Magnetic magic with advanced LiDAR and optical sensor technology

Published: 2023-05-25 16:53:01 • Daniel Gårdefelt

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and optical sensors have changed the way we see things in the exciting world of technological advancements.

LiDAR and optical scanners both work because of the way light interacts with things. The technology gets better and faster the better and faster it can measure this interaction. That's where magnetic materials come in. They make these technologies work better and allow them to do more than they could before.

Magneto-optic materials, which change their optical properties when in a magnetic field, have become important contributors in this field. LiDAR systems and optical scanners can use their ability to change the polarization of light to get faster and more accurate readings.

Take for example the materials built on the Faraday effect. When these materials are placed in a magnetic field, the polarization direction of the light can change. This effect can be used to make more advanced optical isolators for LiDAR systems that stop back reflections and ensure that readings are highly accurate.

In visual sensor technology, nanoparticles that react to magnetic fields are also used. Under different magnetic fields, these nanoparticles can change how they behave, which changes how light passes through them. This feature can be used to make optical sensors that are sensitive and selective.

Photonic crystals that can be changed by magnetic fields are also becoming more and more interesting. A magnetic field can change how these structures work, which can change how much light they reflect or let through. This property can be used to make optical sensors and LiDAR devices that are more accurate and flexible.

As we learn more about how magnets and optical technology work together, we keep finding interesting new options. By adding magnets to LiDAR and visual sensor technologies, researchers are pushing the boundaries of what's possible, bridging the gap between what is and what could be.

In this case, magnets are not just inactive parts; they are also active parts of a new era in optical technology. As we move towards a more connected and smart world, magnets are sure to be a big part of how LiDAR and other optical sensors work in the future.