title: Spectral LADAR: active range-resolved three-dimensional imaging spectroscopy.
abstract: We present the concept and experimental results for Spectral LADAR, an augmented LADAR imager combining three-dimensional (3D) time-of-flight ranging with active multispectral sensing in the shortwave infrared (1080-1620 nm). The demonstrated technique is based on a nanosecond regime pulsed supercontinuum transmitter and spectrally multiplexed receiver that computes a high-resolution range value for each of 25 spectral bands. A low frame-rate prototype unit is described. Results demonstrating 3D imaging and material type classification of objects, especially those obscured by camouflage, are shown at effective stand-off ranges exceeding 40 m. These capabilities and the highly eye safe wavelengths at which the system operates make it suitable for applications in military imaging and robotic perception.
authors.affiliation: General Dynamics, Westminster, Maryland 21157, USA. mapowers@ieee.org
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Powers
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Davis