Real-time three-dimensional infrared imaging using fringe projection profilometry

Infrared thermography determines the surface temperature of an object or human body. It is a promising imaging technology for medical and biological observations due to its contactless and completely non- invasive properties. However, traditional two-dimensional （2D） infrared thermography cannot retain the spatial information, and thus provides only qualitative diagnosis information. A novel real-time three- dimensional （3D） infrared imaging system which takes full advantages of high-speed, high-quality, high- sensitivity, and low-cost in 3D thermograph is presented. We demonstrate the real-time 3D thermal imaging at the speed of 24 frmnes per second （fps）, with resolution of 640 ×480 points. Experimental results demonstrate quantitatively measurement of temperature distribution of 3D surfaces in real-time is realized with this system.