| 主权项 |
1. A real-time imager that provides at least one of 3D and 2D detail, comprising:
an illuminator comprising: means for generating at least one series of ultra-short laser pulses generated with at least one laser source emitting at least one given wavelength, a receiver comprising: optical and mechanical means for receiving a flow of light from the illuminated scene when the said illuminator is operative; and means coupled to the said optical and mechanical means for receiving a flow of light and for generating a signal representing the targeted scene on the basis of the reflected light from the scene impinging at least one single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector array; said means generating a signal representing the targeted scene and being coupled to an imaging part under at least one programmed controller, wherein the ultra short laser pulses are generated through an electronically controlled modulator to form packets of pulses into the said series of pulses, under control of a means for controlling said means for generating at least a series of ultra short laser pulses; and wherein the illuminator comprises optical and mechanical means coupled to said means for generating at least one series of ultra-short laser pulses for producing at least a predetermined spatial pattern of illumination of a scene onto at least a restricted area in at least one of in azimuth and in elevation, wherein said laser source emitting at a given wavelength comprises a mode-locked laser source operating in the infrared spectral region to provide ultra-short pulses, preferably with a duration of the order of a picosecond, and at a low average power level, optionally coupled to an intermediate semiconductor optical amplifier to amplify low power pulses to a medium power level, then to an rare-earth-doped, preferably erbium, amplifier to amplify the medium power to a high peak power. |
