One of the best-known detection and measurement systems is the LiDAR sensor, which stands for LightDetection and Ranging (basically Light Detection and Distance Measurement). As its name indicates, it is a system for measuring and detecting objects through a type of lightin this case the laser. Its operation is “simple”: a laser pulse is emitted to calculate surfaces and map spaces in three dimensions, something similar to what some animals such as bats do, except that, instead of emitting a sound, the LiDAR emits laser pulses .
His Application is almost infinite: agriculture, archeology, topography, forensic sciences and even photography. In fact, iPhones have one of these sensors to measure distances and be more precise. But not all LiDAR are the same. And an advance made in China proves it.
A scientific article from a team led by Shangguan Mingjiahas been recognized in this year’s awards from the international magazine Applied Optics. The study, which stood out among 1,278 submissions, demonstrates radar technology that can detect objects at great depths, a process that has been compared to “fishing for a marlin in the sea.”
In the study, Mingjia’s team unveiled the world’s first single-photon Raman LiDAR system, capable of operating at 1,000 meters below sea level. The high-sensitivity, low-noise single-photon detector overcomes the significant size and power consumption challenges of ocean LiDAR systems and it is also suitable for low light conditions.
Meanwhile, Raman scattering (the phenomenon of laser light interacting with materials to produce vibrational changes) can help identify substances such as oil and dissolved CO2, according to the study. Beyond early detection of oil spills, The system shows immense potential for detecting and identifying materials in complex aquatic environments, with applications in ocean studies and deep sea resource exploration.
According to the study, the team’s experimental demonstrations were based on a 40 cm long cylindrical radar with a diameter of 20 cm and a power consumption of less than 100 watts. The team ofMingjia points out that The radar successfully detected underwater oil spills from a distance of 12 meters using only a 1 microjoule laser pulse. The system could be deployed at depths of up to 1000 meters and is characterized by its miniaturization and high integration.
According to the Optica report, the system has important potential applications in the identification of underwater materials, the detection of corals and the exploration of manganese nodules. Since the technology offers the possibility of obtaining high-resolution laser images of small underwater targets, could also have uses in underwater archaeology, structural inspections and military fieldssuch as submarine reconnaissance and detection.
The next step is develop “another underwater Raman LiDAR that uses a shorter wavelength laser, such as a blue laser, to reduce the influence of chlorophyll fluorescence from marine plants. Additionally, we will integrate the system into autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs),” the study concludes.