Swept Source Lidar: simultaneous FMCW ranging and nonmechanical beam steering with a wideband swept source

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel Swept Source Lidar system that combines FMCW ranging with nonmechanical beam steering using a wideband swept source and wavelength dispersive elements, enabling fully solid-state 3D imaging.

Contribution

It presents a new lidar scheme that integrates FMCW ranging with nonmechanical beam steering, enhancing robustness and flexibility in solid-state lidar systems.

Findings

Successful demonstration of 3D point cloud data acquisition

Integration of a tunable VCSEL with a 1-axis mechanical scanner

Potential for fully solid-state FMCW lidar systems

Abstract

Light detection and ranging (lidar) has long been used in various applications. Solid-state beam steering mechanisms are needed for robust lidar systems. Here we propose and demonstrate a lidar scheme called "Swept Source Lidar" that allows us to perform frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) ranging and nonmechanical beam steering simultaneously. Wavelength dispersive elements provide angular beam steering, while a laser frequency is continuously swept by a wideband swept source over its whole tuning bandwidth. Employing a tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser and a 1-axis mechanical beam scanner, three-dimensional point cloud data has been obtained. Swept Source Lidar systems can be flexibly combined with various beam steering elements to realize full solid-state FMCW lidar systems.