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At least 1,297 records · Page 72Linked to original sources

Estimating optical properties in layered tissues by use of the Born approximation of the radiative transport equation.

We use the Born approximation of the radiative transport equation to recover simultaneously the absorption and scattering coefficients in a single layer of a two-layer tissue sample from reflectance data. This method reduces the estimation of both optical properties to a single linear, least-squares problem. It is valid over length scales smaller than a transport mean free path and hence is useful for epithelial tissue layers. We demonstrate the accuracy of this method by using spatially resolved reflectance data computed with Monte Carlo simulations.

Algorithms↗

Simultaneous compensation for spatial and temporal dispersion of acousto-optical deflectors for two-dimensional scanning with a single prism.

The dispersive nature of the acousto-optical deflector (AOD) presents a challenge to applications of two sequential orthogonal AODs (a two-dimensional AOD) as XY scanners in multiphoton microscopy. Introducing a prism before the two-dimensional (2D) AOD allows both temporal and spatial dispersion to be compensated for simultaneously. A 90 fs laser pulse was broadened to 572 fs without compensation, and 143 fs with compensation. The ratio of long axis to short axis of the exiting laser beam spot was 3.50 without compensation and 1.14 with compensation. The insertion loss was 37%. Two-photon fluorescence microscopy used the compensated 2D AOD scanner to image a fluorescent microsphere, which improves signal intensity -15-fold compared with the uncompensated scanner.

Artifacts↗

Prism-based multicolor fluorescence correlation spectrometer.

We report the design and application of a prism-based detection system for fluorescence (cross) correlation spectroscopy. The system utilizes a single laser wavelength for the simultaneous excitation of several dyes of different emission spectra. Fluorescence light is spectrally separated with a prismatic setup, and wavelengths are selected by scanning a fiber-coupled avalanche photodiode across the image spots. Multicolor autocorrelations are demonstrated with standard and tandem dyes, and fluorescence cross-correlation measurements of biotinylated nanocontainers and streptavidin are presented. This spectrometer offers high optical stability and no focal volume mismatch for the multicolor detection of molecular dynamics and interactions, with single-molecule sensitivity.

Equipment Design↗

Liquid-core optical ring-resonator sensors.

We have demonstrated a novel sensor architecture based on a liquid-core optical ring-resonator (LCORR) in which a fused silica capillary is utilized to carry the aqueous sample and to act as the ring resonator. The wall thickness of the LCORR is controlled to a few micrometers to expose the whispering gallery mode to the aqueous core. Optical characterization with a water-ethanol mixture shows that the spectral sensitivity of the LCORR sensor is approximately 2.6 nm per refractive index unit. A model based on Mie theory is established to explain the experimental results. The LCORR takes advantage of the high sensitivity, small footprint, and low sample consumption with the ring resonator, as well as the efficient fluidic sample delivery with the capillary, and will open an avenue to future multiplexed sensor array development.

Equipment Design↗

Translational and rotational pupil tracking by use of wavefront aberration data and image registration techniques.

We present a methodology with which to evaluate translations and rotations of wavefront aberration measurements of systems in which the exit pupil suffers displacements and rotations with respect to the reference frame of the measuring device. We propose to use image registration techniques to account for rotations, translations, and scale changes of the pupil. We present a proof of principle, using an artificial eye in addition to computer simulations. The method is software based and requires no additional hardware.

Algorithms↗

Spectrally encoded slit confocal microscopy.

A simple and cost-effective method for real-time imaging in confocal microscopy is proposed. Spectrally encoded slit confocal microscopy (SESCoM) uses a spectral encoding technique together with a confocal slit aperture to achieve two-dimensional images. Simulation and experimental results of the SESCoM's axial and lateral performances are presented. The measured FWHM of the axial response is 1.15 mum when an objective with a NA of 0.95 is used. FWHMs of the lateral line spread functions are measured to be 236 and 244 nm along the x and y directions, respectively. Both the axial and the lateral experimental results agree well with the simulation results.

Equipment Design↗

Evanescent Bessel beam generation via surface plasmon resonance excitation by a radially polarized beam.

A simple setup for generating evanescent Bessel beams is proposed. When a radially polarized beam is strongly focused onto a dielectric-metal interface, the entire beam is p-polarized with respect to the dielectric-metal interface, enabling excitation of surface plasmons from all directions. The angular selectivity of surface plasmon excitation mimics the function of an axicon, leading to an evanescent nondiffracting Bessel beam. The created evanescent Bessel beam may be used as a virtual probe for near-field optical imaging and sensing applications.

Equipment Design↗

Sensitive high-resolution white-light Schlieren technique with a large dynamic range for the investigation of ablation dynamics.

We developed a modified Hoffman contrast technique with a 12 ns pulsed incoherent extended white-light source that enables an easily interpretable visualization of ablation plumes with high resolution, a large dynamic range, and color information. By comparison, a conventional dark-field setup with a slitlike laser light source provides large sensitivity but a small dynamic range, and it is difficult to interpret the filtered images.

Algorithms↗

Hard-x-ray region tomographic reconstruction of the refractive-index gradient vector field: imaging principles and comparisons with diffraction-enhanced-imaging-based computed tomography.

The unique tomographic imaging method based on refractive effects that was recently developed by Maksimenko et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 86, 124105 (2005)] exhibits an excellent imaging property in the hard-x-ray region for phase objects such as soft materials and biological samples. However, there seems to have been little consideration of the physical aspects of the underlying imaging principles. Also, as the method is similar to diffraction-enhanced-imaging (DEI)-based computed tomography (CT), the difference between these two methodologies has not been made clear. We theoretically consider the imaging principles starting from the measurement process to the reconstruction procedures from the viewpoint of geometrical optics and then clarify their difference in relationship to the physical quantities to be depicted. The major feature of this novel method is the in-plane two-dimensional vector-field reconstruction of the refractive-index gradient in an object, while DEI CT obtains the out-of-plane scalar-field gradient component. In other words, the novel method and DEI CT present the transverse and the longitudinal components, respectively, of the three-dimensional vector fields of the gradient refractive index. Therefore they can be considered complementary to each other.

Algorithms↗

Three-dimensional optic axis determination using variable-incidence-angle polarization-optical coherence tomography.

Polarization optical coherence tomography (PSOCT) is a powerful technique to nondestructively map the retardance and fast-axis orientation of birefringent biological tissues. Previous studies have concentrated on the case where the optic axis lies on the plane of the surface. We describe a method to determine the polar angle of the optic axis of a uniaxial birefringent tissue by making PSOCT measurements with a number of incident illumination directions. The method is validated on equine flexor tendon, yielding a variability of 4% for the true birefringence and 3% for the polar angle. We use the method to map the polar angle of fibers in the transitional region of equine cartilage.

Animals↗

Polymeric, electrically tunable diffraction grating based on artificial muscles.

We demonstrate a low-cost, electrically tunable diffraction grating that is driven by a dielectric elastomer actuator. The angular tuning range of the polymer-based device is up to 118 mrad for the first diffracted order. The achievable grating period change of 32% is an improvement by more than a factor of 150 compared with existing analog tunable diffraction gratings based on hard materials. We show that in combination with a white light source, the presented diffraction grating can be used as a wavelength-adjustable luminous source. Such an illuminant has a potential application in inexpensive color displays that could reproduce all perceivable colors.

Biomimetics↗

High-resolution beam steering using microlens arrays.

Imaging or beam-steering systems employing a periodic array of microlenses or micromirrors suffer from diffraction problems resulting from the destructive interference of the beam segments produced by the array. Simple formulas are derived for beam steering with segmented apertures that do not suffer from diffraction problems because of the introduction of a moving linear phase shifter such as a prescan lens before the periodic structure. The technique substantially increases the resolution of imaging systems that employ microlens arrays or micromirror arrays. Theoretical, numerical, and experimental results demonstrating the high-resolution imaging concept using microlens arrays are presented.

Equipment Design↗

Linear optical coherence tomography system with extended measurement range.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) sensors traditionally use scanning optical delay lines with moving parts and a single detector. OCT systems with a linear detector array (linear OCT or L-OCT) are simple and robust, but a detector with approximately 10,000 pixels is needed for an imaging depth of 2mm, which is necessary for most biomedical applications. We present a new optical setup for L-OCT with an increased measurement range. An additional grating performs a reduction of the spatial frequencies of the fringe pattern on the detector without loss in the signal-to-noise ratio, so the signal can be sampled with a minimal number of pixels. The theory for this approach is addressed and the first measurements are presented.

Computer Simulation↗

Efficient reflection grisms for pulse compression and dispersion compensation of femtosecond pulses.

Efficient reflection grisms for pulse-compression and material-dispersion compensation have been designed and demonstrated in a 40 fs, 300 microJ, 5 kHz downchirped pulse amplification system for the first time to our knowledge. A grism design for 800 nm femtosecond laser pulse dispersion compensation applications is realized by using standard, commercial diffraction gratings.

Equipment Design↗

Quantitative modeling of laser speckle imaging.

We have analyzed the image formation and dynamic properties in laser speckle imaging (LSI) both experimentally and with Monte Carlo simulation. We show for the case of a liquid inclusion that the spatial resolution and the signal itself are both significantly affected by scattering from the turbid environment. Multiple scattering leads to blurring of the dynamic inhomogeneity as detected by LSI. The presence of a nonfluctuating component of scattered light results in the significant increase in the measured image contrast and complicates the estimation of the relaxation time. We present a refined processing scheme that allows a correct estimation of the relaxation time from LSI data.

Computer Simulation↗

Polarization modulation imaging ellipsometer.

The polarization modulation technique was successfully combined with parallel synchronous detection using a switching light source and a CCD camera to realize full-frame measurement of ellipsometric parameters. The detected thickness of a monolayer film of n-octadecylsiloxane agreed well with theoretical and reported experimental values. The thickness resolution for imaging and the temporal noise in parallel thickness measurements were smaller than +/-0.1 nm and smaller than +/-0.02 nm, respectively.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

Fractal model of light scattering in biological tissue and cells.

The K-distribution, widely used for investigation of fractal scattering in the atmosphere and from surfaces, is applied as a model for light propagation in biological tissue and cells. This leads to simple expressions for the scattering function, anisotropy function, phase function, reduced scattering coefficient, and scattering power. Compared with an alternative previously published model [Opt. Lett.30, 3051 (2005)], the range of allowable power laws is extended into the subfractal regime.

Animals↗