- Scientists have made a big leap by adding a powerful sensor, called a “superconducting nanowire single-photon detector” (SNSPD), to a LiDAR system, and the results are amazing.
- This setup can create detailed 3D images from a whole kilometer away, making it useful for mapping, military operations, and space research.
- But the team isn’t stopping there; they plan to test the system’s capabilities at distances of up to 10 kilometers soon.
LiDAR, short for Light Detection and Ranging, was created by Hughes Aircraft Company back in 1961. Many engineers and scientists rely on it every day. It uses laser pulses to measure distances very accurately, aiding fields like robotics, self-driving cars, and underwater mapping.
A recent study by Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh—along with teams from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MIT, and the University of Glasgow—has improved LiDAR technology. Their new system captures 3D data from an impressive distance of one kilometer, achieving millimeter-level resolution.
The breakthrough is thanks to the SNSPD sensor, co-developed by NASA and MIT. It can detect a single photon with incredible timing, measuring just 13 picoseconds—10 times better than current technologies. The study’s findings were shared in the journal Optica.
Lead author Aongus McCarthy from Heriot-Watt University remarked, “The timing is really phenomenal. It allows us to measure variations in depth very accurately—on a millimeter scale—so we can distinguish between closely spaced surfaces at long distances.”
Depth measurements from the SNSPD-enabled LiDAR system at a distance of 325 meters.
The system was tested at three distances: 45 meters, 325 meters, and one kilometer. An example image captured at 325 meters shows impressive accuracy, measuring depth to within one millimeter. This capability opens up many possibilities, especially for military use.
“The system’s excellent depth resolution is great for imaging objects hidden behind obstacles, like trees or camouflage,” said McCarthy. “It could spot an object just a few centimeters behind a camo net, something that regular cameras struggle to do.”
Another advantage is its ability to work well during the day. Typically, sunlight can cause issues for such systems. However, the SNSPD uses a wavelength of 1550 nanometers, which reduces interference and is safe for the eyes.
The mid-infrared wavelength also hints at the original use of the SNSPD. It’s especially effective for studying exoplanets, as there aren’t many high-performing sensors for these wavelengths, which makes them appealing for NASA’s future projects.
Just like many NASA innovations that have benefited our everyday lives, the SNSPD will improve both space exploration and ground-based applications. The team is eager to push the system’s limits and explore further distances.
“Can we identify vehicle types at 10 kilometers? Like whether it’s a car or a tank?” asked McCarthy. “That’s the exciting part for us.”
One challenge for this system is its size. Being “superconducting” means it needs very low temperatures, so it must operate in a special fridge that keeps it at 1 Kelvin, or -272 degrees Celsius. This is essential for the nanowire to work without resistance until a photon hits it.
While this technology may not be as everyday as memory foam, it shows we are just beginning to uncover the full potential of LiDAR.
Darren lives in Portland, has a cat, and writes/edits about sci-fi and how our world works. You can find his previous stuff at Gizmodo and Paste if you look hard enough.
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