Demonstration of literal three-dimensional imaging

In a recent paper a new technique was proposed for remote ranging and topog raphical mapping by using a system with a single-photon-counting detector a nd a low-power pulsed laser [Appl. Opt. 35, 441 (1996)]. We report on the r esults from the laboratory and the field demonstration of this literal thre e-dimensional imaging technique. Using a detector system developed at Los A lamos with a commercial pulsed laser and observing from a single remote van tage point, we demonstrate use of this technique in the literal mapping of three-dimensional topography and the probing of a complex scene. With a rea sonably short exposure this system can resolve features with height variati ons as small as 5 cm. (C) 1999 Optical Society of America.