The Quebec genius has just made a breakthrough in the world of ultra-fast single-pixel imaging. In fact, Professor Jinyang Liang and his team have patented a device that can stream video at 12,000 frames per second using light modulation.
Posted at 11:00 am
To understand the interest in this innovation carried out at the National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS), Professor Liang begins the interview with a background. “Most smartphones and cameras use 2D sensors, which are only useful at light frequencies that our eyes can see,” he explains. 2D sensors cannot access a broader spectrum of light, e.g. B. Ultraviolet and various degrees of infrared. Unless you have a very expensive camera that offers very low performance. »
A promising prototype
One pixel technology is an attractive option. Unfortunately, existing cameras of this type are restrictive. “If I want to use an existing single-pixel camera to capture something that’s moving fast enough, there’s no hope,” says the professor.
Researchers have found methods to solve this problem: drilling holes in a piece of metal and moving it quickly. “It works and it’s better, but the metal filter needs to be fixed. If I want to change something, I have to design another filter to reconfigure the whole thing. There is a lack of flexibility. »
This is where Professor Liang and his team’s flexible, ultra-fast prototype is changing the rules of the game.
Our device retains the advantages of existing devices and eliminates the disadvantages.
Jinyang Liang, professor at the National Institute for Scientific Research
It’s a small revolution in photonics, the branch of physics that focuses on the study and manufacture of components that enable the generation, transmission, processing, or conversion of optical signals.
years of development
It took two years of work, multiple brainstorming sessions, and months of work to come up with a working prototype. A process that Jinyang Liang describes as both organic and difficult. Especially when he thinks about the supply chain during the pandemic. “Sometimes when certain products were no longer available, it drove us crazy that the suppliers didn’t know when they would be available again. We constantly had to develop alternatives and plan Cs to our plan Bs.”
Led by student Patrick Kilcullen, the project led to the development of a camera capable of capturing images of the optical properties of certain nanoparticles and studying combustion.
When we analyze the fire with a regular camera, we are blinded because the flame is too bright. Our camera can filter out much of that light and analyze what’s going on.
Jinyang Liang, professor at the National Institute for Scientific Research
He also wants to integrate the device into the terahertz detection system of surveillance equipment at airports. “We’ll investigate that in the future. »
Excited by the commercial potential of the innovation, researchers want to attract companies and push research even further. “It will be several years before the new version of our camera comes to market. »