Revolutionary Laser Ranging Technique Exploiting Chaotic Dynamics

Researchers from EPFL have unveiled an innovative approach for laser ranging that employs chaotic frequency combs in optical microresonators. This new methodology promises significant advancements in optical communication and ranging technologies. The Rolex Learning Center at EPFL was depicted using a LiDAR point cloud for this research. Credit goes to Anton Lukashchuk of EPFL.

Nonlinear systems often display a transition to chaos. Kerr microresonators driven by continuous-wave on photonic chips demonstrate this as they exhibit spatiotemporal chaos or chaotic modulation instability. For over a decade and a half, such modulation instability has been deemed less practical for use than its coherent light state equivalents, namely soliton states. The latter has been extensively used for various high-end applications, from long-distance optical communication to photonic computing.

Leveraging Chaotic Frequency Combs

However, under the guidance of Tobias Kippenberg at EPFL, the research team has pioneered a method to exploit the distinct characteristics of chaotic frequency combs. They achieved interference-resistant, unambiguous, and massively parallel laser ranging by tapping into the innate random amplitude and phase modulation of chaotic comb lines.

This pioneering research has ushered in a fresh perspective for parallel laser ranging using optical microresonators’ incoherent and chaotic light states. The novel method offers substantial benefits over traditional techniques and heralds new application avenues across various sectors.

Technical Specifics and Merits

The foundation of this groundbreaking laser ranging technique rests on the random modulation continuous-wave (RMCW) principle. Here, a carrier’s random amplitude and phase modulation are employed to examine a target via amplitude and frequency cross-correlation at the detection point.

In stark contrast to traditional continuous-wave (CW) systems that depend on external modulation, the EPFL-developed approach harnesses the natural random amplitude and phase modulation found in the chaotic comb lines of an optical microresonator. This mechanism can facilitate hundreds of multicolor-independent optical carriers, propelling massively parallel laser ranging and velocimetry.

Commercial Repercussions and Scholarly Commentary

The allure of RMCW technology is growing, with numerous LiDAR companies incorporating this technique in their market offerings. Anton Lukashchuk, a doctoral candidate in Kippenberg’s laboratory and the primary author of the study, remarked on the importance of RMCW in the forthcoming era of autonomous vehicles. He emphasized the technology’s ability to remain unaffected by interference from other LiDARs and ambient light sources. Furthermore, he noted that their technique doesn’t necessitate strict conditions related to laser frequency noise, tuning agility, linearity, or waveform initiation processes.

Johann Riemensberger, a postdoctoral researcher in Kippenberg’s group and co-author, observed that operating within the chaotic modulation instability framework results in expansive signal modulation of the comb lines. This often exceeds the resonance bandwidth, culminating in a range resolution at the centimeter level. He also highlighted the efficiency, thermal stability, simplicity, and uniform optical spectrum of chaotic microcombs.

This research breakthrough paves the way for advancements in optical ranging, spread spectrum communication, optical cryptography, and random number generation. The findings enrich our grasp of chaotic dynamics in optical setups and pave the way for precise laser ranging across diverse fields.

Source: “Chaotic microcomb-based parallel ranging” authored by Anton Lukashchuk, Johann Riemensberger, Aleksandr Tusnin, Junqiu Liu, and Tobias J. Kippenberg, published in Nature Photonics on 20 July 2023.
DOI: 10.1038/s41566-023-01246-5

Note: The chip samples used in the research were produced at the EPFL Center of MicroNanoTechnology (CMi). The research received financial backing from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, European Space Agency, and the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.

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• EPFL’s Official Research Page
• Nature Photonics Journal
• Introduction to Optical Microresonators
• Overview of Laser Ranging Techniques
• Understanding Chaotic Dynamics in Optical Systems