High-resolution long-range 3D single-photon imaging with a compact SPAD array

Abstract

High-resolution three-dimensional imaging under photon-starved conditions remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate a high-resolution long-range 3D single-photon imaging system based on a digital micromirror device (DMD) and a compact 64 multiply 64 single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array. By combining high-resolution spatial modulation with parallel time-resolved detection, the system extends the effective spatial sampling beyond the native detector format while preserving depth information through time-of-flight measurement. In outdoor experiments at a stand-off distance of 670 m, we achieved 3D reconstruction of natural targets with an effective spatial resolution of 256 multiply 256. These results validate the proposed method as an effective approach for high-resolution long-range 3D single-photon imaging using compact SPAD arrays.