Overcoming the shot-noise limitation of three-dimensional active imaging

Depth resolution is limited by the photoelectron shot noise in conventional gain-modulated active three-dimensional (3D) imaging methods. A proposed method, which is based on photon intensity correlation, is presented to overcome the depth resolution limitation. The signal photons are amplified by an imaging intensifier, and are then divided into two beams by a beam splitter. The theory shows that the shot-noise limitation is broken using the strong intensity coherence between the two beams. The experiment results show that the depth resolution of the correlated active 3D imaging method is three times better than that of the shot-noise limitation.     

Design and performance evaluation of the imaging payload for a remote sensing satellite

In this paper an analysis method and corresponding analytical tools for design of the experimental imaging payload (IMPL) of a remote sensing satellite (SINA-1) are presented. We begin with top-level customer system performance requirements and constraints and derive the critical system and component parameters, then analyze imaging payload performance until a preliminary design that meets customer requirements. We consider system parameters and components composing the image chain for imaging payload system which includes aperture, focal length, field of view, image plane dimensions, pixel dimensions, detection quantum efficiency, and optical filter requirements. The performance analysis is accomplished by calculating the imaging payload's SNR (signal-to-noise ratio), and imaging resolution. The noise components include photon noise due to signal scene and atmospheric background, cold shield, out-of-band optical filter leakage and electronic noise. System resolution is simulated through cascaded modulation transfer functions (MTFs) and includes effects due to optics, image sampling, and system motion. Calculations results for the SINA-1 satellite are also presented.     

Three-dimensional NMR microscopy: improving SNR with temperature and microcoils.

It is widely held that the spatial resolution achievable by NMR microscopic imaging is limited in biological systems by diffusion to approximately 1-5 microns. However, these estimates were developed for specific imaging techniques and represent practical rather than fundamental limits. NMR imaging is limited by the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Diffusion effects on spatial resolution can be made arbitrarily small in principle by increasing the gradient strength. The exponential signal attenuation from random spin motion in a gradient, however, will reduce the signal far below the noise level when the voxel size is reduced much below 5 microns. Two factors can be optimized to improve the SNR: (1) the inductive linkage between microscopic samples and the detection apparatus and (2) the temperature of the rf probe. In this work, the filling factor was optimized using inductors with diameters less than 1 mm. It is furthermore shown that probe circuit cooling results in significant improvements in SNR, whereas cooling of the preamplifier is of little value when proper noise matching between the resonant circuit and preamplifier is accomplished. Using three-dimensional Fourier imaging techniques, we have obtained images of single-cell organisms with spatial resolution of approximately 6 microns. Practical limitations include mechanical stability of the apparatus, thermal shielding between the sample and probe, and the magnetic susceptibility of the sample.     

Assessment of image resolution improvement by phase-sensitive optical parametric amplification

Classical information theory can be used to quantify the resolution performance of optical imaging systems. When an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) operated as a phase-sensitive amplifier (PSA) in the transverse spatial domain is used for point source imaging, the angular resolution improvement can approach the de Broglie resolution (i.e. Heisenberg limit). In this paper, classical information theory is employed to quantify the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement for both an ideal and a realistic multimode PSA applied to the problem of sub-Rayleigh imaging. When only considering the noise originating from the detector, the SNR improvement is found to scale quadratically as a function of the PSA gain, in the limit of noise power comparable to signal power. Differences in performance of an ideal PSA and a realistic PSA are discussed.     

距离选通技术对后向散射抑制作用的理论分析

 从辐射度学的基本理论出发，建立了单CCD像元的距离选通激光主动成像模型。而后考虑成像质量，借助单CCD像元信噪比和图像均方差误差两个指标，阐明了距离选通技术是抑制后向散射、增大成像距离、提高图像质量的有效手段。最后从模型出发，导出了距离选通技术在激光主动成像中应用时一些关键参数的选取原则:(1) 尽可能减小激光脉冲宽度，以克服后向散射的影响；（2） 要能够达到尽可能远的观测距离，在激光功率一定的条件下，激光占空比越大越好；（3）在激光满足一定条件的情况下，脉冲频率越高越好。     

Signal fluctuations in fMRI data acquired with 2D-EPI and 3D-EPI at 7 Tesla

Segmented three-dimensional echo planar imaging (3D-EPI) provides higher image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) than standard single-shot two-dimensional echo planar imaging (2D-EPI), but is more sensitive to physiological noise. The aim of this study was to compare physiological noise removal efficiency in single-shot 2D-EPI and segmented 3D-EPI acquired at 7 Tesla. Two approaches were investigated based either on physiological regressors (PR) derived from cardiac and respiratory phases, or on principal component analysis (PCA) using additional resting-state data. Results show that, prior to physiological noise removal, 2D-EPI data had higher temporal SNR (tSNR), while spatial SNR was higher in 3D-EPI. Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) sensitivity was similar for both methods. The PR-based approach allowed characterization of relative contributions from different noise sources, confirming significant increases in physiological noise from 2D to 3D prior to correction. Both physiological noise removal approaches produced significant increases in tSNR and BOLD sensitivity, and these increases were larger for 3D-EPI, resulting in higher BOLD sensitivity in the 3D-EPI than in the 2D-EPI data. The PCA-based approach was the most effective correction method, yielding higher tSNR values for 3D-EPI than for 2D-EPI postcorrection.     

High-resolution gadolinium-enhanced 3D MRA of the infrapopliteal arteries. Lessons for improving bolus-chase peripheral MRA

Peripheral magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is growing in use. However, methods of performing peripheral MRA vary widely and continue to be optimized, especially for improvement in illustration of infrapopliteal arteries. The main purpose of this project was to identify imaging factors that can improve arterial visualization in the lower leg using bolus chase peripheral MRA. Eighteen healthy adults were imaged on a 1.5T MR scanner. The calf was imaged using conventional three-station bolus chase three-dimensional (3D) MRA, two dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) MRA and single-station Gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced 3D MRA. Observer comparisons of vessel visualization, signal to noise ratios (SNR), contrast to noise ratios (CNR) and spatial resolution comparisons were performed. Arterial SNR and CNR were similar for all three techniques. However, arterial visualization was dramatically improved on dedicated, arterial-phase Gd-enhanced 3D MRA compared with the multi-station bolus chase MRA and 2D TOF MRA. This improvement was related to optimization of Gd-enhanced 3D MRA parameters (fast injection rate of 2 mL/sec, high spatial resolution imaging, the use of dedicated phased array coils, elliptical centric k-space sampling and accurate arterial phase timing for image acquisition). The visualization of the infrapopliteal arteries can be substantially improved in bolus chase peripheral MRA if voxel size, contrast delivery, and central k-space data acquisition for arterial enhancement are optimized. Improvements in peripheral MRA should be directed at these parameters.     

无扫描激光三维成像雷达研究进展及趋势分析

无扫描激光三维成像雷达具有体积小、质量轻、高分辨率、高精度和对动态目标无失真成像等优点,目前已成为许多国家研究的重点和热点。本文阐述了闪光式、光子计数、增益调制型等7种无扫描激光三维成像雷达体制和距离选通成像技术的基本原理,追踪并归纳了其研究进展,对比分析了各体制的技术优劣,并从核心器件角度分析了发展趋势。结论如下:采用2D传感器在光学层面进行时间信息转换实现三维成像的方法具有高分辨率、高能量利用率和高信噪比等特点,在航天、测绘、军事、民用等领域具有突出优势和应用前景。     

Evaluation of the inner ear by 3D fast asymmetric spin echo (FASE) MR imaging: phantom and volunteer studies

The 3D fast asymmetric spin echo (FASE) method combines the half-Fourier technique and 3D fast spin echo (FSE) sequence. The advantage of this method is that it maintains the same spatial resolution as FSE while markedly reducing the imaging time. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the 3D FASE technique in displaying the inner ear structure using phantom and volunteer studies. 3D FSE sequence images were obtained for comparison, and the optimum 3D FASE sequence was investigated on a 1.5T MR scanner. The results of phantom experiments showed increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with prolonging repetition time (TR) on both 3D FASE and 3D FSE sequences. Although the SNR of 3D FASE images was 20-25% lower than that of 3D FSE images with the same TR, the SNR per minute with 3D FASE was about twice that with 3D FSE. On 3D FASE images, a higher spatial resolution was obtained with 2- or 4-shot images than with single-shot images. However, no significant difference was observed between 2-shot and 4-shot images. In the volunteer study, 3D FASE images using a TR of 5000 ms and an effective echo time (TEeff) of 250 ms showed a high SNR and spatial resolution and provided excellent contrast between cerebrospinal fluid and nerves in the internal auditory canal. The highest contrast was achieved in the 2-shot/2 number of excitations sequence. 3D FASE provides the same image quality as 3D FSE with a significant reducing in imaging time, and gives strong T2-weighted images. This method enables detailed visualization of the tiny structures of the inner ear.     

Parallel imaging with 3D TPI trajectory: SNR and acceleration benefits

Three-dimensional (3D) twisted projection imaging (TPI) trajectory has a unique advantage in sodium (²³Na) imaging on clinical MRI scanners at 1.5 or 3 T, generating a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with a short acquisition time (∼10 min). Parallel imaging with an array of coil elements transits SNR benefits from small coil elements to acquisition efficiency by sampling partial k-space. This study investigates the feasibility of parallel sodium imaging with emphases on SNR and acceleration benefits provided by the 3D TPI trajectory. Computer simulations were used to find available acceleration factors and noise amplification. Human head studies were performed on clinical 1.5/3-T scanners with four-element coil arrays to verify simulation outcomes. In in vivo studies, proton (¹H) data, however, were acquired for concept–proof purpose. The sensitivity encoding (SENSE) method with the conjugate gradient algorithm was used to reconstruct images from accelerated TPI-SENSE data sets. Self-calibration was employed to estimate coil sensitivities. Noise amplification in TPI-SENSE was evaluated using multiple noise trials. It was found that the acceleration factor was as high as 5.53 (corresponding to acceleration number 2×3, ring-by-rotation), with a small image error of 6.9% when TPI projections were reduced in both polar (ring) and azimuthal (rotation) directions. The average noise amplification was as low as 98.7%, or 27% lower than Cartesian SENSE at that acceleration factor. The 3D nature of both TPI trajectory and coil sensitivities might be responsible for the high acceleration and low noise amplification. Consequently, TPI-SENSE may have potential advantages for parallel sodium imaging.     

Characterization of a 3D MEMS fabricated micro-solenoid at 9.4 T

We present for the first time a complete characterization of a micro-solenoid for high resolution MR imaging of mass- and volume-limited samples based on three-dimensional B(0), B(1) per unit current (B(1)(unit)) and SNR maps. The micro-solenoids are fabricated using a fully micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) compatible process in conjunction with an automatic wire-bonder. We present 15 μm isotropic resolution 3D B(0) maps performed using the phase difference method. The resulting B(0) variation in the range of [-0.07 ppm to -0.157 ppm] around the coil center, compares favorably with the 0.5 ppm limit accepted for MR microscopy. 3D B(1)(unit) maps of 40 μm isotropic voxel size were acquired according to the extended multi flip angle (ExMFA) method. The results demonstrate that the characterized microcoil provides a high and uniform sensitivity distribution around its center (B(1)(unit) = 3.4 mT/A ± 3.86%) which is in agreement with the corresponding 1D theoretical data computed along the coil axis. The 3D SNR maps reveal a rather uniform signal distribution around the coil center with a mean value of 53.69 ± 19%, in good agreement with the analytical 1D data along coil axis in the axial slice. Finally, we prove the microcoil capabilities for MR microscopy by imaging Eremosphaera viridis cells with 18 μm isotropic resolution.     

基于压缩光的量子激光雷达技术

利用Wigner函数对真空态、单光子态、压缩态在相空间的噪声分布进行仿真,并系统分析了基于压缩光的量子相干激光雷达和压缩光注入式量子激光雷达.研究表明,相比经典激光雷达,较高压缩度有利于量子相干激光雷达探测信噪比的提升,理论上8dB的压缩度可以使信噪比提高6.25倍;而压缩光注入式量子激光雷达系统的空间分辨率主要取决于真空压缩光的压缩度和无噪声相敏放大系统的增益.由于压缩光对探测信噪比的提升作用,量子激光雷达在微弱信号探测和高分辨率成像领域具有显著优势.     

HL-2A装置中性束发射光谱 诊断系统的研制与测试

在HL-2A装置上完成了一套32通道束发射诊断系统(BES)，可对径向r=12~44cm, 极向-7.5~+7.5cm二维空间范围内的长波长()电子密度扰动信息进行测量，其时间分辨率达到0.5ms，空间分辨率1~2cm。系统由内置于真空室的非对称镜头组、传输光纤、高性能探测器模块以及辅助的冷却和真空设备构成。系统的噪声在低频时(f<100kHz)主要由散粒噪声贡献，在较高频率时由散粒噪声和e噪声共同决定。在典型的HL-2A装置放电模式中，对于200kHz以下的扰动，该系统的信噪比(SNR)均大于3。     

Three-dimensional photon counting integral imaging using moving array lens technique

In this Letter, we present three-dimensional (3D) photon counting integral imaging using the moving array-lens technique (MALT) to improve the visualization of a reconstructed 3D scene. In 3D scene reconstruction of photon counting integral imaging, various techniques such as maximum likelihood estimation may be used. However, the visual quality depends on the number of scene photons or detector pixels activated by photons. We show that MALT may improve the viewing resolution of integral imaging for reconstructed 3D scene under photon-starved conditions.     

High speed pseudorandom modulation fiber laser ranging system

A laser ranging system using all fiber high speed pseudorandom （PN） coded laser at 1550 nm and photon counting is proposed to realize high spatial resolution. Different lengths of PN code are employed in the optical fiber delay ranging test, the results show the improvement in both ranging accuracy and signal-tonoise ratio （SNR） as PN code trains increase. A ranging accuracy of 3 cm is acquired when transmitting pulses propagate to a target of 1.77 km away and received by an InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode （APD）. Simulation is also carried out under space borne condition based on current system. The system is demonstrated to have a potential for remote ranging and imaging.     

Superiority of 3D wavelet-packet denoising in MR microscopy

Three dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) datasets are becoming increasingly important in clinical and research applications because of their inherent signal to noise (SNR) advantages, high resolution and isotropic voxels. Despite SNR advantages, some 3D acquisitions may be SNR-limited, particularly in MR microscopy. Historically, both classic filtering and wavelet-based denoising techniques have been performed on a slice-by-slice basis. In principle, adaptive techniques such as best- basis wavelet-packet denoising might offer inherent advantages when performed in 3D, instead of 2D, by tracking through plane "structure" and suppressing noise "pseudostructure." This hypothesis was tested in 10 volumetric MR microscopy datasets from several different MR microscopy atlas projects. 3D wavelet-packet denoised images consistently yielded lower minimum mean-square error and subjectively perceived noise power than corresponding 2D denoised images using otherwise identical algorithms and parameters. MR microscopy researchers preferred the denoised images to the unprocessed images for their atlas projects.     

SNR and functional sensitivity of BOLD and perfusion-based fMRI using arterial spin labeling with spiral SENSE at 3 T

Blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies using parallel imaging to reduce the readout window have reported a loss in temporal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that is less than would be expected given a purely thermal noise model. In this study, the impact of parallel imaging on the noise components and functional sensitivity of both BOLD and perfusion-based fMRI data was investigated. Dual-echo arterial spin labeling data were acquired on five subjects using sensitivity encoding (SENSE), at reduction factors (R) of 1, 2 and 3. Direct recording of cardiac and respiratory activity during data acquisition enabled the retrospective removal of physiological noise. The temporal SNR of the perfusion time series closely followed the thermal noise prediction of a √R loss in SNR as the readout window was shortened, with temporal SNR values (relative to the R=1 data) of 0.72 and 0.56 for the R=2 and R=3 data, respectively, after accounting for physiological noise. However, the BOLD temporal SNR decreased more slowly than predicted even after accounting for physiological noise, with relative temporal SNR values of 0.80 and 0.63 for the R=2 and R=3 data, respectively. Spectral analysis revealed that the BOLD trends were dominated by low-frequency fluctuations, which were not dominant in the perfusion data due to signal processing differences. The functional sensitivity, assessed using mean F values over activated regions of interest (ROIs), followed the temporal SNR trends for the BOLD data. However, results for the perfusion data were more dependent on the threshold used for ROI selection, most likely due to the inherently low SNR of functional perfusion data.     

微光像增强器信噪比理论极限问题研究

信噪比是微光像增强器的重要参数之一,其值的高低决定着微光成像系统在低照度条件下的探测距离和图像清晰度。根据线性系统信噪比链理论, 借助系统噪声因子关系式,分析了微光像增强器的理论极限信噪比(S/N)_limit。在系统各级不附加任何噪声（即N_F=1）,或仅受输入光子及光电子数涨落噪声限制的理想条件下,给出像管不同量子效率（η）之最大信噪比(S/N)_limit的表达式;在η=1的极限情况下,求得该像管的理论极限信噪比(S/N)_limit≤64。     

Noise analysis of grating-based x-ray differential phase-contrast imaging with angular signal radiography

X-ray phase-contrast imaging is one of the novel techniques,and has potential to enhance image quality and provide the details of inner structures nondestructively.In this work,we investigate quantitatively signal-to-noise ratio(SNR) of grating-based x-ray phase contrast imaging(GBPCI) system by employing angular signal radiography(ASR).Moreover,photon statistics and mechanical error that is a major source of noise are investigated in detail.Results show the dependence of SNR on the system parameters and the effects on the extracted absorption,refraction and scattering images.Our conclusions can be used to optimize the system design for upcoming practical applications in the areas such as material science and biomedical imaging.     

A resolution measure for three-dimensional microscopy

A three-dimensional (3D) resolution measure for the conventional optical microscope is introduced which overcomes the drawbacks of the classical 3D (axial) resolution limit. Formulated within the context of a parameter estimation problem and based on the Cramer-Rao lower bound, this 3D resolution measure indicates the accuracy with which a given distance between two objects in 3D space can be determined from the acquired image. It predicts that, given enough photons from the objects of interest, arbitrarily small distances of separation can be estimated with prespecified accuracy. Using simulated images of point source pairs, we show that the maximum likelihood estimator is capable of attaining the accuracy predicted by the resolution measure. We also demonstrate how different factors, such as extraneous noise sources and the spatial orientation of the imaged object pair, can affect the accuracy with which a given distance of separation can be determined.