An optimized optical system for backlit imaging

An optimized optical system for back-illuminated imaging was developed and was applied to automotive-type fuel injectors; the system provides significantly higher light collection efficiency than standard flood illumination. An engineered diffuser is used to distribute an extended light source through a controlled range of angles, and a field lens is used to redirect the light to the camera. A ray tracing analysis provides the required source size and diffuser angle to ensure that the necessary range of ray angles is included to allow fully diffuse imaging. Direct comparison with a flood illumination system showed that the collection efficiency increased by more than two orders of magnitude without any degradation of image quality.