Performance and limitations of dual-comb based ranging systems

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Laser Technology
• Metrology

Background:

• Dual-comb LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) systems are advanced optical sensors.
• High-resolution and high-speed distance measurements are critical in various scientific and industrial applications.
• Understanding system limitations is key to optimizing performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the trade-off between precision and non-ambiguity range (NAR) in dual-comb LiDAR systems.
• To investigate the influence of optical comb parameters, such as repetition rate and amplitude envelope, on ranging performance.
• To analyze the impact of non-linear effects and target resolvability on measurement accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a dual-comb LiDAR system utilizing electro-optic modulators.
• Application of heterodyne detection for signal processing.
• Development of a unique performance factor to evaluate the precision-NAR trade-off.
• Experimental setup allowing for tunable NAR and analysis of comb repetition rate effects.

Main Results:

• The precision of distance measurements is limited by the optical comb's repetition rate and influenced by its amplitude envelope.
• A tunable NAR setup demonstrated the direct relationship between repetition rate and both NAR and precision.
• Conditions leading to measurement impossibility due to non-linear interference effects were identified and quantified.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a quantitative understanding of the fundamental trade-offs in dual-comb LiDAR systems.
• Optical comb characteristics significantly impact ranging precision and the non-ambiguity range.
• Non-linear effects pose a critical limitation that must be considered for reliable high-performance LiDAR measurements.