Method and apparatus for imaging a scene using a light detector operating in non-linear geiger-mode

A method for imaging a scene, comprising the steps of:

• (a) directing a light source toward a scene;
• (b) operating a monolithic array of light detectors in non-linear Geiger-mode;
• (c) directing a detector system comprising said monolithic array of light detectors toward the scene;
• (d) transmitting a pulse of light toward the scene;
• (e) detecting light reflected back from the scene using said array of light detectors;
• (f) determining a round-trip travel time of the pulse of light for each light detector in said array light detectors detecting the pulse of light;
• (g) recording positions of said light detectors in said array of light detectors detecting the pulse of light and corresponding travel times of the pulse of light;
• and
• (h) determining an image of the scene in response to recorded positions of said light detectors and corresponding round-trip travel times of the transmitted pulse of light.

An apparatus for measuring an object, comprising:

• a light source emitting pulses of light toward the object;
• a timing system in electrical communication with said light source;
• and
• a scanning detector system in electrical communication with said timing system, said scanning detector system further comprising:
• a light detector operating in non-linear Geiger-mode;
• and
• an optical system scanning the object, collecting a portion of the light scattered off of the object and directing the collected light toward said light detector.

An apparatus for measuring an object, comprising:

• a light source emitting pulses of light toward the object;
• a timing system in electrical communication with said light source;
• and
• a detector system in electrical communication with said timing system, said detector system further comprising:
• a light detector;
• and
• an optical system scanning the object, collecting a portion of the light scattered off of the object and directing the collected light toward said light detector,
• wherein said light detector consists of a single solid state nonlinear light detector operating in the Geiger-mode.

A method for imaging a scene, comprising the steps of:

• (a) directing a light source toward a scene comprising a plurality of points;
• (b) operating a light detector in non-linear Geiger-mode;
• (c) directing a detector system comprising said light detector toward a point in the scene;
• (d) transmitting a pulse of light toward the scene;
• (e) detecting light reflected back from the point using said light detector;
• (f) determining a round-trip travel time of the pulse of light;
• (g) recording a position of said detector system and said travel time of the pulse of light;
• (h) repeating steps (c)-(g) for each of said plurality of points;
• and
• (i) determining an image of the scene in response to recorded positions of said detector system and corresponding round-trip travel times of each of the transmitted pulses of light.