A Microcomb-empowered Fourier Domain Mode-locked LIDAR

Overview

Journal Sci Adv

Date 2025 Feb 5

PMID 39908373

Authors

Zhaoyu Cai

Zihao Wang

Ziqi Wei

Baoqi Shi

Wei Sun

Changxi Yang

Junqiu Liu

Chengying Bao

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) has emerged as an indispensable tool in autonomous technology. Among its various techniques, frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LIDAR stands out due to its capability to operate with ultralow return power, immunity to unwanted light, and simultaneous acquisition of distance and velocity. However, achieving a rapid update rate with submicrometer precision remains a challenge for FMCW LIDARs. Here, we present such a LIDAR with a sub-10-nanometer precision and a 24.6-kilohertz update rate by combining a broadband Fourier domain mode-locked (FDML) laser with a silicon nitride soliton microcomb. An ultrahigh-frequency chirp rate up to 320 petahertz per second is linearized by a 50-gigahertz microcomb to reach this performance. Our theoretical analysis also contributes to resolving the challenge of FMCW velocity measurements with nonlinear frequency sweeps and enables us to realize velocity measurement with an uncertainty below 0.4 millimeter per second. Our work shows how microcombs can unlock the potential of ultrafast frequency sweeping lasers.

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