Enabling single photon imaging at kHz frame rates using digital holography

Osian Wolley, Simon Mekhail, Thomas Gregory, Paul Antoine Moreau, Gerd Leuchs, Miles J. Padgett

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Cameras designed to operate at kHz frame rates suffer from higher noise levels due to increased readout rate. This can mean in scenarios where it is not possible to increase the illumination level, for example biomedical imaging applications, that objects may be lost in noise. The coherent gain effect inherent in an unbalanced holographic imaging system provides a solution, by amplifying the information in the signal beam with a bright reference beam. The resulting interference pattern can be detected above the noise floor of the camera, and intensity and phase images of the object reconstructed with off-Axis holography techniques. This allows for a large improvement in the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of images of the object without having to increase the illumination level. We show that using this method it is possible to obtain images with a SNR ≥ 1 down to a detected intensity on the camera of ∼1 photon per pixel per frame.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHigh-Speed Biomedical Imaging and Spectroscopy IX
EditorsKevin K. Tsia, Keisuke Goda
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510669659
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
EventHigh-Speed Biomedical Imaging and Spectroscopy IX 2024 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 2024 Jan 272024 Jan 28

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume12853
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Conference

ConferenceHigh-Speed Biomedical Imaging and Spectroscopy IX 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period24-01-2724-01-28

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Biomaterials
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Enabling single photon imaging at kHz frame rates using digital holography'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this