Three-Dimensional Target Recognition Under Photon-Starved Conditions Using Photon Counting Axially Distributed Sensing and Nonlinear Correlation

Abstract

In this paper, we present 3D target recognition under photon-starved conditions using axially distributed sensing and nonlinear correlation. 3D object in low light level environment may not be recognized due to lack of the number of photons. To detect active photons for 3D objects, photon counting imaging system can be used. In addition, axially distributed sensing can be introduced to visualize 3D images. However, it may be difficult to recognize 3D object because the visual quality of the 3D image may be remedied under photon-starved condition. To solve this problem, nonlinear correlation technique can be applied for 3D target recognition. We implement optical experiments to prove our 3D target recognition system.