Abstract
Single-shot ultrafast optical imaging can capture two-dimensional transient scenes in the optical spectral range at ≥100 million frames per second. This rapidly evolving field surpasses conventional pump-probe methods by possessing the real-time imaging capability, which is indispensable for recording non-repeatable and difficult-to-reproduce events and for understanding physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms. In this mini-review, we survey comprehensively the state-of-the-art single-shot ultrafast optical imaging. Based on the illumination requirement, we categorized the field into active-detection and passive-detection domains. Depending on the specific image acquisition and reconstruction strategies, these two categories are further divided into a total of six sub-categories. Under each sub-category, we describe operating principles, present representative cutting-edge techniques with a particular emphasis on their methodology and applications, and discuss their advantages and challenges. Finally, we envision prospects of technical advancement in this field.
Highlights
Optical imaging of transient events in their actual time of occurrence exerts compelling scientific significance and practical merits
Of particular interest is the effort to apply compressed sensing (CS) [23,24] in spatial and temporal domains to overcome the speed limit of conventional optical imaging systems. These three major contributors have largely propelled the field of single-shot ultrafast optical imaging by improving existing techniques and by enabling new imaging concepts. In this mini-review, we provide a comprehensive survey of the cutting-edge techniques in single-shot ultrafast optical imaging and their associated applications
Invented in the 1970s [48], this technique records time-resolving holograms by using an ultrashort reference pulse sweeping through a holographic recording medium [e.g., a film [49] for conventional holography or a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera [50] for digital holography (DH)]
Summary
Optical imaging of transient events in their actual time of occurrence exerts compelling scientific significance and practical merits. To overcome the limitations in the pump-probe methods, many single-shot ultrafast optical imaging techniques have been developed in recent years. Of particular interest is the effort to apply compressed sensing (CS) [23,24] in spatial and temporal domains to overcome the speed limit of conventional optical imaging systems. These three major contributors have largely propelled the field of single-shot ultrafast optical imaging by improving existing techniques and by enabling new imaging concepts. A summary and an outlook are provided to conclude this mini-review
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