Hybrid Direct-Detect and Coherent Flash Ladar Receivers for Enhanced Sensitivity and Target Discrimination

Aerius is proposing the development of a prototype hybrid coherent and direct-detection Ladar receiver for greatly enhanced detection sensitivity, target tracking and target discrimination. The approach employs Aerius’ Optical preamplified Pixel Array (OPPA) which consists of a 2-D array of Vertical-Cavity Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (VCSOAs) that provide high optical gain and low noise to increase the sensitivity of photodetectors to near-photon-counting levels. Aerius’ approach leverages the OPPA’s compatibility with advanced direct-detection and coherent Ladar receiver technology. The OPPA offers near photon counting direct-detection while the inherent stimulated emission optical amplification process is consistent with requirements for extension of the approach to coherent detection. The OPPA operates at room temperature, utilizes mature detector array technology, and enables system performance improvements while reducing system cost, weight, and power. In Phase I Aerius demonstrated hybrid direct- and coherent-detection using our existing OPPA prototypes. In Phase II Aerius will demonstrate a full-up OPPA hybrid imaging receiver.