Proceedings Article | 21 August 2020
KEYWORDS: 3D image processing, Holography, Stereoscopy, Prototyping, Imaging systems, 3D acquisition, Data acquisition, Sensors, Image resolution, Synthetic aperture imaging
A handheld, eye safe, EOIR, synthetic aperture, beyond-diffraction-limited, 3D imaging, prototype system has been demonstrated. The prototype uses a series of snapshot, simultaneous, multichannel, holographic images to derive all the necessary information to form synthetic aperture imagery. Each multi-channel, holographic image contains all the information necessary to form a snapshot, high-dynamic-range-depth 3-D image. The snapshot, 3-D imaging capability enables the prototype to be used as a handheld nondestructive evaluation tool for the inspection of visual surface defects on aircraft and other vehicles. The prototype’s snapshot, high-dynamic-range-depth specifications are approximately: 100mm3 3-D field of view, 1mm3 voxel, with 0.1mm depth accuracy. These specifications are for given range to target of approximately 500mm and scale linearly with distance. The prototype operates at a continuum of ranges from about 100 to 1,000mm. The prototype’s synthetic aperture ability enables an increase in resolution and has been demonstrated to deliver an approximate 6x resolution increase as a result of random handheld motion and a 10x increase due to prescribed motion. All elements of the prototype are scalable, e.g., resolution, range to target, and dynamic range. The wavelength band is selectable to accommodate requirements such as eye safety or target material properties. The prototype represents a baseline capability for either handheld, snapshot, 3-D imaging, or under certain conditions, handheld, synthetic aperture, EOIR, beyond diffraction limited, 3-D imaging.
