Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science

Imaging Science is an Interdisciplinary field combining computer science, engineering, and physics to explore image creation, perception, and analysis.

The Carlson Center for Imaging Science is dedicated to producing the next generation of researchers and innovators to apply imaging science in research, environmental service, artificial intelligence, aerospace, and national security . From day one, our undergraduate students dive into hands-on experiences through our Freshman Imaging Project and have the opportunity to explore various imaging science research areas.

Additionally, Imaging Science is honored to be recognized as one of RIT's New Economy Majors – dynamic, interdisciplinary, and forward-thinking programs that guarantee favorable outcomes and adapt to the constantly evolving demands of the modern economy.

1st

Imaging science program in the U.S. and currently the only formal imaging science program in the nation

20%

of institute research funds flow through the Center

$5.16M

Research expenditures the Center had for fiscal year 2016-17

Latest News

  • May 20, 2024

    porus media is shown as rocks and red jelly like substance bubbles.

    RIT research examines spread and flow of soil contaminants

    Understanding how contaminants in porous materials flow and are transported is key in the fields of industry, medicine, and environmental science. A two person team in the School of Physics and Astronomy recently had their research on the topic published and featured on the cover of Soft Matter, a journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

  • April 24, 2024

    a colorful 3 D image of the southern ring nebula appears in a black sky.

    See the Southern Ring Nebula in 3D 

    Universe Today highlights the research led by Joel Kastner, professor in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, on the Southern Ring Nebula's dual-ring formation and the possible role of a second star.

Research

The Laboratory for Multiwavelength Astrophysics fosters the utilization and advancement of cutting-edge techniques in multiwavelength astrophysics by RIT faculty, research staff, and students, so as to improve human understanding of the origin and fate of the universe and its constituents.

Research Active Faculty:

Jeyhan Kartaltepe headshot
Associate Professor
School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science
Astrophysical Sciences and Technology Program Faculty
Director for the Laboratory for Multiwavelength Astrophysics
585-475-7514
Andrew Robinson headshot
Director Astrophysical Sciences and Tech PhD Program
School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science
585-475-2726

Faculty working on cultural heritage imaging develop novel imaging systems and algorithms to analyze historical artifacts around the world. Research is primarily focused on multi- and hyperspectral imaging, but also includes imaging modalities such as reflectance transformation imaging and X-ray fluorescence.  An active area of research is also the development of novel 3D visualization tools for scholars to interact with the digital artifacts after image collection and processing.

Research Active Faculty:

Research in this area focuses on the development of novel imaging systems, primarily for astronomical applications. Significant research has been conducted on the use of Digital Micro-mirror Devices in multi-object spectrometers for astronomical imaging systems. Additional work has focused on random apertures for extremely large space-based telescopes and vortex coronagraph imaging systems. Additional work in optical systems includes research into the use of ultrafast lasers for the development of novel photonic detectors and other surface polishing applications.

Research Active Faculty:

The Multidisciplinary Vision Research Laboratory combines expertise in eye tracking instrumentation, cognitive science knowledge of the human visual system, and computer vision to understand how the eye-brain system works, as well as how to leverage that knowledge into novel computer vision systems. The research is supported by the PerForM (Perception For Movement) Lab with both full motion capture and multiple AR/VR system capabilities. Additionally, active research into computer vision and deep learning approaches for applications from 3D scene understanding to active learning frameworks are ongoing.

Research Active Faculty:

RIT’s Center for Imaging Science is at the cutting edge of Machine Learning and Computer Vision research. Our faculty's work spans both theoretical and applied research, driving advancements in robust and trustworthy machine learning, continual and lifelong learning, data stream mining, concept drift adaptation, and bias mitigation. In applied Artificial Intelligence (AI), our focus includes remote sensing, medical imaging, UAVs, autonomous vehicles, cultural heritage preservation, and optics.

Research Active Faculty:

Carl Salvaggio headshot
Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Director of the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Laboratory
585-475-6380
Emmett Ientilucci headshot
Associate Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Gerald W. Harris Endowed Professorship
Graduate Admission Chair
585-475-7778
Jie Qiao headshot
Associate Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
585-475-5629
Jan van Aardt headshot
Director of Carlson Center for Imaging Science
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
585-475-4229

The center is the home to the Magnetic Resonance Laboratory devoted to solving real-world problems with magnetic resonance. The laboratory has several pieces of specialized magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging instrumentation on the RIT campus. Among these are a 500 MHz NMR spectrometer with micro-imaging accessory, a low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (LFEPR) spectrometer, an Overhauser magnetometer with a base station, a three-axis magnetometer, and a radio frequency imaging coil test bridge.

Research Active Faculty:

Joseph Hornak headshot
Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Director of Magnetic Resonance Laboratory
585-475-2904

There is active work within the center in nanoimaging through the use of electron microscopy. The NanoImaging Lab is home to four electron microscopes (2 SEMs & 2 TEMs) and focuses on two major research themes. First, using imaging science to improve the performance of electron microscopes computationally. This includes the point spread function determination, electron optics modeling, image restoration, and deconvolution research. Second, in this laboratory, we use the tools of imaging science to characterize materials at the micro-and nanoscale, using electron microscopy.

Research Active Faculty:

We conduct applied optics research in the use of optics from the smallest scales to the largest. This includes the Optical Vortex Laboratory and the Advanced Optical Fabrication, Instrumentation, and Metrology Laboratory (AOFIM Lab).

Research Active Faculty:

Jie Qiao headshot
Associate Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
585-475-5629

The Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Laboratory (DIRS) is world-renown for its expertise in remote sensing systems, algorithms, and applications. Their work encompasses novel system design and calibration for NASA Earth-observing satellites to the development of imaging systems to fly on small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for precision agriculture. Additionally, the DIRSIG software developed and maintained by the DIRS laboratory is the industry standard to simulate remotely sensed imagery and is used for both system engineering trade studies as well as a source of training data for deep learning algorithmic frameworks.

Research Active Faculty:

Charles Bachmann headshot
Wiedman Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Program Faculty - PhD Program in Physics
585-475-7238
Emmett Ientilucci headshot
Associate Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Gerald W. Harris Endowed Professorship
Graduate Admission Chair
585-475-7778
Carl Salvaggio headshot
Professor
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
Director of the Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Laboratory
585-475-6380
Jan van Aardt headshot
Director of Carlson Center for Imaging Science
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
585-475-4229

Research Faculty:

Robert Kremens headshot
Research Faculty
Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science
College of Science
585-475-7286

Featured Work

Featured Profiles

Undergraduate Programs

Many students choose the Bachelor of Science in imaging science because of its multidisciplinary nature. It is particularly attractive to students who enjoy science, engineering, computing, and math and are searching for careers that apply their unique interests. The program also applies science and engineering concepts to the study of photography and digital media, which have a long tradition at RIT.

Imaging science offers an ideal mix of disciplines while promising a well-rounded and highly marketable degree. Imaging scientists do research in optics, computer vision, machine learning, remote sensing, nano-imaging, biomedical imaging, and historical document imaging.

A unique and valuable part of the imaging science program is its Freshman Imaging Project.

RIT’s imaging science bs combines physics, math, computer science, and engineering to develop cutting-edge imaging systems for satellites, drones, AR/VR, and more.

Learn more about the Imaging Science BS program 

Graduate Programs

The Master of Science and Ph.D. imaging science programs emphasize a systems approach to the study of imaging science and prepares you for careers in research, product development, and management in the imaging industry. Through extensive, hands-on research, you will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to meet available academic, industrial, and governmental careers.

RIT’s master’s in imaging science can further your understanding of the development and implementation of imaging systems–knowledge that can be applied to a variety of areas, including remote sensing, environmental science, and more.

Learn more about the Imaging Science MS program 

Reach the pinnacle of status of higher education in imaging science acquiring the capabilities, skills, and experience to succeed in this diverse field.

Learn more about the Imaging Science Ph.D. program 

Minors and Immersions

Imaging science is a highly interdisciplinary field of study that incorporates elements from mathematics, engineering, computer science, and physics to understand, design, and utilize imagery and imaging systems to study scientific phenomena. The imaging science minor is designed to allow students from various departments across RIT to study how to use imaging to enhance their primary field of study or discover how to incorporate imaging science into their major discipline to solve complex, interdisciplinary problems in imaging, imagery exploitation, and the design and evaluation of imaging systems.

Learn more about the Imaging Science Minor program 

Optical science techniques are used in a variety of consumer products (digital cameras, CD players), communication technologies (optical fibers), medical imaging (infrared imaging), and the sciences (surveillance, remote sensing, astronomical systems). This minor can be an important complement to studies in electrical and microelectronic engineering, the biological sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, technical photography, and various majors in the field of applied science and technology.

Learn more about the Optical Science Minor program 

The science of film, photography, and imaging immersion explores the basic science behind technologies used in film, photography, and other imaging applications. Introductions to human visual perception, color science, imaging physics, and imaging system engineering set a groundwork for common theories underlying all major imaging industries. This immersion also provides necessary prerequisites for completion of a minor in imaging science. 

Learn more about the Science of Film, Photography, and Imaging Immersion program 

Upcoming Seminars

The Center for Imaging Science Seminar Series presents a wide range of speakers across diverse fields including, but not limited to, AI, remote sensing, AR/VR, machine learning, and environmental imaging.

View our upcoming seminars

Resources

Here you will find additional resources for the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, such as FAQs, program information, etc.

See Resources

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