Apparatus And Method For Optically Amplified Multi-Dimensional Spectrally Encoded Imaging
Faster shutter speedHigher frame rateHigher sensitivityNo mechanical scanning
High speed microscopyIndustrial inspection and monitoringEndoscopy, for industrial and medical use
Researchers at UCLA have developed an apparatus and method for high speed, real-time, two- and three-dimensional imaging that can overcome the fundamental trade-off between sensitivity and speed. Their process is called femtosecond real-time serial imaging (FARSI) and it employs a two-dimensional spectral pattern as a probe beam with optical amplification on the backend.The image is ultimately obtained through spectrum decoding of the back-reflected light from the sample.This technique is already described in Nature as being the “world's fastest camera.”
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State Of Development As a proof of concept, continuous real-time imaging at a frame speed of 163 nanoseconds (a frame rate of 6.1 MHz) and a shutter speed of 440 picoseconds is demonstrated in the Nature article. Background Conventional detection techniques for imaging are slow and incapable of capturing dynamic processes that occur on the time scale of nanoseconds. CCD and CMOS sensor arrays in cameras have typical frame rates of 100 Hz – 10 kHz, so even at the fastest operating shutter speeds (~100 ns) the download time can still take several milliseconds, which bottlenecks the overall image collection procedure. Faster frame rates can be achieved, but require costly and bulky cooling systems or high intensity illumination setups that can damage biological samples. Related Materials Additional Technologies by these Inventors Tech ID/UC Case 27206/2009-275-0 Related Cases 2009-275-0, 2009-280-0
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