Bridger Photonics, Inc.

The Research and Development Intstitute

Jason Brasseur

Michael James Thorpe

Peter Roos

Aaron Thomas Kreitinger

John L Carlsten

Nathan Joseph Greenfield

Kevin Repasky

Examples of FMCW laser radar systems and methods described herein may segment the processing of a broader bandwidth frequency chirp into multiple shorter-duration (e.g., lower bandwidth) frequency chirps. This segmentation may have the benefits in some examples of improving the measurement duty cycle and range resolution, and/or allowing for more flexible processing, and/or enabling improved detection of more distant objects.

Processing temporal segments of laser chirps and examples of use in FMCW LiDAR methods and apparatuses

Methods and apparatuses are described for frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) light detection and ranging (LiDAR). Examples are provided where high-closed-loop bandwidth, active feedback applied to laser frequency chirps may provide increases in the free-running laser coherence length for long-range FMCW distance measurements. Examples are provided that use an asymmetric sideband generator within an active feedback loop for higher closed-loop bandwidth. Examples of using a single shared reference interferometer within multiple active feedback loops that may be used for increasing the coherence length of multiple chirped lasers are described. Example calibrators are also described.

FMCW LiDAR methods and apparatuses including examples having feedback loops

A system is provided for measuring distance or displacement, comprising: first and second laser sources configured to provide first and second laser outputs; a beam combiner configured to receive and combine at least part of the first and second laser outputs into a combined laser output; a signal calibrator configured to receive at least part of the first laser output, the second laser output, or the combined laser output, and output a calibration signal; a plurality of optical paths, including a first optical path, a second optical path, the plurality of optical paths being configured to direct at least part of the combined beam onto an optical detector to produce an interference signal; and a signal processor configured to receive the interference signal and determine a pathlength difference between the first and second optical paths.

Accurate chirped synthetic wavelength interferometer

The present invention provides a means to generate a Raman-shifted output from a pump laser source. Multiple embodiments all provide a manner of producing an off-resonant, continuous wave, Raman laser by using a pump laser source having a low power. This is accomplished by using a Raman medium within a cavity having a high finesse.

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Bozeman, MT, United States of America

Jason Brasseur