Photon counting range-intensity image strategy in low-light level environments

• Published in: Optics letters Vol. 39; no. 8; p. 2467
• Main Authors: Zhang, Zijing, Xu, Yuannan, Wu, Long, Zhang, Yong, Zhao, Yuan, Su, Jianzhong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.04.2014
• ISSN: 1539-4794
• DOI: 10.1364/OL.39.002467

We present a photon counting range-intensity image strategy based on a single-photon detector in low-light level environments. In this Letter, a composite modulation method over the pulse sequence was used for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, which combined pulse-position modulation and pulse-intensity modulation. This composite modulation method could obtain range and intensity of the detected target at the same time. Besides, angle-angle information could be provided from the scanner or detector array. Thus, a range-intensity image of the target became feasible. For demonstrating this photon counting range-intensity image strategy, a proof-of-principle laboratory system was established. In low-light level environments, a range-intensity image of multiple similar targets was obtained successfully with the range accuracy of centimeter level and intensity error of 1%. Compared with the range image, a range-intensity image could better reorganize and identify similar targets.