TIME-OF-FLIGHT OPTICAL RANGING SYSTEM BASED ON TIME-CORRELATED SINGLE-PHOTON COUNTING

The design and implementation of a prototype time-of-flight optical ra nging system based on the time-correlated single-photon-counting techn ique are described. The sensor is characterized in terms of its longit udinal and transverse spatial resolution, single-point measurement tim e, and long-term stability. The system has been operated at stand-off distances of 0.5-5 m, has a depth repeatability of <30 mu m, and has a lateral spatial resolution of <500 mu m. (C) 1998 Optical Society of America. OCIS codes: 120.3930, 150.5670, 150.6910, 280.3400.