64 picosecond time resolved time-correlated single photon counting imaging

Abstract

High-speed imaging of dynamic scenes is a challenging and important task in many applications. However, conventional imaging methods based on charge coupled devices or complementary metal oxide semiconductors have limitations in temporal resolution and photon sensitivity. To address this problem, we propose a novel high-speed imaging scheme that combines single-pixel imaging with single photon detection and time-correlated single photon counting. Our scheme can achieve high-speed imaging with 64 ps resolution by repeating the motion scenes and using binary outputs from single photon detectors. We demonstrate our scheme by reconstructing the switching process of a digital micro-mirror device and a liquid crystal spatial light modulator. Our scheme can be further improved to 1 ps resolution by using a more accurate time-correlated single photon counting system. Moreover, our scheme can adapt to different speed scenes by adjusting the temporal resolution and reducing the sampling time. Our high temporal resolution imaging scheme further expands the application areas of single-pixel imaging and provides solutions for scenes requiring single photon detection and higher temporal resolution, such as reproducible chemical reaction processes imaging, cellular or sub-cellular bio imaging, single-molecule imaging of rotary motors, high-speed equipment inspection, and other periodic high-speed scenes imaging.