Open AccessRange accuracy of photon heterodyne detection with laser pulse based on Geiger-mode APD
Author(s) -
Hailu Luo,
Xiuhua Yuan,
Yanan Zeng
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.21.018983
Subject(s) - optics , physics , geiger counter , avalanche photodiode , heterodyne detection , photon , photon counting , laser , pulse (music) , beat (acoustics) , heterodyne (poetry) , detector , acoustics
In this paper, we propose a combined system of heterodyne detection with laser pulse and photon counting based on Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GM-APD) that is designed to achieve the range of remote non-cooperative target. Based on the heterodyne principle and assuming that the creation of primary electrons in GM-APD is Poisson-distributed, the range accuracy model is established. The factors that influence the range accuracy, namely pulse width, echo intensity, local oscillator (LO) intensity, noise, echo position, and beat frequency, are discussed. The results show that these six factors have significant influence on the range accuracy when the echo intensity is extremely weak. In case that the primary electrons of the echo signal are beyond 4, the pulse width and echo intensity are the main influence factors. It is also shown that the stronger echo intensity, narrower pulse width, low noise, large echo position, and small beat frequency produce higher range accuracy in a pulsed photon heterodyne detection system based on GM-APD.