3D camera based on laser light absorption by atmospheric oxygen at 761 nm

A 3D camera based on laser light absorption of atmospheric oxygen at 761 nm is presented. The camera uses a current-tunable single frequency distributed feedback laser for active illumination and a silicon-based image sensor as a receiver. This simple combination enables capturing 3D images with a compact and mass producible set-up. The 3D camera is validated in indoor environments. Distance accuracy of better than 4 cm is demonstrated between 4 m and 10 m distances. Future potential and improvements are discussed.