Large-array sub-millimeter precision coherent flash three-dimensional imaging

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Abstract High-precision three-dimensional (3D) imaging is essential for accurately perceiving environments, providing critical depth and spatial awareness. Among the various reported approaches, solid-state LiDAR systems have garnered significant attention. However, depth precision, detection range and pixel scalability remain key challenges for their widespread adoption. Here, we report a large-array coherent flash 3D imaging system that achieves a sub-millimeter range precision through stepped-frequency modulation and coherent detection with CCD sensors. A coherent image sensor is developed, and a prototype system is demonstrated, providing 3D imaging with a depth precision as high as 0.47 mm over a range of 30.50 m at an optical power of 15.85 mW. Our system features high range precision, exceptional sensitivity across long distances, and robust pixel scalability by directly leveraging well-established CCD sensors. This advancement introduces a scalable and versatile approach to long-range high-precision 3D imaging, with substantial implications for virtual reality, cultural heritage restoration, biomedical imaging, and industrial applications.
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Large-array sub-millimeter precision coherent flash three-dimensional imaging | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Large-array sub-millimeter precision coherent flash three-dimensional imaging Weifeng Zhang, Bin Wang, Junze Tian, Jianwei Wang, Shuangxiang Zhao, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5638570/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 14 Feb, 2026 Read the published version in Nature Communications → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract High-precision three-dimensional (3D) imaging is essential for accurately perceiving environments, providing critical depth and spatial awareness. Among the various reported approaches, solid-state LiDAR systems have garnered significant attention. However, depth precision, detection range and pixel scalability remain key challenges for their widespread adoption. Here, we report a large-array coherent flash 3D imaging system that achieves a sub-millimeter range precision through stepped-frequency modulation and coherent detection with CCD sensors. A coherent image sensor is developed, and a prototype system is demonstrated, providing 3D imaging with a depth precision as high as 0.47 mm over a range of 30.50 m at an optical power of 15.85 mW. Our system features high range precision, exceptional sensitivity across long distances, and robust pixel scalability by directly leveraging well-established CCD sensors. This advancement introduces a scalable and versatile approach to long-range high-precision 3D imaging, with substantial implications for virtual reality, cultural heritage restoration, biomedical imaging, and industrial applications. Physical sciences/Optics and photonics/Optical techniques/Imaging and sensing Physical sciences/Optics and photonics/Applied optics/Microwave photonics Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files NPSupplementary3DimagingV1.pdf Supplementary materials MovieS1.3Dflowerblooming.mp4 3D flower blooming video MovieS2.360degreeviewofabustsculpture.mp4 360-degree view of a bust sculpture video Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 14 Feb, 2026 Read the published version in Nature Communications → Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. 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