Image Intensification For High Speed Videography

Kris S. Balch

doi:10.1117/12.962419

17 January 1990 Image Intensification For High Speed Videography

Kris S. Balch

Proceedings Volume 1155, Ultrahigh Speed and High Speed Photography, Photonics, and Videography '89: Seventh in a Series; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962419
Event: 33rd Annual Technical Symposium, 1989, San Diego, United States

Abstract

Light amplification techniques are needed in the more demanding high speed motion analysis applications. Some of these applications have been very difficult if not impossible to capture with videography. Applications requiring blur free images of subjects with very high velocities are solvable with this technology. This technology will improve the depth of field under normal ambient lighting or added fill light conditions. It will also improve the images, provide less blur at high velocity. The light amplification technique to be discussed uses a two stage intensifier coupled to a solid-state sensor array. This sensor is the imaging element for the KODAK EKTAPRO 1000 Motion Analyzer. The first stage shutters the image at microsecond rates. The second stage amplifies the light from the first stage over a short integration period. The coupling of these two stages to Kodak's 1000 frame per second motion analyzer has significantly extended the state-of-the-art capability for high speed videography. Videography users now have a solution for applications with scene illuminations below 10 lux, shutter speeds at microsecond rates , and framing rates above 1000 fps. Kodak's sensor integrates light over a 1/1000 second exposure. Adding a microsecond shutter shortens the light integration time to 1/1,000,000 second. Increasing the problem in applications with low scene illumination is the short integration period. Ambient light levels of 1/100 of normal office illumination level are not uncommon. This requires a light gain of approximately 10 to 12 f-stops. To appreciate the difficulty in achieving this level of performance, a technical overview of the intensifier's operation is given. Many design tradeoffs encountered during its development are discussed in this paper.

Citation Download Citation

Kris S. Balch "Image Intensification For High Speed Videography", Proc. SPIE 1155, Ultrahigh Speed and High Speed Photography, Photonics, and Videography '89: Seventh in a Series, (17 January 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.962419

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