We describe Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GmAPD) cameras designed with asynchronous free-running operation that supports single-photon direct detection and coherent detection 3D LiDAR imaging as well as free-running applications such as free-space optical communications and target acquisition and tracking. Each free-running pixel in the 32x32 focal plane array performs independent time-of-flight measurements with a selectable reset time between 0.1 and 10 μs. Asynchronous reporting of time-of-flight and pixel location data allows continuous operation for arbitrarily long periods of time at sampling rates exceeding 0.7 Gsample/s. We report results for cameras optimized for operation using either 1.0 or 1.5 μm LiDAR sources.

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Mark Itzler, Gennaro Salzano, Mark Entwistle, Xudong Jiang, Mark Owens, Brian Piccione, Sam Wilton, Krystyna Slomkowski, Scott C. Roszko, and Esther Wei, "Asynchronous Geiger-mode APD cameras with free-running InGaAsP pixels (Conference Presentation)," Proc. SPIE 10212, Advanced Photon Counting Techniques XI, 102120K (Presented at SPIE Commercial + Scientific Sensing and Imaging: April 13, 2017; Published: 9 June 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2264573.5460497449001.