A universal 3D imaging sensor on a silicon photonics platform

Christopher Rogers, Alexander Y. Piggott, David J. Thomson, Robert F. Wiser, Ion E. Opris, Steven A. Fortune, Andrew J. Compston, Alexander Gondarenko, Fanfan Meng, Xia Chen, Graham T. Reed and Remus Nicolaescu ()
Additional contact information
Christopher Rogers: Pointcloud Inc
Alexander Y. Piggott: Pointcloud Inc
David J. Thomson: University of Southampton
Robert F. Wiser: Pointcloud Inc
Ion E. Opris: Opris Consulting
Steven A. Fortune: Pointcloud Inc
Andrew J. Compston: Pointcloud Inc
Alexander Gondarenko: Pointcloud Inc
Fanfan Meng: University of Southampton
Xia Chen: University of Southampton
Graham T. Reed: University of Southampton
Remus Nicolaescu: Pointcloud Inc

Nature, 2021, vol. 590, issue 7845, 256-261

Abstract: Abstract Accurate three-dimensional (3D) imaging is essential for machines to map and interact with the physical world1,2. Although numerous 3D imaging technologies exist, each addressing niche applications with varying degrees of success, none has achieved the breadth of applicability and impact that digital image sensors have in the two-dimensional imaging world3–10. A large-scale two-dimensional array of coherent detector pixels operating as a light detection and ranging system could serve as a universal 3D imaging platform. Such a system would offer high depth accuracy and immunity to interference from sunlight, as well as the ability to measure the velocity of moving objects directly11. Owing to difficulties in providing electrical and photonic connections to every pixel, previous systems have been restricted to fewer than 20 pixels12–15. Here we demonstrate the operation of a large-scale coherent detector array, consisting of 512 pixels, in a 3D imaging system. Leveraging recent advances in the monolithic integration of photonic and electronic circuits, a dense array of optical heterodyne detectors is combined with an integrated electronic readout architecture, enabling straightforward scaling to arbitrarily large arrays. Two-axis solid-state beam steering eliminates any trade-off between field of view and range. Operating at the quantum noise limit16,17, our system achieves an accuracy of 3.1 millimetres at a distance of 75 metres when using only 4 milliwatts of light, an order of magnitude more accurate than existing solid-state systems at such ranges. Future reductions of pixel size using state-of-the-art components could yield resolutions in excess of 20 megapixels for arrays the size of a consumer camera sensor. This result paves the way for the development and proliferation of low-cost, compact and high-performance 3D imaging cameras that could be used in applications from robotics and autonomous navigation to augmented reality and healthcare.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03259-y

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