The many dimensions of imaging

July 1, 2005
Imaging-that is, the acquisition, processing, and presentation of images-spans an entire spectrum of technologies, starting with the detector or imager and ending up with .

Imaging-that is, the acquisition, processing, and presentation of images-spans an entire spectrum of technologies, starting with the detector or imager and ending up with . . . well that depends, of course, on the particular application and how the images will be used. Much recent development effort in the imaging arena has focused on security and trying to teach computers and software to “read” and respond to images that you and I also understand-­facial-recognition systems, for instance, look for faces in a crowd, license-plate imagers “read” (and record) the plate numbers of passing vehicles, while industrial vision systems watch manufacturing lines looking for anomalies in the finished product.

But there have also been developments in a ­different imaging technology. Instead of teaching machines to do what humans can do, specialized systems can interpret machine-readable coding that’s unintelligible to ­humans-and they can do it very efficiently. The “images” are developed with a specific task in mind, and because the only reader is a machine, these images-which started out in 1974 as simple linear barcodes and have subsequently evolved into two-dimensional hieroglyphics-can be very small. And in their most recent embodiment they can also be quite secure (see cover and p. 69).

Yet another aspect of imaging involves looking into, around, or through something opaque-all tasks impossible for an unaided human eye. Whether the application is security, quality assurance, or testing, “seeing inside” has become critical to our everyday lives. X-ray systems at airports and in hospitals are now ubiquitous, but equally sophisticated imagers are evolving based on terahertz technology that can nondestructively image inside microprocessors or the wings of a spacecraft, as well as show the distribution of active ingredient inside a pharmaceutical pill (see p. 109). These terahertz systems are currently very expensive, however-a frequent hurdle for new technologies, including another evolving imaging technique that’s expected to open (or see through?) new doors: real-time imaging ladar in three dimensions (see p. 89).

About the Author

Stephen G. Anderson | Director, Industry Development - SPIE

 Stephen Anderson is a photonics industry expert with an international background and has been actively involved with lasers and photonics for more than 30 years. As Director, Industry Development at SPIE – The international society for optics and photonics – he is responsible for tracking the photonics industry markets and technology to help define long-term strategy, while also facilitating development of SPIE’s industry activities. Before joining SPIE, Anderson was Associate Publisher and Editor in Chief of Laser Focus World and chaired the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar. Anderson also co-founded the BioOptics World brand. Anderson holds a chemistry degree from the University of York and an Executive MBA from Golden Gate University.    

Sponsored Recommendations

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) electrode manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
Learn how an industry-leading Brain Computer Interface Electrode (BCI) manufacturer used precision laser micromachining to produce high-density neural microelectrode arrays.

Electro-Optic Sensor and System Performance Verification with Motion Systems

Jan. 31, 2025
To learn how to use motion control equipment for electro-optic sensor testing, click here to read our whitepaper!

How nanopositioning helped achieve fusion ignition

Jan. 31, 2025
In December 2022, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved fusion ignition. Learn how Aerotech nanopositioning contributed to this...

Nanometer Scale Industrial Automation for Optical Device Manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
In optical device manufacturing, choosing automation technologies at the R&D level that are also suitable for production environments is critical to bringing new devices to market...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!