A laser pointer at 2B FPS [video] (youtube.com)

Article summary

A video demonstrates a technique to capture a laser pointer at 2 billion frames per second by scanning a single pixel over an image and compositing the results. The method involves using a photomultiplier tube attached to a precise motion control rig and a high-speed oscilloscope. The resulting video is a composite of nearly a million discrete events, rather than a single event. The technique is made possible by the repeatability of the laser pulse, allowing for the capture of different phases of the pulse and assembly into a final composite.

Main themes

• High-speed imaging
• Laser technology
• Oscilloscope usage
• Video capture techniques
• Measurement limitations
• Photon detection

What commenters say

• The video's technique of capturing 2 billion pixels per second is a legitimate form of high-speed imaging, despite not capturing traditional video frames.
• The method used in the video is not truly capturing 2 billion frames per second, but rather compositing individual pixel captures to form a video.
• The definition of a video frame is flexible and can include single-pixel images, making the video's claim of 2 billion frames per second valid.
• The technique used in the video is not a way to measure the one-way speed of light, as it is still limited by the speed of light and the path of the signal.
• The use of a photomultiplier tube and precise motion control rig allows for the capture of high-speed phenomena, but is still subject to the limitations of measurement apparatus.
• The video's method is more akin to 'IRL raytracing' than traditional video capture, where a ray is cast and the result for a single pixel is captured and repeated millions of times.
• The concept of a single inertial frame is still a challenge, even with advanced measurement techniques, due to the dependence on the path of the signal and the limitations of measurement apparatus.