Single-Photon Counting Laser Ranging With Optical Frequency Combs

Abstract

Time-of-flight single-photon counting laser ranging offers an important tool for remote sensing and imaging. However, limited by the temporal properties of a single-photon detection and counting system, it encounters a challenge for high-resolution and high-precision distance metrology. Here, we incorporated dual-comb based laser ranging, an enabling technique for rapid distance measurements with high precision and large range ambiguity, with time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) technology and demonstrated its feasibility for precise laser ranging under a photon-starved condition. Based on interferometric measurements of two asynchronous 2.8-pW, 25-GHz electro-optic laser combs with TCSPC, micrometer-level ranging precision was achieved for consistent distance measurements (a stand-off distance of 15.6 m) over several days. New opportunities might open up for high-resolution and high-precision single-photon counting laser ranging.