ECE Seminar: Computational Imaging with Photon Streams

Speaker: Dr. Sotiris Nousias, Postdoctoral Fellow | Department of Computer Science | University of Toronto

Talk Title: Computational Imaging with Photon Streams

Abstract: Among the yearly iterations on smartphone cameras and advances in sensor design, a key question emerges: what does the future's ultimate camera look like? In this presentation, I will explore the advanced capabilities of single-photon cameras, which have evolved from specialized scientific tools to being integral components in consumer devices like the iPhone. These cameras are not just sensitive; they are exceptionally precise, capable of detecting individual photons and their arrival times to the trillionth of a second. Traditionally, research in this field has focused on simple methods like counting or creating histograms of photons. My work, however, focuses on the raw 'photon stream' output – a sequence of photon arrival times that offers a rich, yet underexplored, source of data. By developing innovative mathematical models and algorithms, I open up exciting new possibilities, such as capturing high-speed videos at standard (30 Hz) and extremely high frame rates (>200 GHz), unveiling hidden 3D structures using multiply scattered light, and achieving micrometer-scale 3D imaging. I will discuss the remarkable capabilities of single-photon cameras and their potential to revolutionize various fields.

Biography: Sotiris Nousias is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto, advised by Kyros Kutulakos. His research interests lie in the fields of computational imaging, computer vision, and signal processing, with a focus on single-photon imaging. His aim is to push the boundaries of imaging, developing novel systems and algorithms that can reveal the world in entirely new ways. He earned his PhD from University College London, advised by Christos Bergeles. His research has been recognized with best paper awards at two of the leading computer vision conferences: CVPR in 2019 and ICCV in 2023.

Host: Dr. Justin Haldar, jhaldar@usc.edu

Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Mayumi Thrasher