respectively. Theoretical considerations and analysis of the LII–lidar signal showed that the derivative was proportional to the maximum value, which is an established measure of soot volume fraction. Utilizing this, differentiation of LII–lidar data gave profiles representing soot volume fraction with a range resolution of ~16 cm along the laser beam propagation axis. The accuracy of the evaluated LII-profiles was confirmed by comparison with LII-data measured simultaneously employing conventional right-angle detection. Thus, LII–lidar provides range-resolved single-ended detection, resourceful when optical access is restricted, extending the LII technique and opening up new possibilities for laser-based diagnostics of soot and other carbonaceous particles.     

Comparison among error calculations in differential absorption lidar measurements

Error determination is a critical issue in differential absorption lidar (DIAL). In this paper, some common error calculations are compared by applying them to a set of artificial data. First, three methods for the evaluation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the lidar return have been examined. Then, the effect of the application to DIAL measurements of correction algorithms is investigated. The mean value and the standard deviation of the set of artificial data have been obtained from experimental determinations accomplished with our system. This was made possible by the shot-per-shot recording of the lidar return. The results of this study allows us to recommend a new method for the data analysis used in DIAL experiments: the SNR should be directly measured and all sources of statistical fluctuation have to be taken into account in the calculation of the final error. Otherwise such error could be underestimated, as suggested also by the disagreement of simultaneous measurements carried out by different systems.