5D Ultrafast Imaging

Ultrafast multidimensional optical imaging has important applications in the detection of the rapidly occurring phenomena found in biology, chemistry, and physics. This information-rich optical imaging technique can provide information which enables multidimensional observation and analysis of a detected target. Compressed Ultrafast Photography (CUP) is based on compressed sensing and streak imaging. It features a high temporal resolution, high data-throughput, and single-shot acquisition. This allows CUP to capture unstable or irreversible transient scenes, surpassing pump-probe-based ultrafast imaging.

CUP has already been successfully applied in various studies of ultrafast phenomena including capturing ultrafast photons, observing optical Mach cones, and detecting chaotic dynamics. An international team led by Shian Zhang at East China Normal University demonstrated a spectral volumetric (SV) CUP system where five dimensions (x, y, z, t, and λ) were all analyzed simultaneously with a snapshot.

Schematic and 5D imaging of SV-CUP. (a) Experimental system. (b) Schematic of operating principle. (c) Reconstructed data cube of 3D mannequin. (d) Selected reconstructed images of 3D mannequin at some representative times and wavelengths. (e) Time-resolved spectroscopy extracted from reconstruction data. Credit: Ding et al. doi 10.1117/1.AP.3.4.045001.

The system boasts spatial resolutions of 0.39, 0.35, and 3 mm in x, y, and z directions and can reliably resolve a variety of 3D objects. The field of view is 8.8 mm x 6.3 mm x 15 mm, but this can be adjusted by replacing the tube lens accordingly. A temporal frame interval of 2 ps and spectral frame interval of 1.72 nm contribute to an impressive performance that results in 5D imaging with hyperspectral and volumetric resolution. [1]

Related Links

University of Southern Alabama – 5D Imaging

OMICS Journal of Radiology – 5D Imaging