Comparison of flash and accumulation mode in range-gated active imaging

Frank Christnacher; Martin Laurenzis; Stéphane Schertzer

doi:10.1117/12.2028347

25 October 2013 Comparison of flash and accumulation mode in range-gated active imaging

Frank Christnacher, Martin Laurenzis, Stéphane Schertzer

Proceedings Volume 8896, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications X; 889606 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2028347
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2013, Dresden, Germany

Abstract

Range-gated active imaging has significantly been improved in the recent past. Due to the availability of high power laser diodes around 800-860 nm, it is now possible to find off-the-shelf systems working with very sensitive light intensifier and laser diodes. On the other hand, eye-safe systems working around 1.5 μm suffer from a lack of intensified sensor in the SWIR band. The only existing intensified sensors require the use of high power pulsed laser sources for the illumination. Consequently, the type of source (diode or solid-state laser) gives fundamental differences between the two types of system. The first technique which uses laser diodes, μchip or fiber lasers, is called "accumulation" imaging. These sources are characterized by a low-pulse power and high repetition rate, mostly around a few tens of kHz. Here, each image is the result of the accumulation of hundred of pulses during the frame time. The second technique which uses a solid-state laser illumination is called "flash" imaging. Here, each image is the result of a unique high power illumination of the scene at low repetition rate, mostly around the video rate. In this paper, we investigate the theoretical and practical differences between these two imaging modes and its influence on image quality, on sensitivity to day light or stray light, on fog penetration capacity, on its sensitivity to turbulences and on laser safety (NOHD). For comparative experimental purposes, we've built a range-gated active imaging system which allows the investigation of both methods. We've carried out precise comparative studies between the two acquisition methods.

Citation Download Citation

Frank Christnacher, Martin Laurenzis, and Stéphane Schertzer "Comparison of flash and accumulation mode in range-gated active imaging", Proc. SPIE 8896, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications X, 889606 (25 October 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2028347

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
9 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Fiber optic gyroscopes

Imaging systems

Image quality

Video

Modulation transfer functions

Pulsed laser operation

Cameras

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years