Computational Imaging Without a Computer: Seeing Through Random Diffusers at the Speed of Light

TL;DR

This paper introduces an all-optical, computer-free method for imaging through random diffusers using deep learning-designed diffractive surfaces, enabling real-time reconstruction at the speed of light without digital computation.

Contribution

The authors develop and experimentally validate a novel all-optical approach for image reconstruction through diffusers, eliminating the need for digital processing.

Findings

Successfully reconstructed images through unknown diffusers using THz illumination.

All-optical reconstructions do not require power beyond illumination.

Method can be extended to other wavelengths and applications.

Abstract

Imaging through diffusers presents a challenging problem with various digital image reconstruction solutions demonstrated to date using computers. We present a computer-free, all-optical image reconstruction method to see through random diffusers at the speed of light. Using deep learning, a set of diffractive surfaces are designed/trained to all-optically reconstruct images of objects that are covered by random phase diffusers. We experimentally demonstrated this concept using coherent THz illumination and all-optically reconstructed objects distorted by unknown, random diffusers, never used during training. Unlike digital methods, all-optical diffractive reconstructions do not require power except for the illumination light. This diffractive solution to see through diffusers can be extended to other wavelengths, and might fuel various applications in biomedical imaging, astronomy, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, security, robotics, among others.