Ultrafast IR portable camera based on encoded light

Ultrafast IR portable camera based on encoded light for techtransfer

Ultrahigh-speed infrared cameras find applications in various industries, including defense, research, and semiconductor inspection, for capturing fast events with precision and detecting challenging targets. This capability facilitates the understanding of dynamic processes, fostering breakthroughs across different industries. However, the cameras currently available in the market are bulky, expensive, and offer limited frame rates.

Researchers from the University of Barcelona have developed an IR single-pixel camera, providing a cost-effective and portable alternative with sub-nanosecond response times. This camera can be equipped with an LED matrix to achieve spatial resolution, where each LED can have its own flickering frequency. This information is later decoded through post-processing to obtain the final image.

Figure 1: Test displaying different framerates obtained with the system
Figure 1: Test displaying different framerates obtained with the system

The researchers have requested patent applications for this technology (23 382 988.6). The current TRL of the invention is TRL 5.

Figure 2: Behavior of the system. The LED array allows spatial resolution of the obtained images.
Figure 2: Behavior of the system. The LED array allows spatial resolution of the obtained images.

The presented ultrafast device can provide the following potential benefits, in comparison with state-of-the-art systems:

  • Cost-effective components: about 100 euros.
  • Lightweight and portable system that can be used in a broader range of applications.
  • IR sensitivity.
  • Fast system: It features sub-nanosecond response time, able to obtain images up to 1 million fps.
  • While the system itself lacks spatial resolution, a LED array can be used to obtain it.

The represented institution is looking for a collaboration that leads to commercial exploitation of the presented invention.

Institution: Universitat de Barcelona

TRL: 5

Protection status: Patent Application

Contact: Pablo Lago / tech@viromii.com