Real-time imaging through dynamic scattering media enabled by fixed optical modulations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a real-time imaging method through dynamic scattering media using optical diffraction neural networks, overcoming limitations of traditional static assumptions and enabling high-speed imaging of moving objects.

Contribution

It presents a novel fixed modulation approach with ODNNs trained on simulated data, effectively counteracting time-dependent scattering perturbations in real time.

Findings

Achieves 80 Hz imaging of moving objects in dynamic media.

Demonstrates immunity to speckle decorrelation and leverages it for better image quality.

Operates effectively within 1-2 transport mean free paths.

Abstract

Dynamic scattering remains a significant challenge to the practical deployment of anti-scattering imaging. Existing methods, such as transmission matrix measurements, iterative wavefront shaping, and optical phase conjugation, depend on a quasi-static assumption, requiring the object and scattering medium to remain stable during a single imaging process to enable one-to-one compensation. However, image reconstruction becomes unattainable when this assumption is violated. Here, we propose a novel imaging strategy that counteracts time-dependent scattering perturbations through a fixed modulation module. This one-to-many compensation mechanism is realized via optical diffraction neural networks (ODNNs) trained on simulated datasets. For the first time, we reveal that its feasibility stems from the optical shower-curtain effect, and its effectiveness typically within 1-2 transport mean free paths. Our approach is not only immune to speckle decorrelation but also leverages it to enhance image quality. ODNNs generalize effectively to real-world scattering medium scenarios via multi-simulated scattering media learning and reconstruct images in real time with light-speed processing. We achieve 80 Hz imaging of moving objects in dynamic scattering media with decorrelation times < 1 ms, demonstrating applicability in large-field-of-view imaging and incoherent illumination scenarios. This work lays the foundation for high-speed, intelligent optical imaging, advancing practical anti-dynamic scattering techniques.