Massively parallel coherent laser ranging using a soliton microcomb

Coherent ranging, also known as frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) laser-based light detection and ranging (lidar)1 is used for long-range three-dimensional distance and velocimetry in autonomous driving2,3. FMCW lidar maps distance to frequency4,5 using frequency-chirped waveforms and simultaneously measures the Doppler shift of the reflected laser light, similar to sonar or radar6,7 and coherent detection prevents interference from...