Methods and Apparatus for High Speed Camera

摘要

In exemplary implementations of this invention, a camera can capture multiple millions of frames per second, such that each frame is 2D image, rather than a streak. A light source in the camera emits ultrashort pulses of light to illuminate a scene. Scattered light from the scene returns to the camera. This incoming light strikes a photocathode, which emits electrons, which are detected by a set of phosphor blocks, which emit light, which is detected by a light sensor. Voltage is applied to plates to create an electric field that deflects the electrons. The voltage varies in a temporal “stepladder” pattern, deflecting the electrons by different amounts, such that the electrons hit different phosphor blocks at different times during the sequence. Each phosphor block (together with the light sensor) captures a separate frame in the sequence. A mask may be used to increase resolution.

主权项

1. A method comprising, in combination:
(a) using a photocathode to emit electrons in response to incoming light, which light is reflected from a scene and hits the photocathode; (b) applying voltage to a pair of plates in a temporally varying voltage pattern so as to cause the electrons to be deflected to different phosphor blocks in a set of phosphor blocks at different times, such that, for each respective time period in a sequence of time periods during the temporally varying voltage pattern, a majority of electrons emitted by the photocathode are deflected to a respective phosphor block in the set of phosphor blocks; and (c) using a light sensor to detect light emitted by the phosphor blocks;wherein
(i) each respective phosphor block comprises a separate phosphor screen or a subregion of a phosphor screen, and (ii) during each respective time period in the sequence, the light sensor captures a 2D image of the scene.