Single-photon sensitive Geiger-mode LADAR cameras

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging with Short wavelength infrared (SWIR) Laser Detection and Range (LADAR) systems have been successfully demonstrated on various platforms. It has been quickly adopted in many military and civilian applications. In order to minimize the LADAR system size, weight, and power (SWAP), it is highly desirable to maximize the camera sensitivity. Recently Spectrolab has demonstrated a compact 32x32 LADAR camera with single photo-level sensitivity at 1064. This camera has many special features such as non-uniform bias correction, variable range gate width from 2 microseconds to 6 microseconds, windowing for smaller arrays, and short pixel protection. Boeing integrated this camera with a 1.06 μm pulse laser on various platforms and demonstrated 3D imaging. The features and recent test results of the 32x128 camera under development will be introduced.