Kyoto Univ: New high-performance LiDAR developed: Photonic crystal laser installed
Kyoto University: Hokuyo Electric
On June 2, Prof. Noda of Kyoto University/Optical Sensor Hokuyo Denki (Osaka City) team announced a new high-performance LiDAR.
Using “2D photonic crystal” material,
You can precisely control the path of light
It has become possible to reduce the size and cost of the device.
New high performance LiDAR:
The device measures the distance to the object from the time it takes for the reflected light to return.
It can capture an object 100 meters ahead with the maximum output.
It is expected to be used in machines that move around by grasping the positions of objects around them, such as a baggage carrying robot in a factory.
KYODO
https://this.kiji.is/651206117243470945
Successful development of new LiDAR: equipped with photonic crystal laser
-Contributing to the development of smart mobility in the coming super-smart society-
Kyoto University / Hokuyo Electric:
The world’s first successful development of an optical distance measurement system (LiDAR: Light Detection and Ranging) equipped with a photonic crystal laser.
We proved that “photonic crystal laser is extremely effective for smart mobility“.
Importance of LiDAR:
The optical distance measuring system (LiDAR) is extremely important for realizing automatic driving of robots, agricultural machines, construction machines, automobiles, etc.
For the light source at the heart of the LiDAR system, it is essential to utilize a semiconductor laser, which is characterized by its small size and low cost.
Conventional problems:
At high power, the beam quality deteriorates significantly,
Uses a complex lens for astigmatism and beam divergence,
Since it is necessary to shape the beam and then use it,
The precise adjustment is costly,
Degrades spatial resolution,
There was the above problem.
There was also a problem that “the influence of background light such as sunlight becomes large” because “the operating wavelength is highly dependent on the ambient temperature”.
Solve the problem:
“High beam quality and beam emission with narrow divergence angle” even during high-power operation
Uses a photonic crystal laser that has little temperature dependence of operating wavelength,
Further improve the performance of the photonic crystal laser,
We have succeeded in developing the LiDAR equipped with this laser for the first time in the world.
Results of this research:
This shows that the photonic crystal laser is extremely promising as a light source that will support the super smart society of the future.
It will be announced on July 13, 2020, at Advanced Photonics Congress (On-line) of Optical Society of America.
https://www.jst.go.jp/pr/announce/20200630/index.html
Tailoring and characterization of photonic crystals
Abstract
Photonic crystals are promising systems for application in the fields of optoelectronics and optical communications.
Understanding of their underlying physical principles and techniques for fabrication and characterization has progressed significantly during the last decade.
This paper outlines the main achievements in these areas, and gives an overview of various photonic crystal systems,
including those fabricated in semiconductors by traditional tools of microelectronics, and those fabricated from glasses, resins and other materials using novel non-traditional techniques.
ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1389556701000090