Abstract

This talk will present the first experimental demonstration of coherent detection using an array of photon-counting detectors. These measurements use an array of Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes with integrated CMOS timing circuitry, and show the potential for shot-noise-limited detection in the single-return-photon regime with comparable local oscillator power. The high-bandwidth timing circuitry and potential to fabricate large arrays enable range-resolved Doppler and angularly-resolved Doppler laser radar measurements. Laboratory results agree well with computer simulations.

© 2006 Optical Society of America