Invited Article: Optical dynamic range compression

Abstract

We introduce the concept of optical dynamic range compression and discuss its utilities in the non-uniform quantization, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio as well as reshaping signal's statistical distribution and extending the detection range in light detection and ranging systems. The technology represents a photonics hardware accelerator that reduces the burden on the dynamic range of the photodetection and the data acquisition including the required number of bits of the analog-to-digital converter. The energy of photons that are intentionally blocked can be harvested using a two-photon photovoltaic effect. Implementations using other approaches are also discussed.