Abstract: A few-mode light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system may include an illumination source to generate an illumination beam, one or more transmission optics to direct at least a portion of the illumination beam within a field of view, one or more collection optics to collect return light from an object in the field of view illuminated by the illumination beam, wherein the collected return light includes a plurality of spatial modes, a few-mode optical amplifier to optically amplify portions of the return light propagating along at least two of the plurality of spatial modes, and a detector configured to convert output light from the few-mode optical amplifier to an output electrical signal.

Abstract: A CO comprises a plurality of IM lasers and a Butler matrix system coupled to the plurality of IM lasers. The Butler matrix system comprises a plurality of optical input ports corresponding to the plurality of IM lasers, Butler matrix components coupled to the plurality of optical input ports, and a plurality of optical output ports coupled to the Butler matrix components and corresponding to the plurality of optical input ports. A method comprises generating an optical signal; receiving an analog electrical signal; modulating the analog electrical signal onto the optical signal using IM to create a modulated optical signal; and introducing, using a Butler matrix system, a phase shift to the modulated optical signal to create a phase-shifted modulated optical signal.