PE-RASP: range image stitching of photon-efficient imaging through reconstruction, alignment, stitching integration network based on intensity image priors

Single photon imaging integrates advanced single photon detection technology with Laser Radar (LiDAR) technology, offering heightened sensitivity and precise time measurement. This approach finds extensive applications in biological imaging, remote sensing, and non-visual field imaging. Nevertheless, current single photon LiDAR systems encounter challenges such as low spatial resolution and a limited field of view in their intensity and range images due to constraints in the imaging detector hardware. To overcome these challenges, this study introduces a novel deep learning image stitching algorithm tailored for single photon imaging. Leveraging the robust feature extraction capabilities of neural networks and the richer feature information present in intensity images, the algorithm stitches range images based on intensity image priors. This innovative approach significantly enhances the spatial resolution and imaging range of single photon LiDAR systems. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in generating high-quality stitched single-photon intensity images, and the range images exhibit comparable high quality when stitched with prior information from the intensity images.