Photonic-based multi-wavelength sensor for object identification.

A Photonic-based multi-wavelength sensor capable of discriminating objects is proposed and demonstrated for intruder detection and identification. The sensor uses a laser combination module for input wavelength signal multiplexing and beam overlapping, a custom-made curved optical cavity for multi-beam spot generation through internal beam reflection and transmission and a high-speed imager for scattered reflectance spectral measurements. Experimental results show that five different wavelengths, namely 473 nm, 532 nm, 635 nm, 670 nm and 785 nm, are necessary for discriminating various intruding objects of interest through spectral reflectance and slope measurements. Objects selected for experiments were brick, cement sheet, cotton, leather and roof tile.