What distinguishes coherent lidar from non-coherent lidar?

Coherent lidar distinguishes itself primarily by utilizing the phase of light for measurement. This capability is essential for achieving high-resolution imaging and is particularly effective in assessing distance and velocity. Coherent systems are able to extract phase information from the returned light signal, allowing for precise determinations of target characteristics based on phase shifts.

In contrast, non-coherent lidar systems do not utilize phase information; instead, they typically rely on the intensity of the returned light for their measurements. This results in lower resolution compared to coherent systems, as the phase information, which allows for more detailed analysis, is lost.

Overall, the ability of coherent lidar to measure the phase of light underpins its advanced performance in applications such as atmospheric sensing, target detection, and ranging, making it distinct from non-coherent lidar systems.