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.

INNOVATION:  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." [ http://www.nature.com/news/2009/090429/full/news.2009.412.html ]

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• High speed microscopy
• Industrial inspection and monitoring
• Endoscopy, for industrial and medical use

ADVANTAGES

• Faster shutter speed
• Higher frame rate
• Higher sensitivity
• No mechanical scanning

DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE:  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.

Related Papers (Selected)

• K. Goda, K. K. Tsia, and B. Jalali. "Serial time-encoded amplified imaging for real-time observation of fast dynamic phenomena." Nature 458, 1145-1149 (30 April 2009) DOI: 10.1038/nature07980 [more]

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2009-280