China’s Breakthrough in Underwater Detection
China has achieved a significant milestone in underwater detection technology with its award-winning laser radar. This groundbreaking system, developed by researchers at Xiamen University, can identify objects at depths of up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) below sea level.
A Technology Compared to “Fishing for a Needle in the Sea”
Dubbed “fishing for a needle in the sea,” this remarkable achievement has garnered global attention. Officially named the single-photon Raman lidar system, it employs a low-power laser pulse and a compact telescope to penetrate ocean depths. Furthermore, by analyzing scattered light, the system detects and identifies various underwater objects, including oil spills, coral reefs, and valuable mineral deposits.
A New Approach to Lidar at Sea
Traditional lidar systems excel at large-scale ocean profiling but struggle with depth detection in rough seas. In contrast, Raman lidar overcomes these limitations by emitting green laser pulses that interact with substances like oil, generating unique Raman signals. These signals reveal precise details about oil content and other underwater substances, even in challenging conditions.
Transforming Ocean Exploration and Monitoring
The potential applications of this technology are vast and transformative. For instance, it could revolutionize underwater exploration, environmental monitoring, and resource extraction. Moreover, by providing unprecedented visibility into the ocean’s depths, this laser radar system could help scientists better understand marine ecosystems, track pollution, and uncover new energy sources.
“Mounting an underwater Raman lidar system on an autonomous underwater vehicle or remotely operated vehicle could enable monitoring for leaks in underwater oil pipelines,” explained research team leader Mingjia Shangguan. In addition, “it could also be used to explore oceanic resources or applied in detecting seafloor sediment types, such as coral reefs,” he added.
