title: Field tests for round-trip imaging at a 1.4  km distance with change detection and ranging using a short-wave infrared super-continuum laser.
abstract: Field tests have been conducted of a broadband illuminator for active hyperspectral imaging (HSI) using a short-wave infrared supercontinuum laser (SWIR-SCL). We demonstrated irradiance comparable to the sun for two-way measurements at a 1.4 km distance between laser and target, and performed change detection and ranging. The experimental results suggest that the range resolution of our method is ∼1.5  cm even at the 1.4 km distance. Hence, we demonstrated the possibility to perform HSI with active broadband illumination using the SWIR-SCL. To our knowledge, this experiment is the first-ever to test two-way propagation of the active HSI illumination over a long distance. The 64 W SWIR-SCL provides near sunlight-equivalent illumination over multiple square meters, and the laser could enable HSI 24 h a day, even under a cloud cover, as well as enhanced capabilities such as change detection and ranging.
authors.forename: Mohammed N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.forename: Agustin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ifarraguerri
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baxley
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wager
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Absi
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: Hyatt
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rucci