Light scattering

Physics

Geology

Diffuser (optics)

Light source

Lidar

Optics

Confocal

Ranging

Diffuse optical imaging

Photon

Tomography

Scattering

Materials science

Optical tomography

Computer science

Computer vision

Remote sensing

Telecommunications

Nature Communications

Optical imaging techniques, such as light detection and ranging (LiDAR), are essential tools in remote sensing, robotic vision, and autonomous driving. However, the presence of scattering places fundamental limits on our ability to image through fog, rain, dust, or the atmosphere. Conventional approaches for imaging through scattering media operate at microscopic scales or require a priori knowledge of the target location for 3D imaging. We introduce a technique that co-designs single-photon avalanche diodes, ultra-fast pulsed lasers, and a new inverse method to capture 3D shape through scattering media. We demonstrate acquisition of shape and position for objects hidden behind a thick diffuser (≈6 transport mean free paths) at macroscopic scales. Our technique, confocal diffuse tomography, may be of considerable value to the aforementioned applications.

Three-dimensional imaging through scattering media based on confocal diffuse tomography