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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Demonstration of Equal-Intensity Beam Generation by Dielectric Metasurfaces
Published on: June 7, 2019
Frequency modulated continuous wave LiDAR with expanded field-of-view based on polarization-splitting metasurface.
Kelan Chen1, Jitao Ji1, Xueyun Li1
1National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Optical Sensing and Manipulation, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, C ollaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
This study introduces a novel Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system using a metasurface to double the field-of-view (FOV) while maintaining high-precision ranging and velocity measurements for autonomous driving.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Sensor Technology
- Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Background:
- Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) offers high-precision ranging and velocity measurement, crucial for autonomous driving.
- Existing LiDAR systems face challenges in expanding the field-of-view (FOV) without compromising beam quality, detection accuracy, or signal-to-noise ratio.
- Complex data processing algorithms in LiDAR can introduce inaccuracies, limiting performance in demanding scenarios.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a new FMCW LiDAR architecture that overcomes the limitations of expanded FOV and maintains measurement accuracy.
- To enhance the scanning FOV of LiDAR systems through innovative optical components and design.
- To provide a robust and precise sensing solution for advanced perception in autonomous systems.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel FMCW LiDAR architecture incorporating a geometric metasurface as a polarization splitter.
- Integration of the metasurface with a mechanical scanning mirror to achieve expanded beam steering.
- Experimental validation of the system's ranging and velocity measurement capabilities.
Main Results:
- Successfully expanded the scanning FOV from 64° × 20° to 64° × 40°.
- Achieved millimeter-level precision in distance measurement.
- Obtained an average relative error of 9 mm/s in velocity measurement, demonstrating stable and precise performance.
Conclusions:
- The proposed FMCW LiDAR architecture effectively broadens the scanning range while preserving measurement accuracy.
- The innovative combination of a polarization beam-splitting metasurface with FMCW technology offers a promising pathway for future LiDAR development.
- This advancement addresses key constraints in LiDAR technology, paving the way for improved performance in complex autonomous driving and intelligent perception applications.
