0
0
Researchers at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) have achieved a remarkable feat in imaging technology, unveiling a groundbreaking ultrafast camera system capable of capturing up to 156.3 trillion frames per second. Led by Professor Jinyang Liang, the team’s innovative device, named SCARF (Swept-coded Aperture Real-time Femtophotography), marks a significant leap forward in the field of high-speed imaging, offering unprecedented capabilities for observing ultrafast phenomena in real time. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, open new avenues of exploration across diverse scientific disciplines.
The SCARF system represents a quantum leap in ultrafast imaging technology, enabling researchers to capture transient absorption in semiconductors and ultrafast demagnetization of metal alloys with unparalleled precision. Unlike previous methods that relied on sequential frame capture, SCARF’s single-shot imaging capability allows for the observation of non-repeatable and ultrafast events in real time, revolutionizing our understanding of complex phenomena across various fields.
Professor Liang, a renowned pioneer in ultrafast imaging, explains the significance of SCARF: “Our new method overcomes the limitations of previous ultrafast camera systems, providing a powerful tool for studying phenomena that were previously inaccessible. SCARF enables us to observe unique events such as shock wave mechanics in living cells, opening new frontiers in biomedical research and beyond.”
The development of SCARF builds upon Professor Liang’s earlier breakthrough, the Trillion-frame-per-second compressed ultrafast photography (T-CUP) system, which laid the foundation for this groundbreaking technology. While T-CUP represented a significant advancement in ultrafast imaging, SCARF addresses remaining challenges by offering enhanced imaging modalities with improved data quality and spatial resolution.
Miguel Marquez, co-first author of the study, highlights the transformative capabilities of SCARF: “Our system achieves unparalleled imaging rates while preserving data integrity, making it ideal for studying ultrafast and non-repeatable phenomena. SCARF’s unique imaging modality promises far-reaching applications in fields ranging from biomedicine to materials science.”
Beyond its scientific implications, SCARF holds significant economic potential, with industry partners already collaborating to commercialize this cutting-edge technology. Companies such as Axis Photonique and Few-Cycle are working closely with Professor Liang’s team to bring SCARF to market, positioning Quebec as a global leader in photonics innovation.
The research, conducted in collaboration with international partners at the Institut Jean Lamour (France) and Huazhong University of Science and Technology (China), received generous funding from various Canadian and Quebecois research agencies, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving scientific advancement.
As SCARF continues to push the boundaries of ultrafast imaging, it promises to revolutionize our understanding of the world’s most elusive phenomena, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in science and technology.
