YouTuber AlphaPhoenix has constructed a high-speed camera that records light at two billion frames per second. The device surpasses his previous one-billion-frames-per-second model from 2024 through significant upgrades to its mechanical, optical, and software systems.
The camera operates using a small mirror mounted on a gimbal, which sweeps a laser beam across a highly sensitive sensor. With each sweep, the system records a single pixel of the scene. A complete image is then methodically assembled from these individual pixel recordings. This process simulates the functionality of a multi-sensor array but relies on a slower, highly precise single-point capture technique. The design utilizes accessible components to achieve its high-speed imaging capabilities.
To achieve the new record, several key components were enhanced. Standard hobby servos were replaced with high-resolution encoders and timing belts, providing more accurate control over the mirror’s movement. The project involved the following specific improvements:
- Motors: Upgraded to deliver higher precision for smoother and more exact operations.
- Optics: Strengthened to produce sharper images, a critical factor for capturing the movement of light.
- Software: Redesigned to efficiently process the massive volumes of data generated in real time.
When the camera is positioned behind the laser source, it captures a distinct optical effect. The outgoing laser beam appears to crawl slowly across the frame, while light reflecting back toward the source seems almost instantaneous. This phenomenon occurs because light reflecting off particles closer to the sensor is recorded sooner than light reflecting off particles that are farther away.
The observed effect is directly related to the camera’s placement. Moving the camera to the opposite side of the experimental setup completely reverses the visual outcome. In this configuration, light from the most distant points appears to arrive instantly, whereas light from nearby particles is perceived as taking a longer time to reach the sensor.
