Lens Design for Portable SWIR 3D Sensing

Abstract

LiDAR (or Light Detection and Ranging) typifies an enterprising technology that is the future of remote sensing. By being capable of measuring relative distances, topographical data and creating three-dimensional images, LiDAR possesses the ability to change the environment of numerous industries. This market, which was once valued at $1.32 billion in 2018 is expected to grow to $6.71 billion by 2026, primarily due to an increase in demand for aerial LiDAR systems, which show the promise for this technology and the endless opportunities it will create. The specific LiDAR we will analyze is Flash LiDAR, in which a set of collimating optics and diffractive elements will be added to the system in order to produce multiple projections of an array of sources in the x, y and z directions. Using this method, this thesis will highlight a portable and effective lens design that will be able to conduct three-dimensional sensing in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) region.