Called synthetic wavelength holography, the new method works by indirectly scattering coherent light onto hidden objects, which then scatters again and travels back to a camera.
From there, an algorithm reconstructs the scattered light signal to reveal the hidden objects. Due to its high temporal resolution, the method also has potential to image fast-moving objects, such as the beating heart through the chest or speeding cars around a street corner.
The relatively new research field of imaging objects behind occlusions or scattering media is called non-line-of-sight imaging. Compared to related imaging technologies, the Northwestern method can rapidly capture full-field images of large areas with submillimetre precision.
With this level of resolution, the computational camera could potentially image through the skin to see even the tiniest capillaries at work, the researchers said.
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