In principle, photon counting imaging can detect a photon. With the development of low-level-light image intensifier techniques and low-level-light detection devices, photon counting imaging can now detect photon images under extremely low illumination. Based on a Geiger mode silicon avalanche photodiode single photon counter, an experimental system for photon counting imaging was built through two-dimensional scanning of a SPAD (single photon avalanche diode) detector. The feasibility of the imaging platform was validated experimentally. Two images with different characteristics, namely, the USAF 1951 resolution test panel and the image of Lena, were chosen to evaluate the imaging performance of the experimental system. The results were compared and analysed. The imaging properties under various illumination and scanning steps were studied. The lowest illumination limit of the SPAD photon counting imaging was determined.
Photo counting imaging is a promising imaging method for very low-level-light condition and super high-speed imaging.An experimental setup with Geiger mode silicon avalanche photodiode single-photon counter was established in this study. This experimental setup achieved photon counting imaging through serial two-dimensional scanning mode of single APD. It extracts the extremely weak signal from the noise by scanning image, and then reconstructs the photon distribution image. The feasibility of the experiment platform was verified with many experiments. The resolution bar was scanned and imaged in different lighting condition. A Lena image was also scanned and imaged among several illumination conditions. The resolution ability and imaging quality are evaluated in different illumination surroundings.The imaging limited condition was concluded based on existing APD sensor. The experimental result indicates that the imaging based Geiger mode APD is an excellent candidate for very low level light imaging.
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