Compact mid-infrared single-pixel methane imaging using a spinning mask

Methane, a critical fuel and industrial resource, poses significant risks to human life, property, and the environment when leaks occur during extraction, transportation, storage, or use. The ability to efficiently detect and image methane leakages is of paramount importance. This study presents what we believe to be a novel approach to methane detection based on mid-infrared single-pixel imaging, which exploits the methane’s characteristic absorption peak at 3.31 µm. The system utilizes a spinning calcium fluoride mask to modulate the light field and reconstruct the spatial distribution of methane using a rapid reconstruction algorithm. The experimental results demonstrate the capability to image methane distributions at a distance of five meters with a resolution of 64×64 pixels, enabling real-time monitoring of dynamic gas leaks. Unlike conventional methods, this technique leverages the high sensitivity and broad spectral response of single-pixel detectors, offering distinct advantages over less mature and more expensive mid-infrared focal plane array detectors. Owing to its strong potential for practical implementation, this method provides a promising solution for gas leak monitoring in industrial operations and environmental monitoring.