Real-time High-speed Three-dimensional Surface Imaging using CoaXPress-Interfaced Band-Limited Illumination Profilometry

High-speed three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging by structured-light profilometry is currently driven by industrial needs, medical applications, and entertainment. However, the limited speeds in fringe pattern projection, image acquisition, and data transmission have strained the existing methods from reaching kilohertz (kHz)-level acquisition, processing, and display of 3D information during the occurrence of dynamic events (i.e., in real time). To overcome these limitations, we have developed CoaXPress-interfaced band-limited illumination profilometry (CI-BLIP), which enables real-time 3D surface information reconstruction at 1 kHz. We have demonstrated the system’s performance by imaging various static and fast-moving 3D objects in real time. We have also applied this system in fluid mechanics by imaging dynamics of a flag, which allowed observation of the wave propagation, gravity-induced phase mismatch, and asymmetric flapping motion. We expect CI-BLIP to find diverse scientific and industrial applications.