Resolution limits for high-resolution imaging lidar

Paul S. Idell

doi:10.1117/12.43731

1 August 1991 Resolution limits for high-resolution imaging lidar

Paul S. Idell

Proceedings Volume 1416, Laser Radar VI; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43731
Event: Optics, Electro-Optics, and Laser Applications in Science and Engineering, 1991, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

We investigate the way laser-speckle noise and limited signal power affect the quality of images reconstructed from diffraction field data obtained with a pupil-plane array of optical heterodyne detectors. Modeling the detected signal from each detector sub-element as a circular-complex Gaussian random variable and taking into account the random amplitudes of the detected signals arising from laser-speckle effects, we compute the SNR of the Fourier spectrum of the coherent intensity image formed from the array of heterodyne field measurements. The resulting SNR expression is compared to that obtained earlier, P.S. Idell (1988), for the same quantity estimated from photocount-limited, focal plane detector measurements. This comparison shows that the spatial frequency SNR performance of both systems is identical when the systems are operated at high signal-level operating conditions (number of signal photocounts per speckle much greater than one). When signal levels drop significantly below one signal photocount/speckle, we find that focal plane imaging performs somewhat better at estimating all but the very highest spatial frequencies.

Citation Download Citation

Paul S. Idell "Resolution limits for high-resolution imaging lidar", Proc. SPIE 1416, Laser Radar VI, (1 August 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.43731

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available