CAOS line camera

Area of Science:

• Optical Engineering
• Image Sensing Technology
• Instrumentation

Background:

• Traditional 2D cameras face limitations in broad-spectrum, large area imaging.
• Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) based Coded Access Optical Sensor (CAOS) cameras offer unique imaging capabilities.
• Developing line-scan versions of advanced imaging systems can expand their applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and demonstrate a one-dimensional (line) version of the 2D DMD-based CAOS camera.
• To integrate a precise dual-axis mirror scanning galvo system for enhanced field of view (FOV) and eliminate mechanical target/camera movement.
• To explore future CAOS line camera designs for improved irradiance coding and reduced inter-pixel crosstalk.

Main Methods:

• A 2D DMD was operated as both a full-frame and a line modulator to demonstrate CAOS line scan imaging.
• A dual-axis mirror scanning galvo system with feedback control was incorporated into the CAOS line camera design.
• Experiments were conducted using a white light source and two test targets, comparing line scan with non-scan 2D CAOS imaging.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated CAOS line scan imaging using a 2D DMD, achieving both full-frame (127x45 pixels) and line (127 pixels) scan modes.
• Achieved significant increases in the camera unit's field of view (FOV) by factors of 2.87 (horizontal) and 1.67 (vertical) using the galvo system.
• Validated the CAOS line camera's performance against non-scan 2D CAOS imaging.

Conclusions:

• The developed CAOS line camera effectively extends CAOS imaging to a line-scan format.
• The integrated galvo system enhances FOV without requiring camera or target motion, crucial for large-area applications.
• The CAOS line camera is well-suited for broad-spectrum, large area/FOV imaging challenges requiring high dynamic range and low contrast recovery, such as industrial inspection and artwork analysis.