Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for three-dimensional imaging with wide field of view and precision timing. In accordance with one aspect, a three-dimensional imaging system includes an illumination subsystem configured to emit a light pulse with a divergence sufficient to irradiate a scene having a wide field of view. A sensor subsystem is configured to receive over a wide field of view portions of the light pulse reflected or scattered by the scene and including: a modulator configured to modulate as a function of time an intensity of the received light pulse portion to form modulated received light pulse portions; and means for generating a first image corresponding to the received light pulse portions and a second image corresponding to the modulated received light pulse portions. A processor subsystem is configured to obtain a three-dimensional image based on the first and second images.

Abstract: An electro-optic modulator (EOM) includes a first electro-optic (EO) material configured to receive light. The first EO material has an optic axis that is not parallel to the optical axis of the EOM. The optic axis indicates the direction through the first EO material along which a ray of light passing through the first EO material experiences no birefringence. The EOM also includes a polarization rotator that receives light output from the first EO material. The rotated light passes through a second EO material. The second EO material is positioned in the EOM such that its optic axis is not parallel to the optical axis of the EOM. The second EO material compensates for the birefringence and/or higher-order optical effects of the first material, thus reducing optical transmission errors of the EOM. The EOM may provide a wider field of view for imaging systems.