3D Object Imaging through Scattering Media

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method for 3D imaging through scattering media by exploiting a new physical relationship between speckles from different depths, enabling extended depth of field and 3D reconstruction.

Contribution

It reveals a new physical relationship between speckles from different object planes, allowing 3D imaging through scattering media with a single PSF and extended depth of field.

Findings

Extended the original depth of field up to 5 times

Achieved 3D imaging beyond the traditional depth of field

Demonstrated effectiveness with standard scattering media

Abstract

Human ability to visualize an image is usually hindered by optical scattering. Recent extensive studies have promoted imaging technique through turbid materials to a reality where color image can be restored behind scattering media in real time. The big challenge now is to recover a 3D object in a large field of view with depth resolving ability. Here, we reveal a new physical relationship between speckles generated from objects at different planes. With a single given point spread function, 3D imaging through scattering media is achieved even beyond the depth of field (DOF). Experimental testing of standard scattering media shows that the original DOF can be extended up to 5 times and the physical mechanism is depicted. This extended 3D imaging is expected to have important applications in science, technology, bio-medical, security and defense.