This new camera sees the invisible in 3D without lenses
> Lens-free system delivers clear mid-infrared images in low light and across long distances, opening possibilities for better night vision, industrial inspection and environmental monitoring.
> Date:
> September 26, 2025
> Source:
> Optica
> Summary:
> Scientists have developed a lens-free mid-infrared camera using a modern twist on pinhole imaging.
> The system uses nonlinear crystals to convert infrared light into visible,
> allowing standard sensors to capture sharp, wide-range images without distortion.
> It can also create precise 3D reconstructions even in extremely low light.
> Though still experimental, the technology promises affordable, portable infrared
> imaging for safety, industrial, and environmental uses.
>
> Link:
>formatting link> Cool!
> Paper:
>formatting link
> Still a huge setup, but who knows maybe it can be made smaller and simpler.
Interesting gadget, a sort of super-heterodyne receiver for light. The low-light sensitivity of a pinhole camera is of course dismal.
Jeroen Belleman