Harnessing forward scattering effect for high dynamic imaging

Minda Qiao; Yuhan Zhang; Haodong Yang; Linge Bai; Xue Dong; Tong Zhang; Jinpeng Liu; Fei Liu; Sylvain Gigan; Xiaopeng Shao

doi:10.1186/s43074-025-00202-6

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Minda Qiao, Yuhan Zhang, Haodong Yang, Linge Bai, Xue Dong, Tong Zhang, Jinpeng Liu, Fei Liu, Sylvain Gigan, Xiaopeng Shao. Harnessing forward scattering effect for high dynamic imaging[J]. PhotoniX. doi: 10.1186/s43074-025-00202-6

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Harnessing forward scattering effect for high dynamic imaging

doi: 10.1186/s43074-025-00202-6

1.
School of Optoelectronic Engineering, Xidian University, Xi’an, 710071, China
2.
Xi’an Key Laboratory of Computational Imaging, Xi’an, 710071, China
3.
Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, ENS-Universite PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Collège de France, Paris, France
4.
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Xi’an, 710119, China

Funds: The work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (62105254, 62205259, 62375212, and 62405231), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (XJSJ24028, XJS222202, and YJSJ25010), Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Shaanxi Province (2024JC-JCQN-60), National Key Laboratory of Space Target Awareness, and Innovation Fund of Xidian University.

Received Date: 2025-03-10
Accepted Date: 2025-09-24
Rev Recd Date: 2025-09-11

Available Online: 2025-10-16

Abstract

Abstract

Imaging scenes with a high dynamic range (HDR) of light intensities is critical for applications such as biomedical imaging, astronomical observation, and industrial automation, where accurate detection of both bright and dark regions is essential for precise analysis and decision-making. In this paper, we propose an HDR imaging approach harnessing optical forward scattering effect that breaks the limitations of image processing type. Our approach integrates a nonlinear deconvolution method based on speckle background noise estimation, along with Cross-correlation and Laplacian pyramid fusion method, to improve imaging precision and adaptability. By utilizing a digital micromirror device and a scattering diffuser, we develop a proof-of-concept experimental system, validating the effectiveness of reconstruction of faint details in HDR scenes. This method achieves dynamic range expansion from a 130.01 dB HDR scene using a detector with an 88.5 dB dynamic range, achieving a 119-fold intensity difference. Our work demonstrates a promising new solution for HDR imaging in demanding lighting environments, which could expand the scope of photoelectronic imaging application.
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References(57)

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