A tomographic framework for LIDAR imaging

Detection and localization of underwater mines remains a challenging and important problem for safe operation of naval platforms. A number of new technologies exploit airborne LIDARs, which can penetrate the air-water interface and optically detect and localize underwater mines. Such systems process the received optical field generated by scattering within the water column, and have proven to be an effective technology for mine detection and localization. In this work, we consider the use of multiple looks at a single target to form a three-dimensional representation of the scatterers within the water column. To form such images, we account for the integration within the receive sensors, and formulate the problem in a tomographic framework. We will present preliminary image formation results generated from data collected at sea with a state-of-the-art Navy mine imaging system.