Split-Beam Strobe Imaging for 3D Ultrafast Single-Shot Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrafast imaging technologies struggle to achieve high frame rates while maintaining spatial resolution, and they are limited in their ability to record multiple views of a dynamic scene in a single shot, especially for events with low repeatability.
Innovation Solution
A continuous stroboscopic system that uses a single pulsed laser beam split into multiple paths to capture multiple views of a dynamic scene, allowing for tomographic reconstruction and true 3D imaging with frame rates exceeding 1 million FPS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional CCD or CMOS sensors are used for high-speed photography, then spatial resolution is maintained, but frame rate is limited to approximately 10^7 FPS due to sensor readout speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process by using multiple image sensors arranged in an array, where each sensor captures a portion of the scene at different time intervals. This segmentation allows the system to achieve frame rates exceeding 10^7 FPS while maintaining spatial resolution across the entire scene through the collective data from all sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by arranging multiple image sensors in a two-dimensional array configuration. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous capture of multiple temporal snapshots across different spatial locations, effectively converting a temporal limitation into a spatial solution that maintains both high frame rate and spatial resolution.
2Speed
If strobe photography with single image sensor is used, then frame rate exceeds 10^7 FPS with sub-nanosecond exposure times, but only highly repeatable events can be recorded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using a pulsed laser illumination source that activates multiple image sensors simultaneously at precisely controlled time intervals. This preliminary synchronized activation allows the system to capture non-repeatable events in a single shot, as all sensors are ready to record at the exact moment the event occurs, eliminating the need for event repeatability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by having multiple image sensors continuously capture data across different time intervals simultaneously. This continuous multi-temporal sampling ensures that no portion of the event is missed, allowing complete recording of non-repeatable dynamics from initiation to completion in a single continuous operation.
3Speed
If multiple image sensors are used to increase frame rate, then frame rate exceeds 10^7 FPS, but the number of usable pixels per frame decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data from multiple image sensors through a computational reconstruction process that combines the partial images captured by each sensor. This merging operation reconstructs a complete high-resolution image for each time interval, effectively summing the pixel information across all sensors to maintain total pixel count while achieving high frame rates through parallel capture.
4Speed
If compressed algorithm methods are used, then frame rate exceeds hardware limits, but expensive custom equipment and complex programming are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex computational reconstruction algorithms with a straightforward optical-mechanical system consisting of multiple image sensors and a pulsed laser illumination source. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive custom equipment and complex programming by using standard off-the-shelf image sensors arranged in a simple array configuration with synchronized triggering, achieving high frame rates through hardware parallelism rather than software complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the capture of high-speed dynamics with precise timing, allowing for accurate kinematic analysis of ejecta and providing detailed 3D reconstructions without loss of spatial information.
Implementation Method 1
a pulsed laser capable of emitting light pulses
Implementation Method 2
one or more beam splitters for dividing the single pulsed laser beam into a plurality of beams traveling along a respective plurality of different paths
Implementation Method 3
a rotating mirror that deflects subsequent frames to a different location on a single large area image sensor
Implementation Method 4
a single large area image sensor for recording the deflected light pulses at frame rates that exceed 1 million FPS
Data Source
AI summary
A high speed photography system and method. The system and method use a split beam laser which is recombined after passing through an image then passed through a scanning apparatus, such as a rotating mirror, to form an image upon construction by a frame alignment algorithm. The image may be a 3D image. The system and/or method of constructing an image may use a plurality of laser beams as sourced from a single split beam or as sourced from a plurality of lasers.