Abstract
We study mode selective up-conversion detection as a viable approach to improving signal-to-noise and ranging resolution in LIDAR applications. It involves pumping a nonlinear waveguide at the edge of phase matching with picosecond pulses, so that only the backscattered signal photons in a single or few desirable time-frequency modes are e ciently up-converted while the broadband background noise in all other modes is rejected. We demonstrate a 41-dB increase in the signal-to-noise ratio for single-photon counting compared to that of direct detection using a commercial InGaAs single-photon detector, while achieving sub-millimeter ranging resolution with few detected photons. The proposed technique implies new LIDAR capabilities for ranging and imaging.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 15914-15923 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Optics Express |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 11 Jun 2018 |