Frame-filtered ghost imaging with a SPAD array used both as a multiple "bucket" detector and an imaging camera

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel ghost imaging method using a single SPAD array as both a multi-pixel detector and an imaging camera, effectively reducing dark count effects and enhancing image quality.

Contribution

The approach introduces frame filtering and correlation superposition techniques to improve ghost image quality using a single SPAD array.

Findings

Significant reduction of dark count effects on ghost images

Improved image contrast and spatial resolution

Enhanced similarity to reference images

Abstract

An approach to ghost imaging with a single SPAD array used simultaneously as a several-pixel "bucket" detector and an imaging camera is described. The key points of the approach are filtering data frames used for ghost-image reconstruction by the number of per-frame counts and superposing correlation images obtained for different "bucket" pixels. The imaging is performed in an experiment with a pseudo-thermal light source where the light intensity is so low that the dark counts have a noticeable effect on imaging. We demonstrate that the approach is capable to significantly reduce the destructive effect of dark counts on the ghost image and improve image contrast, spatial resolution, and image similarity to a reference image.