Abstract
High-precision three-dimensional (3D) imaging is essential for accurately perceiving environments, providing critical depth and spatial awareness. Among various approaches, solid-state LiDAR systems have garnered significant attention. However, depth precision, detection range and pixel scalability remain key challenges for their widespread adoption. Here, we report a large-array coherent flash 3D imaging system that achieves a sub-millimeter range precision through stepped-frequency modulation and coherent detection with CCD sensors. A coherent image sensor is developed, and a prototype system is demonstrated, providing 3D imaging with a depth precision as high as 0.47 mm over a range of 30.50 m at an optical power of 15.86 mW and a maximum frame rate of 10 Hz. Our system features high range precision, exceptional sensitivity across long distances, and robust pixel scalability by directly leveraging well-established CCD sensors. This advancement introduces a scalable approach to long-range high-precision 3D imaging, with substantial implications for deformation monitoring, virtual reality, and cultural heritage preservation.
Data availability
The authors declare that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the paper and its Supplementary Information. The experimental data generated in this study are deposited in Figshare at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.30948620.
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Acknowledgements
Financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Number: 62227901 to T.Z. and U22A2018 to W.F.Z.).
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B.W., J.Z.T., W.F.Z., and Y.Y.L. conceived and designed the project. J.Z.T., S.X.Z, J.H.D., and S.K.X. performed most experiments; J.Z.T., J.W.W., T.Z., and E.K.M. analyzed data and organized figures; and all authors provided intellectual input and contributed to the text.
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Wang, B., Tian, J., Wang, J. et al. Large-array sub-millimeter precision coherent flash three-dimensional imaging. Nat Commun (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69188-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-69188-4
