Design of MOEMS adjustable optical delay line to reduce link set-up time in a tera-bit/s optical interconnection network.

PubMed

Jing, Wencai; Zhang, Yimo; Zhou, Ge

2002-07-15

A new structure for bit synchronization in a tera-bit/s optical interconnection network has been designed using micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technique. Link multiplexing has been adopted to reduce data packet communication latency. To eliminate link set-up time, adjustable optical delay lines (AODLs) have been adopted to shift the phases of the distributed optical clock signals for bit synchronization. By changing the optical path distance of the optical clock signal, the phase of the clock signal can be shifted at a very high resolution. A phase-shift resolution of 0.1 ps can be easily achieved with 30-microm alternation of the optical path length in vacuum.

A novel high-resolution chaotic lidar with optical injection to chaotic laser diode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yun-cai; Wang, An-bang

2008-03-01

A novel chaotic lidar with high resolution is proposed and studied theoretically. In chaotic lidar system, the chaotic laser emitted from chaotic laser diode is split into two beams: the probe and the reference light. The ranging is achieved by correlating the reference waveform with the delayed probe waveform backscattered from the target. In chaotic lidar systems presented previously, the chaotic signal source is laser diode with optical feedback or with optical injection by another one. The ranging resolution is limited by the bandwidth of chaotic laser which determined by the configuration of chaotic signal source. We proposed a novel chaotic lidar which ranging resolution is enhanced significantly by external optical injected chaotic laser diode. With the bandwidth-enhanced chaotic laser, the range resolution of the chaotic lidar system with optical injection is roughly two times compared with that of without optical injection. The resolution increases with injection strength increasing in a certain frequency detuning range.

A long-time, high spatiotemporal resolution optical recording system for membrane potential activity via real-time writing to the hard disk.

PubMed

Hirota, Akihiko; Ito, Shin-ichi

2006-06-01

Using real-time hard disk recording, we have developed an optical system for the long-duration detection of changes in membrane potential from 1,020 sites with a high temporal resolution. The signal-to-noise ratio was sufficient for analyzing the spreading pattern of excitatory waves in frog atria in a single sweep.

A streak camera based fiber optic pulsed polarimetry technique for magnetic sensing to sub-mm resolution.

PubMed

Smith, R J; Weber, T E

2016-11-01

The technique of fiber optic pulsed polarimetry, which provides a distributed (local) measurement of the magnetic field along an optical fiber, has been improved to the point where, for the first time, photocathode based optical detection of backscatter is possible with sub-mm spatial resolutions. This has been realized through the writing of an array of deterministic fiber Bragg gratings along the fiber, a so-called backscatter-tailored optical fiber, producing a 34 000-fold increase in backscatter levels over Rayleigh. With such high backscatter levels, high repetition rate lasers are now sufficiently bright to allow near continuous field sensing in both space and time with field resolutions as low as 0.005 T and as high as 170 T over a ∼mm interval given available fiber materials.

Coincidence velocity map imaging using Tpx3Cam, a time stamping optical camera with 1.5 ns timing resolution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhao, Arthur; van Beuzekom, Martin; Bouwens, Bram

Here, we demonstrate a coincidence velocity map imaging apparatus equipped with a novel time-stamping fast optical camera, Tpx3Cam, whose high sensitivity and nanosecond timing resolution allow for simultaneous position and time-of-flight detection. This single detector design is simple, flexible, and capable of highly differential measurements. We show detailed characterization of the camera and its application in strong field ionization experiments.

Coincidence velocity map imaging using Tpx3Cam, a time stamping optical camera with 1.5 ns timing resolution

DOE PAGES

Zhao, Arthur; van Beuzekom, Martin; Bouwens, Bram; ...

2017-11-07

Here, we demonstrate a coincidence velocity map imaging apparatus equipped with a novel time-stamping fast optical camera, Tpx3Cam, whose high sensitivity and nanosecond timing resolution allow for simultaneous position and time-of-flight detection. This single detector design is simple, flexible, and capable of highly differential measurements. We show detailed characterization of the camera and its application in strong field ionization experiments.

Grating-assisted polarization optical time-domain reflectometry for distributed fiber-optic sensing.

PubMed

Han, Ming; Wang, Yunjing; Wang, Anbo

2007-07-15

We report a novel type of polarization optical time-domain reflectometry (POTDR) for fully distributed fiber-optic sensing, in which the reflected optical signal is from a series of fiber Bragg gratings that are uniformly distributed along the fiber. Compared with a conventional POTDR that uses the Rayleigh backscattering, this grating-assisted POTDR can have a much better signal-to-noise ratio and consequently a better measurement resolution and a larger measurement range of the fiber birefringence. Experimental results have shown that the measurement resolution of the grating-assisted POTDR is almost an order of magnitude better than that of a conventional POTDR.

A pulse-front-tilt–compensated streaked optical spectrometer with high throughput and picosecond time resolution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Katz, J., E-mail: jkat@lle.rochester.edu; Boni, R.; Rivlis, R.

A high-throughput, broadband optical spectrometer coupled to the Rochester optical streak system equipped with a Photonis P820 streak tube was designed to record time-resolved spectra with 1-ps time resolution. Spectral resolution of 0.8 nm is achieved over a wavelength coverage range of 480 to 580 nm, using a 300-groove/mm diffraction grating in conjunction with a pair of 225-mm-focal-length doublets operating at an f/2.9 aperture. Overall pulse-front tilt across the beam diameter generated by the diffraction grating is reduced by preferentially delaying discrete segments of the collimated input beam using a 34-element reflective echelon optic. The introduced delay temporally aligns themore » beam segments and the net pulse-front tilt is limited to the accumulation across an individual sub-element. The resulting spectrometer design balances resolving power and pulse-front tilt while maintaining high throughput.« less

Research on a solid state-streak camera based on an electro-optic crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Chen; Liu, Baiyu; Bai, Yonglin; Bai, Xiaohong; Tian, Jinshou; Yang, Wenzheng; Xian, Ouyang

2006-06-01

With excellent temporal resolution ranging from nanosecond to sub-picoseconds, a streak camera is widely utilized in measuring ultrafast light phenomena, such as detecting synchrotron radiation, examining inertial confinement fusion target, and making measurements of laser-induced discharge. In combination with appropriate optics or spectroscope, the streak camera delivers intensity vs. position (or wavelength) information on the ultrafast process. The current streak camera is based on a sweep electric pulse and an image converting tube with a wavelength-sensitive photocathode ranging from the x-ray to near infrared region. This kind of streak camera is comparatively costly and complex. This paper describes the design and performance of a new-style streak camera based on an electro-optic crystal with large electro-optic coefficient. Crystal streak camera accomplishes the goal of time resolution by direct photon beam deflection using the electro-optic effect which can replace the current streak camera from the visible to near infrared region. After computer-aided simulation, we design a crystal streak camera which has the potential of time resolution between 1ns and 10ns.Some further improvements in sweep electric circuits, a crystal with a larger electro-optic coefficient, for example LN (γ 33=33.6×10 -12m/v) and the optimal optic system may lead to better time resolution less than 1ns.

Analytical Calculation of the Lower Bound on Timing Resolution for PET Scintillation Detectors Comprising High-Aspect-Ratio Crystal Elements

PubMed Central

Cates, Joshua W.; Vinke, Ruud; Levin, Craig S.

2015-01-01

Excellent timing resolution is required to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain available from the incorporation of time-of-flight (ToF) information in image reconstruction for positron emission tomography (PET). As the detector’s timing resolution improves, so does SNR, reconstructed image quality, and accuracy. This directly impacts the challenging detection and quantification tasks in the clinic. The recognition of these benefits has spurred efforts within the molecular imaging community to determine to what extent the timing resolution of scintillation detectors can be improved and develop near-term solutions for advancing ToF-PET. Presented in this work, is a method for calculating the Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) on timing resolution for scintillation detectors with long crystal elements, where the influence of the variation in optical path length of scintillation light on achievable timing resolution is non-negligible. The presented formalism incorporates an accurate, analytical probability density function (PDF) of optical transit time within the crystal to obtain a purely mathematical expression of the CRLB with high-aspect-ratio (HAR) scintillation detectors. This approach enables the statistical limit on timing resolution performance to be analytically expressed for clinically-relevant PET scintillation detectors without requiring Monte Carlo simulation-generated photon transport time distributions. The analytically calculated optical transport PDF was compared with detailed light transport simulations, and excellent agreement was found between the two. The coincidence timing resolution (CTR) between two 3×3×20 mm3 LYSO:Ce crystals coupled to analogue SiPMs was experimentally measured to be 162±1 ps FWHM, approaching the analytically calculated lower bound within 6.5%. PMID:26083559

Analytical calculation of the lower bound on timing resolution for PET scintillation detectors comprising high-aspect-ratio crystal elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cates, Joshua W.; Vinke, Ruud; Levin, Craig S.

2015-07-01

Excellent timing resolution is required to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain available from the incorporation of time-of-flight (ToF) information in image reconstruction for positron emission tomography (PET). As the detector’s timing resolution improves, so does SNR, reconstructed image quality, and accuracy. This directly impacts the challenging detection and quantification tasks in the clinic. The recognition of these benefits has spurred efforts within the molecular imaging community to determine to what extent the timing resolution of scintillation detectors can be improved and develop near-term solutions for advancing ToF-PET. Presented in this work, is a method for calculating the Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) on timing resolution for scintillation detectors with long crystal elements, where the influence of the variation in optical path length of scintillation light on achievable timing resolution is non-negligible. The presented formalism incorporates an accurate, analytical probability density function (PDF) of optical transit time within the crystal to obtain a purely mathematical expression of the CRLB with high-aspect-ratio (HAR) scintillation detectors. This approach enables the statistical limit on timing resolution performance to be analytically expressed for clinically-relevant PET scintillation detectors without requiring Monte Carlo simulation-generated photon transport time distributions. The analytically calculated optical transport PDF was compared with detailed light transport simulations, and excellent agreement was found between the two. The coincidence timing resolution (CTR) between two 3× 3× 20 mm3 LYSO:Ce crystals coupled to analogue SiPMs was experimentally measured to be 162+/- 1 ps FWHM, approaching the analytically calculated lower bound within 6.5%.

Reference-free, high-resolution measurement method of timing jitter spectra of optical frequency combs

PubMed Central

Kwon, Dohyeon; Jeon, Chan-Gi; Shin, Junho; Heo, Myoung-Sun; Park, Sang Eon; Song, Youjian; Kim, Jungwon

2017-01-01

Timing jitter is one of the most important properties of femtosecond mode-locked lasers and optical frequency combs. Accurate measurement of timing jitter power spectral density (PSD) is a critical prerequisite for optimizing overall noise performance and further advancing comb applications both in the time and frequency domains. Commonly used jitter measurement methods require a reference mode-locked laser with timing jitter similar to or lower than that of the laser-under-test, which is a demanding requirement for many laser laboratories, and/or have limited measurement resolution. Here we show a high-resolution and reference-source-free measurement method of timing jitter spectra of optical frequency combs using an optical fibre delay line and optical carrier interference. The demonstrated method works well for both mode-locked oscillators and supercontinua, with 2 × 10−9 fs2/Hz (equivalent to −174 dBc/Hz at 10-GHz carrier frequency) measurement noise floor. The demonstrated method can serve as a simple and powerful characterization tool for timing jitter PSDs of various comb sources including mode-locked oscillators, supercontinua and recently emerging Kerr-frequency combs; the jitter measurement results enabled by our method will provide new insights for understanding and optimizing timing noise in such comb sources. PMID:28102352

High signal-to-noise-ratio electro-optical terahertz imaging system based on an optical demodulating detector array.

PubMed

Spickermann, Gunnar; Friederich, Fabian; Roskos, Hartmut G; Bolívar, Peter Haring

2009-11-01

We present a 64x48 pixel 2D electro-optical terahertz (THz) imaging system using a photonic mixing device time-of-flight camera as an optical demodulating detector array. The combination of electro-optic detection with a time-of-flight camera increases sensitivity drastically, enabling the use of a nonamplified laser source for high-resolution real-time THz electro-optic imaging.

A Miniature Fiber-Optic Sensor for High-Resolution and High-Speed Temperature Sensing in Ocean Environment

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-11-05

the SMF is superior when it comes to remote sensing in far and deep ocean. As an initial test , the real-time temperature structure within the water...4 ℃. The high resolution guarantees the visualization of subtle variation in the local water. To test the response time of the proposed sensor, the... Honey , "Optical trubulence in the sea," in Underwater Photo-optical Instrumentation Applications SPIE, 49-55 (1972). [6] J. D. Nash, D. R. Caldwell, M

Distributed fiber strain and vibration sensor based on Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometry and polarization optical time-domain reflectometry.

PubMed

Wang, Feng; Zhang, Xuping; Wang, Xiangchuan; Chen, Haisheng

2013-07-15

A distributed fiber strain and vibration sensor which effectively combines Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometry and polarization optical time-domain reflectometry is proposed. Two reference beams with orthogonal polarization states are, respectively, used to perform the measurement. By using the signal obtained from either reference beam, the vibration of fiber can be measured from the polarization effect. After combining the signals obtained by both reference beams, the strain can be measured from the Brillouin effect. In the experiment, 10 m spatial resolution, 0.6 kHz frequency measurement range, 2.5 Hz frequency resolution, and 0.2 MHz uncertainty of Brillouin frequency measurement are realized for a 4 km sensing distance.

An Optical Lever For The Metrology Of Grazing Incidence Optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeCew, Alan E.; Wagner, Robert W.

1986-11-01

Research Optics & Development, Inc. is using a slope tracing profilometer to measure the figure of optical surfaces which cannot be measured conveniently by interferometric means. As a metrological tool, the technique has its greatest advantage as an in-process easurement system. An optician can easily convert from polishing to measurement in less than a minute of time. This rapid feedback allows figure correction with minimal wasted effort and setup time. The present configuration of the slope scanner provides resolutions to 1 micro-radian. By implementing minor modifications, the resolution could be improved by an order of magnitude.

Adaptive optics with pupil tracking for high resolution retinal imaging

PubMed Central

Sahin, Betul; Lamory, Barbara; Levecq, Xavier; Harms, Fabrice; Dainty, Chris

2012-01-01

Adaptive optics, when integrated into retinal imaging systems, compensates for rapidly changing ocular aberrations in real time and results in improved high resolution images that reveal the photoreceptor mosaic. Imaging the retina at high resolution has numerous potential medical applications, and yet for the development of commercial products that can be used in the clinic, the complexity and high cost of the present research systems have to be addressed. We present a new method to control the deformable mirror in real time based on pupil tracking measurements which uses the default camera for the alignment of the eye in the retinal imaging system and requires no extra cost or hardware. We also present the first experiments done with a compact adaptive optics flood illumination fundus camera where it was possible to compensate for the higher order aberrations of a moving model eye and in vivo in real time based on pupil tracking measurements, without the real time contribution of a wavefront sensor. As an outcome of this research, we showed that pupil tracking can be effectively used as a low cost and practical adaptive optics tool for high resolution retinal imaging because eye movements constitute an important part of the ocular wavefront dynamics. PMID:22312577

Adaptive optics with pupil tracking for high resolution retinal imaging.

PubMed

Sahin, Betul; Lamory, Barbara; Levecq, Xavier; Harms, Fabrice; Dainty, Chris

2012-02-01

Adaptive optics, when integrated into retinal imaging systems, compensates for rapidly changing ocular aberrations in real time and results in improved high resolution images that reveal the photoreceptor mosaic. Imaging the retina at high resolution has numerous potential medical applications, and yet for the development of commercial products that can be used in the clinic, the complexity and high cost of the present research systems have to be addressed. We present a new method to control the deformable mirror in real time based on pupil tracking measurements which uses the default camera for the alignment of the eye in the retinal imaging system and requires no extra cost or hardware. We also present the first experiments done with a compact adaptive optics flood illumination fundus camera where it was possible to compensate for the higher order aberrations of a moving model eye and in vivo in real time based on pupil tracking measurements, without the real time contribution of a wavefront sensor. As an outcome of this research, we showed that pupil tracking can be effectively used as a low cost and practical adaptive optics tool for high resolution retinal imaging because eye movements constitute an important part of the ocular wavefront dynamics.

Real-Time Nanoscopy by Using Blinking Enhanced Quantum Dots

PubMed Central

Watanabe, Tomonobu M.; Fukui, Shingo; Jin, Takashi; Fujii, Fumihiko; Yanagida, Toshio

2010-01-01

Superresolution optical microscopy (nanoscopy) is of current interest in many biological fields. Superresolution optical fluctuation imaging, which utilizes higher-order cumulant of fluorescence temporal fluctuations, is an excellent method for nanoscopy, as it requires neither complicated optics nor illuminations. However, it does need an impractical number of images for real-time observation. Here, we achieved real-time nanoscopy by modifying superresolution optical fluctuation imaging and enhancing the fluctuation of quantum dots. Our developed quantum dots have higher blinking than commercially available ones. The fluctuation of the blinking improved the resolution when using a variance calculation for each pixel instead of a cumulant calculation. This enabled us to obtain microscopic images with 90-nm and 80-ms spatial-temporal resolution by using a conventional fluorescence microscope without any optics or devices. PMID:20923631

Improving the axial resolution in time-reversed ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) optical focusing with dual ultrasonic waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Qiang; Xu, Xiao; Lai, Puxiang; Sang, Xinzhu; Wang, Lihong V.

2014-03-01

Focusing light inside highly scattering media beyond the ballistic regime is a challenging task in biomedical optical imaging, manipulation, and therapy. This challenge can be overcome by time reversing ultrasonically encoded (TRUE) diffuse light to the ultrasonic focus inside a turbid medium. In TRUE optical focusing, a photorefractive crystal or polymer is used as the phase conjugate mirror for optical time reversal. Accordingly, a relatively long ultrasound burst, whose duration matches the response time of the photorefractive material, is used to encode the diffuse light. With this long ultrasound burst, the resolution of the TRUE focus along the acoustic axis is poor. In this work, we used two transducers, emitting two intersecting ultrasound beams at 3.4 MHz and 3.6 MHz respectively, to modulate the diffuse light within their intersection volume at the beat frequency. We show that light encoded at the beat frequency can be time-reversed and converge to the intersection volume. Experimentally, TRUE focusing with an acoustic axial resolution of ~1.1 mm was demonstrated inside turbid media, agreeing with the theoretical estimation.

Gain-guided soliton fiber laser with high-quality rectangle spectrum for ultrafast time-stretch microscopy.

PubMed

Hu, Song; Yao, Jian; Liu, Meng; Luo, Ai-Ping; Luo, Zhi-Chao; Xu, Wen-Cheng

2016-05-16

The ultrafast time-stretch microscopy has been proposed to enhance the temporal resolution of a microscopy system. The optical source is a key component for ultrafast time-stretch microscopy system. Herein, we reported on the gain-guided soliton fiber laser with high-quality rectangle spectrum for ultrafast time-stretch microscopy. By virtue of the excellent characteristics of the gain-guided soliton, the output power and the 3-dB bandwidth of the stable mode-locked soliton could be up to 3 mW and 33.7 nm with a high-quality rectangle shape, respectively. With the proposed robust optical source, the ultrafast time-stretch microscopy with the 49.6 μm resolution and a scan rate of 11 MHz was achieved without the external optical amplification. The obtained results demonstrated that the gain-guided soliton fiber laser could be used as an alternative high-quality optical source for ultrafast time-stretch microscopy and will introduce some applications in fields such as biology, chemical, and optical sensing.

All-fibre optical gating system for measuring a complex-shaped periodic broadband signal with picosecond resolution in a nanosecond time window

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrianov, A. V.

2018-04-01

We have developed an optical gating system for continuously monitoring a complex-shaped periodic optical signal with picosecond resolution in a nanosecond time window using an all-fibre optical gate in the form of a nonlinear loop mirror and a passively mode-locked femtosecond laser. The distinctive features of the system are the possibility of characterizing signals with a very large spectral bandwidth, the possibility of using a gating pulse source with a wavelength falling in the band of the signal under study and its all-fibre design with the use of standard fibres and telecom components.

Microsecond resolved single-molecule FRET time series measurements based on the line confocal optical system combined with hybrid photodetectors.

PubMed

Oikawa, Hiroyuki; Takahashi, Takumi; Kamonprasertsuk, Supawich; Takahashi, Satoshi

2018-01-31

Single-molecule (sm) fluorescence time series measurements based on the line confocal optical system are a powerful strategy for the investigation of the structure, dynamics, and heterogeneity of biological macromolecules. This method enables the detection of more than several thousands of fluorescence photons per millisecond from single fluorophores, implying that the potential time resolution for measurements of the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency is 10 μs. However, the necessity of using imaging photodetectors in the method limits the time resolution in the FRET efficiency measurements to approximately 100 μs. In this investigation, a new photodetector called a hybrid photodetector (HPD) was incorporated into the line confocal system to improve the time resolution without sacrificing the length of the time series detection. Among several settings examined, the system based on a slit width of 10 μm and a high-speed counting device made the best of the features of the line confocal optical system and the HPD. This method achieved a time resolution of 10 μs and an observation time of approximately 5 ms in the sm-FRET time series measurements. The developed device was used for the native state of the B domain of protein A.

Theoretical modeling and evaluation of the axial resolution of the adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope.

PubMed

Venkateswaran, Krishnakumar; Roorda, Austin; Romero-Borja, Fernando

2004-01-01

We present axial resolution calculated using a mathematical model of the adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO). The peak intensity and the width of the axial intensity response are computed with the residual Zernike coefficients after the aberrations are corrected using adaptive optics for eight subjects and compared with the axial resolution of a diffraction-limited eye. The AOSLO currently uses a confocal pinhole that is 80 microm, or 3.48 times the width of the Airy disk radius of the collection optics, and projects to 7.41 microm on the retina. For this pinhole, the axial resolution of a diffraction-limited system is 114 microm and the computed axial resolution varies between 120 and 146 microm for the human subjects included in this study. The results of this analysis indicate that to improve axial resolution, it is best to reduce the pinhole size. The resulting reduction in detected light may demand, however, a more sophisticated adaptive optics system. The study also shows that imaging systems with large pinholes are relatively insensitive to misalignment in the lateral positioning of the confocal pinhole. However, when small pinholes are used to maximize resolution, alignment becomes critical. ( c) 2004 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.

Adding the third dimension on adaptive optics retina imager thanks to full-field optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blavier, Marie; Blanco, Leonardo; Glanc, Marie; Pouplard, Florence; Tick, Sarah; Maksimovic, Ivan; Mugnier, Laurent; Chènegros, Guillaume; Rousset, Gérard; Lacombe, François; Pâques, Michel; Le Gargasson, Jean-François; Sahel, José-Alain

2009-02-01

Retinal pathologies, like ARMD or glaucoma, need to be early detected, requiring imaging instruments with resolution at a cellular scale. However, in vivo retinal cells studies and early diagnoses are severely limited by the lack of resolution on eye-fundus images from classical ophthalmologic instruments. We built a 2D retina imager using Adaptive Optics to improve lateral resolution. This imager is currently used in clinical environment. We are currently developing a time domain full-field optical coherence tomograph. The first step was to conceive the images reconstruction algorithms and validation was realized on non-biological samples. Ex vivo retina are currently being imaged. The final step will consist in coupling both setups to acquire high resolution retina cross-sections.

A targeted illumination optical fiber probe for high resolution fluorescence imaging and optical switching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shinde, Anant; Perinchery, Sandeep Menon; Murukeshan, Vadakke Matham

2017-04-01

An optical imaging probe with targeted multispectral and spatiotemporal illumination features has applications in many diagnostic biomedical studies. However, these systems are mostly adapted in conventional microscopes, limiting their use for in vitro applications. We present a variable resolution imaging probe using a digital micromirror device (DMD) with an achievable maximum lateral resolution of 2.7 μm and an axial resolution of 5.5 μm, along with precise shape selective targeted illumination ability. We have demonstrated switching of different wavelengths to image multiple regions in the field of view. Moreover, the targeted illumination feature allows enhanced image contrast by time averaged imaging of selected regions with different optical exposure. The region specific multidirectional scanning feature of this probe has facilitated high speed targeted confocal imaging.

Overlapped Fourier coding for optical aberration removal

PubMed Central

Horstmeyer, Roarke; Ou, Xiaoze; Chung, Jaebum; Zheng, Guoan; Yang, Changhuei

2014-01-01

We present an imaging procedure that simultaneously optimizes a camera’s resolution and retrieves a sample’s phase over a sequence of snapshots. The technique, termed overlapped Fourier coding (OFC), first digitally pans a small aperture across a camera’s pupil plane with a spatial light modulator. At each aperture location, a unique image is acquired. The OFC algorithm then fuses these low-resolution images into a full-resolution estimate of the complex optical field incident upon the detector. Simultaneously, the algorithm utilizes redundancies within the acquired dataset to computationally estimate and remove unknown optical aberrations and system misalignments via simulated annealing. The result is an imaging system that can computationally overcome its optical imperfections to offer enhanced resolution, at the expense of taking multiple snapshots over time. PMID:25321982

Adaptive optics stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (AO-STORM) by particle swarm optimization

PubMed Central

Tehrani, Kayvan F.; Zhang, Yiwen; Shen, Ping; Kner, Peter

2017-01-01

Stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) can achieve resolutions of better than 20nm imaging single fluorescently labeled cells. However, when optical aberrations induced by larger biological samples degrade the point spread function (PSF), the localization accuracy and number of localizations are both reduced, destroying the resolution of STORM. Adaptive optics (AO) can be used to correct the wavefront, restoring the high resolution of STORM. A challenge for AO-STORM microscopy is the development of robust optimization algorithms which can efficiently correct the wavefront from stochastic raw STORM images. Here we present the implementation of a particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach with a Fourier metric for real-time correction of wavefront aberrations during STORM acquisition. We apply our approach to imaging boutons 100 μm deep inside the central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila melanogaster larvae achieving a resolution of 146 nm. PMID:29188105

Adaptive optics stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (AO-STORM) by particle swarm optimization.

PubMed

Tehrani, Kayvan F; Zhang, Yiwen; Shen, Ping; Kner, Peter

2017-11-01

Stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) can achieve resolutions of better than 20nm imaging single fluorescently labeled cells. However, when optical aberrations induced by larger biological samples degrade the point spread function (PSF), the localization accuracy and number of localizations are both reduced, destroying the resolution of STORM. Adaptive optics (AO) can be used to correct the wavefront, restoring the high resolution of STORM. A challenge for AO-STORM microscopy is the development of robust optimization algorithms which can efficiently correct the wavefront from stochastic raw STORM images. Here we present the implementation of a particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach with a Fourier metric for real-time correction of wavefront aberrations during STORM acquisition. We apply our approach to imaging boutons 100 μm deep inside the central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila melanogaster larvae achieving a resolution of 146 nm.

On the dynamic readout characteristic of nonlinear super-resolution optical storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Jingsong

2013-03-01

Researchers have developed nonlinear super-resolution optical storage for the past twenty years. However, several concerns remain, including (1) the presence of readout threshold power; (2) the increase of threshold power with the reduction of the mark size, and (3) the increase of the carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) at the initial stage and then decrease with the increase of readout laser power or laser irradiation time. The present work calculates and analyzes the super-resolution spot formed by the thin film masks and the readout threshold power characteristic according to the derived formula and based on the nonlinear saturable absorption characteristic and threshold of structural change. The obtained theoretical calculation and experimental data answer the concerns regarding the dynamic readout threshold characteristic and CNR dependence on laser power and irradiation time. The near-field optical spot scanning experiment further verifies the super-resolution spot formation produced through the nonlinear thin film masks.

Single-shot measurement of phase and amplitude by using a heterodyne time-lens system and ultrafast digital time-holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tikan, Alexey; Bielawski, Serge; Szwaj, Christophe; Randoux, Stéphane; Suret, Pierre

2018-04-01

Temporal imaging systems are outstanding tools for single-shot observation of optical signals that have irregular and ultrafast dynamics. They allow long time windows to be recorded with femtosecond resolution, and do not rely on complex algorithms. However, simultaneous recording of amplitude and phase remains an open challenge for these systems. Here, we present a new heterodyne time-lens arrangement that efficiently records both the amplitude and phase of complex and random signals over large temporal windows (tens of picoseconds). Phase and time are encoded onto the two spatial dimensions of a camera. We implement this phase-sensitive time-lens system in two configurations: a time microscope and a digital temporal-holography device that enables single-shot measurement with a temporal resolution of 80 fs. We demonstrate direct application of our heterodyne time-lens to turbulent-like optical fields and optical rogue waves generated from nonlinear propagation of partially coherent waves inside optical fibres.

Visible light optical coherence microscopy imaging of the mouse cortex with femtoliter volume resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Merkle, Conrad W.; Chong, Shau Poh; Kho, Aaron M.; Zhu, Jun; Kholiqov, Oybek; Dubra, Alfredo; Srinivasan, Vivek J.

2018-02-01

Most flying-spot Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) systems use a symmetric confocal geometry, where the detection path retraces the illumination path starting from and ending with the spatial mode of a single mode optical fiber. Here, we describe a visible light OCM instrument that breaks this symmetry to improve transverse resolution without sacrificing collection efficiency in scattering tissue. This was achieved by overfilling a 0.3 numerical aperture (NA) water immersion objective on the illumination path, while maintaining a conventional Gaussian mode detection path (1/e2 intensity diameter 0.82 Airy disks), enabling 1.1 μm full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) transverse resolution. At the same time, a 0.9 μm FWHM axial resolution in tissue, achieved by a broadband visible light source, enabled femtoliter volume resolution. We characterized this instrument according to paraxial coherent microscopy theory, and then used it to image the meningeal layers, intravascular red blood cell-free layer, and myelinated axons in the mouse neocortex in vivo through the thinned skull. Finally, by introducing a 0.8 NA water immersion objective, we improved the lateral resolution to 0.44 μm FWHM, which provided a volumetric resolution of 0.2 fL, revealing cell bodies in cortical layer I of the mouse brain with OCM for the first time.

A near-infrared SETI experiment: A multi-time resolution data analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tallis, Melisa; Maire, Jerome; Wright, Shelley; Drake, Frank D.; Duenas, Andres; Marcy, Geoffrey W.; Stone, Remington P. S.; Treffers, Richard R.; Werthimer, Dan; NIROSETI

2016-06-01

We present new post-processing routines which are used to detect very fast optical and near-infrared pulsed signals using the latest NIROSETI (Near-Infrared Optical Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) instrument. NIROSETI was commissioned in 2015 at Lick Observatory and searches for near-infrared (0.95 to 1.65μ) nanosecond pulsed laser signals transmitted by distant civilizations. Traditional optical SETI searches rely on analysis of coincidences that occur between multiple detectors at a fixed time resolution. We present a multi-time resolution data analysis that extends our search from the 1ns to 1ms range. This new feature greatly improves the versatility of the instrument and its search parameters for near-infrared SETI. We aim to use these algorithms to assist us in our search for signals that have varying duty cycles and pulse widths. We tested the fidelity and robustness of our algorithms using both synthetic embedded pulsed signals, as well as data from a near-infrared pulsed laser installed on the instrument. Applications of NIROSETI are widespread in time domain astrophysics, especially for high time resolution transients, and astronomical objects that emit short-duration high-energy pulses such as pulsars.

Real-time, ultrahigh-resolution, optical coherence tomography with an all-fiber, femtosecond fiber laser continuum at 1.5 microm.

PubMed

Nishizawa, N; Chen, Y; Hsiung, P; Ippen, E P; Fujimoto, J G

2004-12-15

Real-time, ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) is demonstrated in the 1.4-1.7-microm wavelength region with a stretched-pulse, passively mode-locked, Er-doped fiber laser and highly nonlinear fiber. The fiber laser generates 100-mW, linearly chirped pulses at a 51-MHz repetition rate. The pulses are compressed and then coupled into a normally dispersive highly nonlinear fiber to generate a low-noise supercontinuum with a 180-nm FWHM bandwidth and 38 mW of output power. This light source is stable, compact, and broadband, permitting high-speed, real-time, high-resolution OCT imaging. In vivo high-speed OCT imaging of human skin with approximately 5.5-microm resolution and 99-dB sensitivity is demonstrated.

Time and space integrating acousto-optic folded spectrum processing for SETI

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, K.; Psaltis, D.

1986-01-01

Time and space integrating folded spectrum techniques utilizing acousto-optic devices (AOD) as 1-D input transducers are investigated for a potential application as wideband, high resolution, large processing gain spectrum analyzers in the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence (SETI) program. The space integrating Fourier transform performed by a lens channels the coarse spectral components diffracted from an AOD onto an array of time integrating narrowband fine resolution spectrum analyzers. The pulsing action of a laser diode samples the interferometrically detected output, aliasing the fine resolution components to baseband, as required for the subsequent charge coupled devices (CCD) processing. The raster scan mechanism incorporated into the readout of the CCD detector array is used to unfold the 2-D transform, reproducing the desired high resolution Fourier transform of the input signal.

Towards breaking the spatial resolution barriers: An optical flow and super-resolution approach for sea ice motion estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrou, Zisis I.; Xian, Yang; Tian, YingLi

2018-04-01

Estimation of sea ice motion at fine scales is important for a number of regional and local level applications, including modeling of sea ice distribution, ocean-atmosphere and climate dynamics, as well as safe navigation and sea operations. In this study, we propose an optical flow and super-resolution approach to accurately estimate motion from remote sensing images at a higher spatial resolution than the original data. First, an external example learning-based super-resolution method is applied on the original images to generate higher resolution versions. Then, an optical flow approach is applied on the higher resolution images, identifying sparse correspondences and interpolating them to extract a dense motion vector field with continuous values and subpixel accuracies. Our proposed approach is successfully evaluated on passive microwave, optical, and Synthetic Aperture Radar data, proving appropriate for multi-sensor applications and different spatial resolutions. The approach estimates motion with similar or higher accuracy than the original data, while increasing the spatial resolution of up to eight times. In addition, the adopted optical flow component outperforms a state-of-the-art pattern matching method. Overall, the proposed approach results in accurate motion vectors with unprecedented spatial resolutions of up to 1.5 km for passive microwave data covering the entire Arctic and 20 m for radar data, and proves promising for numerous scientific and operational applications.

Electro-Optic Time-to-Space Converter for Optical Detector Jitter Mitigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Birnbaum, Kevin; Farr, William

2013-01-01

A common problem in optical detection is determining the arrival time of a weak optical pulse that may comprise only one to a few photons. Currently, this problem is solved by using a photodetector to convert the optical signal to an electronic signal. The timing of the electrical signal is used to infer the timing of the optical pulse, but error is introduced by random delay between the absorption of the optical pulse and the creation of the electrical one. To eliminate this error, a time-to-space converter separates a sequence of optical pulses and sends them to different photodetectors, depending on their arrival time. The random delay, called jitter, is at least 20 picoseconds for the best detectors capable of detecting the weakest optical pulses, a single photon, and can be as great as 500 picoseconds. This limits the resolution with which the timing of the optical pulse can be measured. The time-to-space converter overcomes this limitation. Generally, the time-to-space converter imparts a time-dependent momentum shift to the incoming optical pulses, followed by an optical system that separates photons of different momenta. As an example, an electro-optic phase modulator can be used to apply longitudinal momentum changes (frequency changes) that vary in time, followed by an optical spectrometer (such as a diffraction grating), which separates photons with different momenta into different paths and directs them to impinge upon an array of photodetectors. The pulse arrival time is then inferred by measuring which photodetector receives the pulse. The use of a time-to-space converter mitigates detector jitter and improves the resolution with which the timing of an optical pulse is determined. Also, the application of the converter enables the demodulation of a pulse position modulated signal (PPM) at higher bandwidths than using previous photodetector technology. This allows the creation of a receiver for a communication system with high bandwidth and high bits/photon efficiency.

Optical clearing for luminal organ imaging with ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Yanmei; Yuan, Wu; Mavadia-Shukla, Jessica; Li, Xingde

2016-08-01

The imaging depth of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in highly scattering biological tissues (such as luminal organs) is limited, particularly for OCT operating at shorter wavelength regions (such as around 800 nm). For the first time, the optical clearing effect of the mixture of liquid paraffin and glycerol on luminal organs was explored with ultrahigh-resolution spectral domain OCT at 800 nm. Ex vivo studies were performed on pig esophagus and bronchus, and guinea pig esophagus with different volume ratios of the mixture. We found that the mixture of 40% liquid paraffin had the best optical clearing effect on esophageal tissues with a short effective time of ˜10 min, which means the clearing effect occurs about 10 min after the application of the clearing agent. In contrast, no obvious optical clearing effect was identified on bronchus tissues.

First Optical Observations of Interhemispheric Electron Reflections Within Pulsating Aurora

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Samara, M.; Michell, R. G.; Khazanov, G. V.

2017-01-01

A case study of a pulsating auroral event imaged optically at high time resolution presents direct observational evidence in agreement with the interhemispheric electron bouncing predicted by the Super Thermal Electron Transport model. Pulsation-on times are identified and subsequent equally spaced fainter pulsations are also noted and can be explained by a portion/percentage of the primary precipitating electrons reflecting upward from the ionosphere, traveling to the opposite hemisphere and reflecting upward again. The high time resolution of these data, combined with the short duration of the pulsation-on time (approx. 1 s) and the relatively long spacing between pulsations (approx. 6 to 9 s) made it possible to observe the faint optical pulses caused by the reflected electrons coming from the opposite hemisphere.

High-resolution (>5 800 time-bandwidth product) shear mode TeO2 deflector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soos, Jolanta I.; Caviris, Nicholas P.; Phuvan, Sonlinh

1992-12-01

Acousto-optic deflectors play an important role in optical signal processing systems due to their real time processing capabilities, as well as their conversion capabilities of a function of time to a function of space and time. In this work Brimrose investigated the design and fabrication of state-of-the-art, very large time-bandwidth acousto-optic devices from TeO2 single crystals.

Linear optical pulse compression based on temporal zone plates.

PubMed

Li, Bo; Li, Ming; Lou, Shuqin; Azaña, José

2013-07-15

We propose and demonstrate time-domain equivalents of spatial zone plates, namely temporal zone plates, as alternatives to conventional time lenses. Both temporal intensity zone plates, based on intensity-only temporal modulation, and temporal phase zone plates, based on phase-only temporal modulation, are introduced and studied. Temporal zone plates do not exhibit the limiting tradeoff between temporal aperture and frequency bandwidth (temporal resolution) of conventional linear time lenses. As a result, these zone plates can be ideally designed to offer a time-bandwidth product (TBP) as large as desired, practically limited by the achievable temporal modulation bandwidth (limiting the temporal resolution) and the amount of dispersion needed in the target processing systems (limiting the temporal aperture). We numerically and experimentally demonstrate linear optical pulse compression by using temporal zone plates based on linear electro-optic temporal modulation followed by fiber-optics dispersion. In the pulse-compression experiment based on temporal phase zone plates, we achieve a resolution of ~25.5 ps over a temporal aperture of ~5.77 ns, representing an experimental TBP larger than 226 using a phase-modulation amplitude of only ~0.8π rad. We also numerically study the potential of these devices to achieve temporal imaging of optical waveforms and present a comparative analysis on the performance of different temporal intensity and phase zone plates.

Real-time high-resolution heterodyne-based measurements of spectral dynamics in fibre lasers

PubMed Central

Sugavanam, Srikanth; Fabbri, Simon; Le, Son Thai; Lobach, Ivan; Kablukov, Sergey; Khorev, Serge; Churkin, Dmitry

2016-01-01

Conventional tools for measurement of laser spectra (e.g. optical spectrum analysers) capture data averaged over a considerable time period. However, the generation spectrum of many laser types may involve spectral dynamics whose relatively fast time scale is determined by their cavity round trip period, calling for instrumentation featuring both high temporal and spectral resolution. Such real-time spectral characterisation becomes particularly challenging if the laser pulses are long, or they have continuous or quasi-continuous wave radiation components. Here we combine optical heterodyning with a technique of spatio-temporal intensity measurements that allows the characterisation of such complex sources. Fast, round-trip-resolved spectral dynamics of cavity-based systems in real-time are obtained, with temporal resolution of one cavity round trip and frequency resolution defined by its inverse (85 ns and 24 MHz respectively are demonstrated). We also show how under certain conditions for quasi-continuous wave sources, the spectral resolution could be further increased by a factor of 100 by direct extraction of phase information from the heterodyned dynamics or by using double time scales within the spectrogram approach. PMID:26984634

New Light Sources and Concepts for Electro-Optic Sampling

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-03-01

Research to improve electro - optic sampling led to the development of several high performance optical phase modulators. These phase modulators serve...method of optical pulse shape measurement was demonstrated with 3 ps time resolution, excellent power sensitivity and relative system simplicity. These experiments have opened up the field of temporal optics. Electro - optic sampling.

Single-shot optical recording with sub-picosecond resolution spans record nanosecond lengths

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Muir, Ryan; Heebner, John

With the advent of electronics, oscilloscopes and photodiodes are now routinely capable of measuring events well below nanosecond resolution. However, these electronic instruments do not currently measure events below 10 ps resolution. From Walden’s observation that there is an engineering tradeoff between electronic bit depth and temporal resolution in analog-to-digital converters, this technique is projected to have extremely poor fidelity if it is extended to record single events with picosecond resolution. While this constraint may be circumvented with extensive signal averaging or other multiple measurements approaches, rare events and nonrepetitive events cannot be observed with this technique. Techniques capable ofmore » measuring information in a single shot are often required. There is a general lack of available technologies that are easily scalable to long records with sub-picosecond resolution, and are simultaneously versatile in wavelength of operation. Since it is difficult to scale electronic methods to shorter resolutions, we instead aim to scale optical methods to longer records. Demonstrated optical recording methods that have achieved 1 ps resolution and long recording lengths rely on either time scaling to slow down the temporal information or, like Wien, perform time-to-space mapping so that fast events may be captured with a conventional camera.« less

Single-shot optical recording with sub-picosecond resolution spans record nanosecond lengths

DOE PAGES

Muir, Ryan; Heebner, John

2018-01-18

With the advent of electronics, oscilloscopes and photodiodes are now routinely capable of measuring events well below nanosecond resolution. However, these electronic instruments do not currently measure events below 10 ps resolution. From Walden’s observation that there is an engineering tradeoff between electronic bit depth and temporal resolution in analog-to-digital converters, this technique is projected to have extremely poor fidelity if it is extended to record single events with picosecond resolution. While this constraint may be circumvented with extensive signal averaging or other multiple measurements approaches, rare events and nonrepetitive events cannot be observed with this technique. Techniques capable ofmore » measuring information in a single shot are often required. There is a general lack of available technologies that are easily scalable to long records with sub-picosecond resolution, and are simultaneously versatile in wavelength of operation. Since it is difficult to scale electronic methods to shorter resolutions, we instead aim to scale optical methods to longer records. Demonstrated optical recording methods that have achieved 1 ps resolution and long recording lengths rely on either time scaling to slow down the temporal information or, like Wien, perform time-to-space mapping so that fast events may be captured with a conventional camera.« less

Curved crystal x-ray optics for monochromatic imaging with a clinical source.

PubMed

Bingölbali, Ayhan; MacDonald, C A

2009-04-01

Monochromatic x-ray imaging has been shown to increase contrast and reduce dose relative to conventional broadband imaging. However, clinical sources with very narrow energy bandwidth tend to have limited intensity and field of view. In this study, focused fan beam monochromatic radiation was obtained using doubly curved monochromator crystals. While these optics have been in use for microanalysis at synchrotron facilities for some time, this work is the first investigation of the potential application of curved crystal optics to clinical sources for medical imaging. The optics could be used with a variety of clinical sources for monochromatic slot scan imaging. The intensity was assessed and the resolution of the focused beam was measured using a knife-edge technique. A simulation model was developed and comparisons to the measured resolution were performed to verify the accuracy of the simulation to predict resolution for different conventional sources. A simple geometrical calculation was also developed. The measured, simulated, and calculated resolutions agreed well. Adequate resolution and intensity for mammography were predicted for appropriate source/optic combinations.

Far-field photostable optical nanoscopy (PHOTON) for real-time super-resolution single-molecular imaging of signaling pathways of single live cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Tao; Browning, Lauren M.; Xu, Xiao-Hong Nancy

2012-04-01

Cellular signaling pathways play crucial roles in cellular functions and design of effective therapies. Unfortunately, study of cellular signaling pathways remains formidably challenging because sophisticated cascades are involved, and a few molecules are sufficient to trigger signaling responses of a single cell. Here we report the development of far-field photostable-optical-nanoscopy (PHOTON) with photostable single-molecule-nanoparticle-optical-biosensors (SMNOBS) for mapping dynamic cascades of apoptotic signaling pathways of single live cells in real-time at single-molecule (SM) and nanometer (nm) resolutions. We have quantitatively imaged single ligand molecules (tumor necrosis factor α, TNFα) and their binding kinetics with their receptors (TNFR1) on single live cells; tracked formation and internalization of their clusters and their initiation of intracellular signaling pathways in real-time; and studied apoptotic signaling dynamics and mechanisms of single live cells with sufficient temporal and spatial resolutions. This study provides new insights into complex real-time dynamic cascades and molecular mechanisms of apoptotic signaling pathways of single live cells. PHOTON provides superior imaging and sensing capabilities and SMNOBS offer unrivaled biocompatibility and photostability, which enable probing of signaling pathways of single live cells in real-time at SM and nm resolutions.Cellular signaling pathways play crucial roles in cellular functions and design of effective therapies. Unfortunately, study of cellular signaling pathways remains formidably challenging because sophisticated cascades are involved, and a few molecules are sufficient to trigger signaling responses of a single cell. Here we report the development of far-field photostable-optical-nanoscopy (PHOTON) with photostable single-molecule-nanoparticle-optical-biosensors (SMNOBS) for mapping dynamic cascades of apoptotic signaling pathways of single live cells in real-time at single-molecule (SM) and nanometer (nm) resolutions. We have quantitatively imaged single ligand molecules (tumor necrosis factor α, TNFα) and their binding kinetics with their receptors (TNFR1) on single live cells; tracked formation and internalization of their clusters and their initiation of intracellular signaling pathways in real-time; and studied apoptotic signaling dynamics and mechanisms of single live cells with sufficient temporal and spatial resolutions. This study provides new insights into complex real-time dynamic cascades and molecular mechanisms of apoptotic signaling pathways of single live cells. PHOTON provides superior imaging and sensing capabilities and SMNOBS offer unrivaled biocompatibility and photostability, which enable probing of signaling pathways of single live cells in real-time at SM and nm resolutions. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c2nr11739h

A compact CCD-monitored atomic force microscope with optical vision and improved performances.

PubMed

Mingyue, Liu; Haijun, Zhang; Dongxian, Zhang

2013-09-01

A novel CCD-monitored atomic force microscope (AFM) with optical vision and improved performances has been developed. Compact optical paths are specifically devised for both tip-sample microscopic monitoring and cantilever's deflection detecting with minimized volume and optimal light-amplifying ratio. The ingeniously designed AFM probe with such optical paths enables quick and safe tip-sample approaching, convenient and effective tip-sample positioning, and high quality image scanning. An image stitching method is also developed to build a wider-range AFM image under monitoring. Experiments show that this AFM system can offer real-time optical vision for tip-sample monitoring with wide visual field and/or high lateral optical resolution by simply switching the objective; meanwhile, it has the elegant performances of nanometer resolution, high stability, and high scan speed. Furthermore, it is capable of conducting wider-range image measurement while keeping nanometer resolution. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Wavelength-encoded tomography based on optical temporal Fourier transform

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Chi; Wong, Kenneth K. Y., E-mail: kywong@eee.hku.hk

We propose and demonstrate a technique called wavelength-encoded tomography (WET) for non-invasive optical cross-sectional imaging, particularly beneficial in biological system. The WET utilizes time-lens to perform the optical Fourier transform, and the time-to-wavelength conversion generates a wavelength-encoded image of optical scattering from internal microstructures, analogous to the interferometery-based imaging such as optical coherence tomography. Optical Fourier transform, in principle, comes with twice as good axial resolution over the electrical Fourier transform, and will greatly simplify the digital signal processing after the data acquisition. As a proof-of-principle demonstration, a 150 -μm (ideally 36 μm) resolution is achieved based on a 7.5-nm bandwidth swept-pump,more » using a conventional optical spectrum analyzer. This approach can potentially achieve up to 100-MHz or even higher frame rate with some proven ultrafast spectrum analyzer. We believe that this technique is innovative towards the next-generation ultrafast optical tomographic imaging application.« less

Distributed optical fiber temperature sensor (DOFTS) system applied to automatic temperature alarm of coal mine and tunnel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zaixuan; Wang, Kequan; Kim, Insoo S.; Wang, Jianfeng; Feng, Haiqi; Guo, Ning; Yu, Xiangdong; Zhou, Bangquan; Wu, Xiaobiao; Kim, Yohee

2000-05-01

The DOFTS system that has applied to temperature automatically alarm system of coal mine and tunnel has been researched. It is a real-time, on line and multi-point measurement system. The wavelength of LD is 1550 nm, on the 6 km optical fiber, 3000 points temperature signal is sampled and the spatial position is certain. Temperature measured region: -50 degree(s)C--100 degree(s)C; measured uncertain value: +/- 3 degree(s)C; temperature resolution: 0.1 degree(s)C; spatial resolution: <5 cm (optical fiber sensor probe); <8 m (spread optical fiber); measured time: <70 s. In the paper, the operated principles, underground test, test content and practical test results have been discussed.

Adaptive Optics Imaging of Solar System Objects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roddier, Francois; Owen, Toby

1999-01-01

Most solar system objects have never been observed at wavelengths longer than the R band with an angular resolution better than 1". The Hubble Space Telescope itself has only recently been equipped to observe in the infrared. However, because of its small diameter, the angular resolution is lower than that one can now achieved from the ground with adaptive optics, and time allocated to planetary science is limited. We have successfully used adaptive optics on a 4-m class telescope to obtain 0.1" resolution images of solar system objects in the far red and near infrared (0.7-2.5 microns), aE wavelengths which best discl"lmlnate their spectral signatures. Our efforts have been put into areas of research for which high angular resolution is essential.

Active optics for next generation space telescopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costes, V.; Perret, L.; Laubier, D.; Delvit, J. M.; Imbert, C.; Cadiergues, L.; Faure, C.

2017-09-01

High resolution observation systems need bigger and bigger telescopes. The design of such telescopes is a key issue for the whole satellite. In order to improve the imaging resolution with minimum impact on the satellite, a big effort must be made to improve the telescope compactness. Compactness is also important for the agility of the satellite and for the size and cost of the launcher. This paper shows how compact a high resolution telescope can be. A diffraction limited telescope can be less than ten times shorter than its focal length. But the compactness impacts drastically the opto-mechanical sensitivity and the optical performances. Typically, a gain of a factor of 2 leads to a mechanical tolerance budget 6 times more difficult. The need to implement active optics for positioning requirements raises very quickly. Moreover, the capability to compensate shape defaults of the primary mirror is the way to simplify the mirror manufacture, to mitigate the development risks and to minimize the cost. The larger the primary mirror is, the more interesting it is to implement active optics for shape compensations. CNES is preparing next generation of earth observation satellite in the frame of OTOS (Observation de la Terre Optique Super-Résolue; High resolution earth observing optical system). OTOS is a technology program. In particular, optical technological developments and breadboards dedicated to active optics are on-going. The aim is to achieve TRL 5 to TRL6 for these new technologies and to validate the global performances of such an active telescope.

Retinal optical coherence tomography at 1 μm with dynamic focus control and axial motion tracking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cua, Michelle; Lee, Sujin; Miao, Dongkai; Ju, Myeong Jin; Mackenzie, Paul J.; Jian, Yifan; Sarunic, Marinko V.

2016-02-01

High-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal imaging is important to noninvasively visualize the various retinal structures to aid in better understanding of the pathogenesis of vision-robbing diseases. However, conventional OCT systems have a trade-off between lateral resolution and depth-of-focus. In this report, we present the development of a focus-stacking OCT system with automatic focus optimization for high-resolution, extended-focal-range clinical retinal imaging by incorporating a variable-focus liquid lens into the sample arm optics. Retinal layer tracking and selection was performed using a graphics processing unit accelerated processing platform for focus optimization, providing real-time layer-specific en face visualization. After optimization, multiple volumes focused at different depths were acquired, registered, and stitched together to yield a single, high-resolution focus-stacked dataset. Using this system, we show high-resolution images of the retina and optic nerve head, from which we extracted clinically relevant parameters such as the nerve fiber layer thickness and lamina cribrosa microarchitecture.

Retinal optical coherence tomography at 1 μm with dynamic focus control and axial motion tracking.

PubMed

Cua, Michelle; Lee, Sujin; Miao, Dongkai; Ju, Myeong Jin; Mackenzie, Paul J; Jian, Yifan; Sarunic, Marinko V

2016-02-01

High-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal imaging is important to noninvasively visualize the various retinal structures to aid in better understanding of the pathogenesis of vision-robbing diseases. However, conventional OCT systems have a trade-off between lateral resolution and depth-of-focus. In this report, we present the development of a focus-stacking OCT system with automatic focus optimization for high-resolution, extended-focal-range clinical retinal imaging by incorporating a variable-focus liquid lens into the sample arm optics. Retinal layer tracking and selection was performed using a graphics processing unit accelerated processing platform for focus optimization, providing real-time layer-specific en face visualization. After optimization, multiple volumes focused at different depths were acquired, registered, and stitched together to yield a single, high-resolution focus-stacked dataset. Using this system, we show high-resolution images of the retina and optic nerve head, from which we extracted clinically relevant parameters such as the nerve fiber layer thickness and lamina cribrosa microarchitecture.

Phonons, defects and optical damage in crystalline acetanilide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosic, Thomas J.; Hill, Jeffrey R.; Dlott, Dana D.

1986-04-01

Intense picosecond pulses cause accumulated optical damage in acetanilide crystals at low temperature. Catastrophic damage to the irradiated volume occurs after an incubation period where defects accumulate. The optical damage is monitored with subanosecond time resolution. The generation of defects is studied with damage-detected picosecond spectroscopy. The accumulation of defects is studied by time-resolved coherent Raman scattering, which is used to measure optical phonon scattering from the accumulating defects.

3D wide field-of-view Gabor-domain optical coherence microscopy advancing real-time in-vivo imaging and metrology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canavesi, Cristina; Cogliati, Andrea; Hayes, Adam; Tankam, Patrice; Santhanam, Anand; Rolland, Jannick P.

2017-02-01

Real-time volumetric high-definition wide-field-of-view in-vivo cellular imaging requires micron-scale resolution in 3D. Compactness of the handheld device and distortion-free images with cellular resolution are also critically required for onsite use in clinical applications. By integrating a custom liquid lens-based microscope and a dual-axis MEMS scanner in a compact handheld probe, Gabor-domain optical coherence microscopy (GD-OCM) breaks the lateral resolution limit of optical coherence tomography through depth, overcoming the tradeoff between numerical aperture and depth of focus, enabling advances in biotechnology. Furthermore, distortion-free imaging with no post-processing is achieved with a compact, lightweight handheld MEMS scanner that obtained a 12-fold reduction in volume and 17-fold reduction in weight over a previous dual-mirror galvanometer-based scanner. Approaching the holy grail of medical imaging - noninvasive real-time imaging with histologic resolution - GD-OCM demonstrates invariant resolution of 2 μm throughout a volume of 1 x 1 x 0.6 mm3, acquired and visualized in less than 2 minutes with parallel processing on graphics processing units. Results on the metrology of manufactured materials and imaging of human tissue with GD-OCM are presented.

Resolution enhancement using simultaneous couple illumination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hussain, Anwar; Martínez Fuentes, José Luis

2016-10-01

A super-resolution technique based on structured illumination created by a liquid crystal on silicon spatial light modulator (LCOS-SLM) is presented. Single and simultaneous pairs of tilted beams are generated to illuminate a target object. Resolution enhancement of an optical 4f system is demonstrated by using numerical simulations. The resulting intensity images are recorded at a charged couple device (CCD) and stored in the computer memory for further processing. One dimension enhancement can be performed with only 15 images. Two dimensional complete improvement requires 153 different images. The resolution of the optical system is extended three times compared to the band limited system.

Ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography with a fiber laser source at 1 microm.

PubMed

Lim, Hyungsik; Jiang, Yi; Wang, Yimin; Huang, Yu-Chih; Chen, Zhongping; Wise, Frank W

2005-05-15

We report a compact, high-power, fiber-based source for ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) near 1 microm. The practical source is based on a short-pulse, ytterbium-doped fiber laser and on generation of a continuum spectrum in a photonic crystal fiber. The broadband emission has an average power of 140 mW and offers an axial resolution of 2.1 microm in air (<1.6 microm in biological tissue). The generation of a broad bandwidth is robust and efficient. We demonstrate ultrahigh-resolution, time-domain OCT imaging of in vitro and in vivo biological tissues.

Towards real-time diffuse optical tomography for imaging brain functions cooperated with Kalman estimator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Bingyuan; Zhang, Yao; Liu, Dongyuan; Ding, Xuemei; Dan, Mai; Pan, Tiantian; Wang, Yihan; Li, Jiao; Zhou, Zhongxing; Zhang, Limin; Zhao, Huijuan; Gao, Feng

2018-02-01

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive neuroimaging method to monitor the cerebral hemodynamic through the optical changes measured at the scalp surface. It has played a more and more important role in psychology and medical imaging communities. Real-time imaging of brain function using NIRS makes it possible to explore some sophisticated human brain functions unexplored before. Kalman estimator has been frequently used in combination with modified Beer-Lamber Law (MBLL) based optical topology (OT), for real-time brain function imaging. However, the spatial resolution of the OT is low, hampering the application of OT in exploring some complicated brain functions. In this paper, we develop a real-time imaging method combining diffuse optical tomography (DOT) and Kalman estimator, much improving the spatial resolution. Instead of only presenting one spatially distributed image indicating the changes of the absorption coefficients at each time point during the recording process, one real-time updated image using the Kalman estimator is provided. Its each voxel represents the amplitude of the hemodynamic response function (HRF) associated with this voxel. We evaluate this method using some simulation experiments, demonstrating that this method can obtain more reliable spatial resolution images. Furthermore, a statistical analysis is also conducted to help to decide whether a voxel in the field of view is activated or not.

Fast ultra-wideband microwave spectral scanning utilizing photonic wavelength- and time-division multiplexing.

PubMed

Li, Yihan; Kuse, Naoya; Fermann, Martin

2017-08-07

A high-speed ultra-wideband microwave spectral scanning system is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. Utilizing coherent dual electro-optical frequency combs and a recirculating optical frequency shifter, the proposed system realizes wavelength- and time-division multiplexing at the same time, offering flexibility between scan speed and size, weight and power requirements (SWaP). High-speed spectral scanning spanning from ~1 to 8 GHz with ~1.2 MHz spectral resolution is achieved experimentally within 14 µs. The system can be easily scaled to higher bandwidth coverage, faster scanning speed or finer spectral resolution with suitable hardware.

High frequency resolution terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sangala, Bagvanth Reddy

2013-12-01

A new method for the high frequency resolution terahertz time-domain spectroscopy is developed based on the characteristic matrix method. This method is useful for studying planar samples or stack of planar samples. The terahertz radiation was generated by optical rectification in a ZnTe crystal and detected by another ZnTe crystal via electro-optic sampling method. In this new characteristic matrix based method, the spectra of the sample and reference waveforms will be modeled by using characteristic matrices. We applied this new method to measure the optical constants of air. The terahertz transmission through the layered systems air-Teflon-air-Quartz-air and Nitrogen gas-Teflon-Nitrogen gas-Quartz-Nitrogen gas was modeled by the characteristic matrix method. A transmission coefficient is derived from these models which was optimized to fit the experimental transmission coefficient to extract the optical constants of air. The optimization of an error function involving the experimental complex transmission coefficient and the theoretical transmission coefficient was performed using patternsearch algorithm of MATLAB. Since this method takes account of the echo waveforms due to reflections in the layered samples, this method allows analysis of longer time-domain waveforms giving rise to very high frequency resolution in the frequency-domain. We have presented the high frequency resolution terahertz time-domain spectroscopy of air and compared the results with the literature values. We have also fitted the complex susceptibility of air to the Lorentzian and Gaussian functions to extract the linewidths.

Very high-resolution spectroscopy for extremely large telescopes using pupil slicing and adaptive optics.

PubMed

Beckers, Jacques M; Andersen, Torben E; Owner-Petersen, Mette

2007-03-05

Under seeing limited conditions very high resolution spectroscopy becomes very difficult for extremely large telescopes (ELTs). Using adaptive optics (AO) the stellar image size decreases proportional with the telescope diameter. This makes the spectrograph optics and hence its resolution independent of the telescope diameter. However AO for use with ELTs at visible wavelengths require deformable mirrors with many elements. Those are not likely to be available for quite some time. We propose to use the pupil slicing technique to create a number of sub-pupils each of which having its own deformable mirror. The images from all sub-pupils are combined incoherently with a diameter corresponding to the diffraction limit of the sub-pupil. The technique is referred to as "Pupil Slicing Adaptive Optics" or PSAO.

A promising new mechanism of ionizing radiation detection for positron emission tomography: Modulation of optical properties

PubMed Central

Tao, Li; Daghighian, Henry M.; Levin, Craig S.

2016-01-01

Using conventional scintillation detection, the fundamental limit in positron emission tomography (PET) time resolution is strongly dependent on the inherent temporal variances generated during the scintillation process, yielding an intrinsic physical limit for the coincidence time resolution of around 100 ps. On the other hand, modulation mechanisms of the optical properties of a material exploited in the optical telecommunications industry can be orders of magnitude faster. In this paper we borrow from the concept of optics pump-probe measurement to for the first time study whether ionizing radiation can produce modulations of optical properties, which can be utilized as a novel method for radiation detection. We show that a refractive index modulation of approximately 5 × 10−6 is induced by interactions in a cadmium telluride (CdTe) crystal from a 511 keV photon source. Furthermore, using additional radionuclide sources, we show that the amplitude of the optical modulation signal varies linearly with both the detected event rate and average photon energy of the radiation source. PMID:27716640

A System for Photon-Counting Spectrophotometry of Prompt Optical Emission from Gamma-Ray Bursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vestrand, W. T.; Albright, K.; Casperson, D.; Fenimore, E.; Ho, C.; Priedhorsky, W.; White, R.; Wren, J.

2003-04-01

With the launch of HETE-2 and the coming launch of the Swift satellite, there will be many new opportunities to study the physics of the prompt optical emission with robotic ground-based telescopes. Time-resolved spectrophotometry of the rapidly varying optical emission is likely to be a rich area for discovery. We describe a program to apply state-of-the-art photon-counting imaging technology to the study of prompt optical emission from gamma-ray bursts. The Remote Ultra-Low Light Imaging (RULLI) project at Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed an imaging sensor which employs stacked microchannel plates and a crossed delay line readout with 200 picosecond photon timing to measure the time of arrival and positions for individual optical photons. RULLI detectors, when coupled with a transmission grating having 300 grooves/mm, can make photon-counting spectroscopic observations with spectral resolution that is an order of magnitude greater and temporal resolution three orders of magnitude greater than the most capable photon-counting imaging detectors that have been used for optical astronomy.

Optical coherence microscope for invariant high resolution in vivo skin imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murali, S.; Lee, K. S.; Meemon, P.; Rolland, J. P.

2008-02-01

A non-invasive, reliable and affordable imaging system with the capability of detecting skin pathologies such as skin cancer would be a valuable tool to use for pre-screening and diagnostic applications. Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) is emerging as a building block for in vivo optical diagnosis, where high numerical aperture optics is introduced in the sample arm to achieve high lateral resolution. While high numerical aperture optics enables realizing high lateral resolution at the focus point, dynamic focusing is required to maintain the target lateral resolution throughout the depth of the sample being imaged. In this paper, we demonstrate the ability to dynamically focus in real-time with no moving parts to a depth of up to 2mm in skin-equivalent tissue in order to achieve 3.5μm lateral resolution throughout an 8 cubic millimeter sample. The built-in dynamic focusing ability is provided by an addressable liquid lens embedded in custom-designed optics which was designed for a broadband laser source of 120 nm bandwidth centered at around 800nm. The imaging probe was designed to be low-cost and portable. Design evaluation and tolerance analysis results show that the probe is robust to manufacturing errors and produces consistent high performance throughout the imaging volume.

Linear time-to-space mapping system using double electrooptic beam deflectors.

PubMed

Hisatake, Shintaro; Tada, Keiji; Nagatsuma, Tadao

2008-12-22

We propose and demonstrate a linear time-to-space mapping system, which is based on two times electrooptic sinusoidal beam deflection. The direction of each deflection is set to be mutually orthogonal with the relative deflection phase of pi/2 rad so that the circular optical beam trajectory can be achieved. The beam spot at the observation plane moves with an uniform velocity and as a result linear time-to-space mapping (an uniform temporal resolution through the mapping) can be realized. The proof-of-concept experiment are carried out and the temporal resolution of 5 ps has been demonstrated using traveling-wave type quasi-velosity-matched electrooptic beam deflectors. The developed system is expected to be applied to characterization of ultrafast optical signal or optical arbitrary waveform shaping for modulated microwave/millimeter-wave generation.

Time lens assisted photonic sampling extraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrillo, Keith Gordon

Telecommunication bandwidth demands have dramatically increased in recent years due to Internet based services like cloud computing and storage, large file sharing, and video streaming. Additionally, sensing systems such as wideband radar, magnetic imaging resonance systems, and complex modulation formats to handle large data transfer in telecommunications require high speed, high resolution analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to interpret the data. Accurately processing and acquiring the information at next generation data rates from these systems has become challenging for electronic systems. The largest contributors to the electronic bottleneck are bandwidth and timing jitter which limit speed and reduce accuracy. Optical systems have shown to have at least three orders of magnitude increase in bandwidth capabilities and state of the art mode locked lasers have reduced timing jitters into thousands of attoseconds. Such features have encouraged processing signals without the use of electronics or using photonics to assist electronics. All optical signal processing has allowed the processing of telecommunication line rates up to 1.28 Tb/s and high resolution analog-to-digital converters in the 10s of gigahertz. The major drawback to these optical systems is the high cost of the components. The application of all optical processing techniques such as a time lens and chirped processing can greatly reduce bandwidth and cost requirements of optical serial to parallel converters and push photonically assisted ADCs into the 100s of gigahertz. In this dissertation, the building blocks to a high speed photonically assisted ADC are demonstrated, each providing benefits to its own respective application. A serial to parallel converter using a continuously operating time lens as an optical Fourier processor is demonstrated to fully convert a 160-Gb/s optical time division multiplexed signal to 16 10-Gb/s channels with error free operation. Using chirped processing, an optical sample and hold concept is demonstrated and analyzed as a resolution improvement to existing photonically assisted ADCs. Simulations indicate that the application of a continuously operating time lens to a photonically assisted sampling system can increase photonically sampled systems by an order of magnitude while acquiring properties similar to an optical sample and hold system.

Fiber optic sensing technology for detecting gas hydrate formation and decomposition.

PubMed

Rawn, C J; Leeman, J R; Ulrich, S M; Alford, J E; Phelps, T J; Madden, M E

2011-02-01

A fiber optic-based distributed sensing system (DSS) has been integrated with a large volume (72 l) pressure vessel providing high spatial resolution, time-resolved, 3D measurement of hybrid temperature-strain (TS) values within experimental sediment-gas hydrate systems. Areas of gas hydrate formation (exothermic) and decomposition (endothermic) can be characterized through this proxy by time series analysis of discrete data points collected along the length of optical fibers placed within a sediment system. Data are visualized as an animation of TS values along the length of each fiber over time. Experiments conducted in the Seafloor Process Simulator at Oak Ridge National Laboratory clearly indicate hydrate formation and dissociation events at expected pressure-temperature conditions given the thermodynamics of the CH(4)-H(2)O system. The high spatial resolution achieved with fiber optic technology makes the DSS a useful tool for visualizing time-resolved formation and dissociation of gas hydrates in large-scale sediment experiments.

Fiber optic sensing technology for detecting gas hydrate formation and decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rawn, C. J.; Leeman, J. R.; Ulrich, S. M.; Alford, J. E.; Phelps, T. J.; Madden, M. E.

2011-02-01

A fiber optic-based distributed sensing system (DSS) has been integrated with a large volume (72 l) pressure vessel providing high spatial resolution, time-resolved, 3D measurement of hybrid temperature-strain (TS) values within experimental sediment-gas hydrate systems. Areas of gas hydrate formation (exothermic) and decomposition (endothermic) can be characterized through this proxy by time series analysis of discrete data points collected along the length of optical fibers placed within a sediment system. Data are visualized as an animation of TS values along the length of each fiber over time. Experiments conducted in the Seafloor Process Simulator at Oak Ridge National Laboratory clearly indicate hydrate formation and dissociation events at expected pressure-temperature conditions given the thermodynamics of the CH4-H2O system. The high spatial resolution achieved with fiber optic technology makes the DSS a useful tool for visualizing time-resolved formation and dissociation of gas hydrates in large-scale sediment experiments.

Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography of the embryonic murine cardiovascular system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Wei; Marks, Daniel L.; Ralston, Tyler S.; Boppart, Stephen A.

2006-03-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging high-resolution real-time biomedical imaging technology that has potential as a novel investigational tool in developmental biology and functional genomics. In this study, murine embryos and embryonic hearts are visualized with an OCT system capable of 2-µm axial and 15-µm lateral resolution and with real-time acquisition rates. We present, to our knowledge, the first sets of high-resolution 2- and 3-D OCT images that reveal the internal structures of the mammalian (murine) embryo (E10.5) and embryonic (E14.5 and E17.5) cardiovascular system. Strong correlations are observed between OCT images and corresponding hematoxylin- and eosin-stained histological sections. Real-time in vivo embryonic (E10.5) heart activity is captured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, processed, and displayed at a continuous rate of five frames per second. With the ability to obtain not only high-resolution anatomical data but also functional information during cardiovascular development, the OCT technology has the potential to visualize and quantify changes in murine development and in congenital and induced heart disease, as well as enable a wide range of basic in vitro and in vivo research studies in functional genomics.

Towards large dynamic range and ultrahigh measurement resolution in distributed fiber sensing based on multicore fiber.

PubMed

Dang, Yunli; Zhao, Zhiyong; Tang, Ming; Zhao, Can; Gan, Lin; Fu, Songnian; Liu, Tongqing; Tong, Weijun; Shum, Perry Ping; Liu, Deming

2017-08-21

Featuring a dependence of Brillouin frequency shift (BFS) on temperature and strain changes over a wide range, Brillouin distributed optical fiber sensors are however essentially subjected to the relatively poor temperature/strain measurement resolution. On the other hand, phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) offers ultrahigh temperature/strain measurement resolution, but the available frequency scanning range is normally narrow thereby severely restricts its measurement dynamic range. In order to achieve large dynamic range and high measurement resolution simultaneously, we propose to employ both the Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) and Φ-OTDR through space-division multiplexed (SDM) configuration based on the multicore fiber (MCF), in which the two sensors are spatially separately implemented in the central core and a side core, respectively. As a proof of concept, the temperature sensing has been performed for validation with 2.5 m spatial resolution over 1.565 km MCF. Large temperature range (10 °C) has been measured by BOTDA and the 0.1 °C small temperature variation is successfully identified by Φ-OTDR with ~0.001 °C resolution. Moreover, the temperature changing process has been recorded by continuously performing the measurement of Φ-OTDR with 80 s frequency scanning period, showing about 0.02 °C temperature spacing at the monitored profile. The proposed system enables the capability to see finer and/or farther upon requirement in distributed optical fiber sensing.

Neptune and Titan Observed with Keck Telescope Adaptive Optics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Max, C.E.; Macintosh, B.A.; Gibbard, S.

2000-05-05

The authors report on observations taken during engineering science validation time using the new adaptive optics system at the 10-m Keck II Telescope. They observe Neptune and Titan at near-infrared wavelengths. These objects are ideal for adaptive optics imaging because they are bright and small, yet have many diffraction-limited resolution elements across their disks. In addition Neptune and Titan have prominent physical features, some of which change markedly with time. They have observed infrared-bright storms on Neptune, and very low-albedo surface regions on Titan, Saturn's largest moon, Spatial resolution on Neptune and Titan was 0.05-0.06 and 0.04-0.05 arc sec, respectively.

Analysis of composite/difference field scattering properties between a slightly rough optical surface and multi-body defects.

PubMed

Gong, Lei; Wu, Zhensen; Gao, Ming; Qu, Tan

2018-03-20

The effective extraction of optical surface roughness and defect characteristic provide important realistic values to improve optical system efficiency. Based on finite difference time domain/multi-resolution time domain (FDTD/MRTD) mixed approach, composite scattering between a slightly rough optical surface and multi-body defect particles with different positions is investigated. The scattering contribution of defect particles or the slightly rough optical surface is presented. Our study provides a theoretical and technological basis for the nondestructive examination and optical performance design of nanometer structures.

Diffraction-limited imaging with very large telescopes; Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute, Cargese, France, Sept. 13-23, 1988

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alloin, D. M.; Mariotti, J.-M.

Recent advances in optics and observation techniques for very large astronomical telescopes are discussed in reviews and reports. Topics addressed include Fourier optics and coherence, optical propagation and image formation through a turbulent atmosphere, radio telescopes, continuously deformable telescopes for optical interferometry (I), amplitude estimation from speckle I, noise calibration of speckle imagery, and amplitude estimation from diluted-array I. Consideration is given to first-order imaging methods, speckle imaging with the PAPA detector and the Knox-Thompson algorithm, phase-closure imaging, real-time wavefront sensing and adaptive optics, differential I, astrophysical programs for high-angular-resolution optical I, cophasing telescope arrays, aperture synthesis for space observatories, and lunar occultations for marcsec resolution.

Optical Frequency Comb Fourier Transform Spectroscopy with Resolution Exceeding the Limit Set by the Optical Path Difference

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foltynowicz, Aleksandra; Rutkowski, Lucile; Johanssson, Alexandra C.; Khodabakhsh, Amir; Maslowski, Piotr; Kowzan, Grzegorz; Lee, Kevin; Fermann, Martin

2015-06-01

Fourier transform spectrometers (FTS) based on optical frequency combs (OFC) allow detection of broadband molecular spectra with high signal-to-noise ratios within acquisition times orders of magnitude shorter than traditional FTIRs based on thermal sources. Due to the pulsed nature of OFCs the interferogram consists of a series of bursts rather than a single burst at zero optical path difference (OPD). The comb mode structure can be resolved by acquiring multiple bursts, in both mechanical FTS systems and dual-comb spectroscopy. However, in all existing demonstrations the resolution was ultimately limited either by the maximum available OPD between the interferometer arms or by the total acquisition time enabled by the storage memory. We present a method that provides spectral resolution exceeding the limit set by the maximum OPD using an interferogram containing only a single burst. The method allows measurements of absorption lines narrower than the OPD-limited resolution without any influence of the instrumental lineshape function. We demonstrate this by measuring undistorted CO2 and CO absorption lines with linewidth narrower than the OPD-limited resolution using OFC-based mechanical FTS in the near- and mid-infrared wavelength ranges. The near-infrared system is based on an Er:fiber femtosecond laser locked to a high finesse cavity, while the mid-infrared system is based on a Tm:fiber-laser-pumped optical parametric oscillator coupled to a multi-pass cell. We show that the method allows acquisition of high-resolution molecular spectra with interferometer length orders of magnitude shorter than traditional FTIR. Mandon, J., G. Guelachvili, and N. Picque, Nat. Phot., 2009. 3(2): p. 99-102. Zeitouny, M., et al., Ann. Phys., 2013. 525(6): p. 437-442. Zolot, A.M., et al., Opt. Lett., 2012. 37(4): p. 638-640.

Radiation imaging with optically read out GEM-based detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunbauer, F. M.; Lupberger, M.; Oliveri, E.; Resnati, F.; Ropelewski, L.; Streli, C.; Thuiner, P.; van Stenis, M.

2018-02-01

Modern imaging sensors allow for high granularity optical readout of radiation detectors such as MicroPattern Gaseous Detectors (MPGDs). Taking advantage of the high signal amplification factors achievable by MPGD technologies such as Gaseous Electron Multipliers (GEMs), highly sensitive detectors can be realised and employing gas mixtures with strong scintillation yield in the visible wavelength regime, optical readout of such detectors can provide high-resolution event representations. Applications from X-ray imaging to fluoroscopy and tomography profit from the good spatial resolution of optical readout and the possibility to obtain images without the need for extensive reconstruction. Sensitivity to low-energy X-rays and energy resolution permit energy resolved imaging and material distinction in X-ray fluorescence measurements. Additionally, the low material budget of gaseous detectors and the possibility to couple scintillation light to imaging sensors via fibres or mirrors makes optically read out GEMs an ideal candidate for beam monitoring detectors in high energy physics as well as radiotherapy. We present applications and achievements of optically read out GEM-based detectors including high spatial resolution imaging and X-ray fluorescence measurements as an alternative readout approach for MPGDs. A detector concept for low intensity applications such as X-ray crystallography, which maximises detection efficiency with a thick conversion region but mitigates parallax-induced broadening is presented and beam monitoring capabilities of optical readout are explored. Augmenting high resolution 2D projections of particle tracks obtained with optical readout with timing information from fast photon detectors or transparent anodes for charge readout, 3D reconstruction of particle trajectories can be performed and permits the realisation of optically read out time projection chambers. Combining readily available high performance imaging sensors with compatible scintillating gases and the strong signal amplification factors achieved by MPGDs makes optical readout an attractive alternative to the common concept of electronic readout of radiation detectors. Outstanding signal-to-noise ratios and robustness against electronic noise allow unprecedented imaging capabilities for various applications in fields ranging from high energy physics to medical instrumentation.

Automatic optimization high-speed high-resolution OCT retinal imaging at 1μm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cua, Michelle; Liu, Xiyun; Miao, Dongkai; Lee, Sujin; Lee, Sieun; Bonora, Stefano; Zawadzki, Robert J.; Mackenzie, Paul J.; Jian, Yifan; Sarunic, Marinko V.

2015-03-01

High-resolution OCT retinal imaging is important in providing visualization of various retinal structures to aid researchers in better understanding the pathogenesis of vision-robbing diseases. However, conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems have a trade-off between lateral resolution and depth-of-focus. In this report, we present the development of a focus-stacking optical coherence tomography (OCT) system with automatic optimization for high-resolution, extended-focal-range clinical retinal imaging. A variable-focus liquid lens was added to correct for de-focus in real-time. A GPU-accelerated segmentation and optimization was used to provide real-time layer-specific enface visualization as well as depth-specific focus adjustment. After optimization, multiple volumes focused at different depths were acquired, registered, and stitched together to yield a single, high-resolution focus-stacked dataset. Using this system, we show high-resolution images of the ONH, from which we extracted clinically-relevant parameters such as the nerve fiber layer thickness and lamina cribrosa microarchitecture.

Emerging fiber optic endomicroscopy technologies towards noninvasive real-time visualization of histology in situ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xi, Jiefeng; Zhang, Yuying; Huo, Li; Chen, Yongping; Jabbour, Toufic; Li, Ming-Jun; Li, Xingde

2010-09-01

This paper reviews our recent developments of ultrathin fiber-optic endomicroscopy technologies for transforming high-resolution noninvasive optical imaging techniques to in vivo and clinical applications such as early disease detection and guidance of interventions. Specifically we describe an all-fiber-optic scanning endomicroscopy technology, which miniaturizes a conventional bench-top scanning laser microscope down to a flexible fiber-optic probe of a small footprint (i.e. ~2-2.5 mm in diameter), capable of performing two-photon fluorescence and second harmonic generation microscopy in real time. This technology aims to enable realtime visualization of histology in situ without the need for tissue removal. We will also present a balloon OCT endoscopy technology which permits high-resolution 3D imaging of the entire esophagus for detection of neoplasia, guidance of biopsy and assessment of therapeutic outcome. In addition we will discuss the development of functional polymeric fluorescent nanocapsules, which use only FAD approved materials and potentially enable fast track clinical translation of optical molecular imaging and targeted therapy.

Optical delay encoding for fast timing and detector signal multiplexing in PET

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grant, Alexander M.; Levin, Craig S., E-mail: cslevin@stanford.edu; Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford

2015-08-15

Purpose: The large number of detector channels in modern positron emission tomography (PET) scanners poses a challenge in terms of readout electronics complexity. Multiplexing schemes are typically implemented to reduce the number of physical readout channels, but often result in performance degradation. Novel methods of multiplexing in PET must be developed to avoid this data degradation. The preservation of fast timing information is especially important for time-of-flight PET. Methods: A new multiplexing scheme based on encoding detector interaction events with a series of extremely fast overlapping optical pulses with precise delays is demonstrated in this work. Encoding events in thismore » way potentially allows many detector channels to be simultaneously encoded onto a single optical fiber that is then read out by a single digitizer. A two channel silicon photomultiplier-based prototype utilizing this optical delay encoding technique along with dual threshold time-over-threshold is demonstrated. Results: The optical encoding and multiplexing prototype achieves a coincidence time resolution of 160 ps full width at half maximum (FWHM) and an energy resolution of 13.1% FWHM at 511 keV with 3 × 3 × 5 mm{sup 3} LYSO crystals. All interaction information for both detectors, including timing, energy, and channel identification, is encoded onto a single optical fiber with little degradation. Conclusions: Optical delay encoding and multiplexing technology could lead to time-of-flight PET scanners with fewer readout channels and simplified data acquisition systems.« less

Spectral optical coherence tomography for ophthalmologic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Targowski, Piotr; Bajraszewski, Tomasz; Gorczyńska, Iwona; Szkulmowska, Anna; Szkulmowski, Maciej; Wojtkowski, Maciej; Kowalczyk, Andrzej; Kaluzny, Jakub J.; Kaluzny, Bartłomiej J.

2006-09-01

The overview of the Spectral Optical Coherence Tomography an alternative method to more popular Time domain modality is given. Examples from medical practice utilizing high resolution, ultra fast SOCT device are presented.

Few-femtosecond-resolution characterization and suppression of excess timing jitter and drift in indoor atmospheric frequency comb transfer.

PubMed

Kang, Jinho; Shin, Junho; Kim, Chur; Jung, Kwangyun; Park, Suhyeon; Kim, Jungwon

2014-10-20

We characterize the timing jitter spectral density of the time-of-flight (TOF) in the indoor atmospheric transfer of optical pulse train over 10 decades of Fourier frequency range (10 μHz - 100 kHz) with sub-100-as resolution using a balanced optical cross-correlator (BOC). Based on the well-known theory for atmospheric transfer of a laser beam, we could fit the measured timing jitter power spectral density to the theory and analyze it with a fairly good agreement from 20 mHz to 10 Hz Fourier frequency range. Moreover, we demonstrate that the BOC-based timing stabilization method can suppress the excess fluctuations in timing from >200 fs (rms) to 2.6 fs (rms) maintained over 130 hours when an optical pulse train is transferred over a 76.2-m long free-space beam path in laboratory environment. The demonstrated stabilization result corresponds to 4 × 10(-20) overlapping Allan deviation at 117,000 s averaging time.

Reflective optical imaging system for extreme ultraviolet wavelengths

DOEpatents

Viswanathan, Vriddhachalam K.; Newnam, Brian E.

1993-01-01

A projection reflection optical system has two mirrors in a coaxial, four reflection configuration to reproduce the image of an object. The mirrors have spherical reflection surfaces to provide a very high resolution of object feature wavelengths less than 200 .mu.m, and preferably less than 100 .mu.m. An image resolution of features less than 0.05-0.1 .mu.m, is obtained over a large area field; i.e., 25.4 mm .times.25.4 mm, with a distortion less than 0.1 of the resolution over the image field.

Reflective optical imaging system for extreme ultraviolet wavelengths

DOEpatents

Viswanathan, V.K.; Newnam, B.E.

1993-05-18

A projection reflection optical system has two mirrors in a coaxial, four reflection configuration to reproduce the image of an object. The mirrors have spherical reflection surfaces to provide a very high resolution of object feature wavelengths less than 200 [mu]m, and preferably less than 100 [mu]m. An image resolution of features less than 0.05-0.1 [mu]m, is obtained over a large area field; i.e., 25.4 mm [times] 25.4 mm, with a distortion less than 0.1 of the resolution over the image field.

Distributed fiber optic vibration sensor with enhanced response bandwidth and high signal-to-noise ratio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Dian; Liu, Qingwen; Fan, Xinyu; He, Zuyuan

2017-04-01

A novel distributed fiber-optic vibration sensor (DVS) is proposed based on multi-pulse time-gated digital optical frequency domain reflectometry (TGD-OFDR), which can solve both the trade-off between the maximum measurable distance and the spatial resolution, and the one between the measurement distance and the vibration response bandwidth. A 21-kHz vibration is detected experimentally over 10-kilometer-long fiber, with a signal-to-noise ratio approaching 25 dB and a spatial resolution of 10 m.

RESOLFT nanoscopy with photoswitchable organic fluorophores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Jiwoong; Hwang, Jihee; Park, Jaewan; Han, Gi Rim; Han, Kyu Young; Kim, Seong Keun

2015-12-01

Far-field optical nanoscopy has been widely used to image small objects with sub-diffraction-limit spatial resolution. Particularly, reversible saturable optical fluorescence transition (RESOLFT) nanoscopy with photoswitchable fluorescent proteins is a powerful method for super-resolution imaging of living cells with low light intensity. Here we demonstrate for the first time the implementation of RESOLFT nanoscopy for a biological system using organic fluorophores, which are smaller in size and easier to be chemically modified. With a covalently-linked dye pair of Cy3 and Alexa647 to label subcellular structures in fixed cells and by optimizing the imaging buffer and optical parameters, our RESOLFT nanoscopy achieved a spatial resolution of ~74 nm in the focal plane. This method provides a powerful alternative for low light intensity RESOLFT nanoscopy, which enables biological imaging with small organic probes at nanoscale resolution.

Upgrading and testing program for narrow band high resolution planetary IR imaging spectrometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wattson, R. B.; Rappaport, S.

1977-01-01

An imaging spectrometer, intended primarily for observations of the outer planets, which utilizes an acoustically tuned optical filter (ATOF) and a charge coupled device (CCD) television camera was modified to improve spatial resolution and sensitivity. The upgraded instrument was a spatial resolving power of approximately 1 arc second, as defined by an f/7 beam at the CCD position and it has this resolution over the 50 arc second field of view. Less vignetting occurs and sensitivity is four times greater. The spectral resolution of 15 A over the wavelength interval 6500 A - 11,000 A is unchanged. Mechanical utility has been increased by the use of a honeycomb optical table, mechanically rigid yet adjustable optical component mounts, and a camera focus translation stage. The upgraded instrument was used to observe Venus and Saturn.

3D near-infrared imaging based on a single-photon avalanche diode array sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mata Pavia, Juan; Wolf, Martin; Charbon, Edoardo

2012-10-01

Near-infrared light can be used to determine the optical properties (absorption and scattering) of human tissue. Optical tomography uses this principle to image the internal structure of parts of the body by measuring the light that is scattered in the tissue. An imager for optical tomography was designed based on a detector with 128x128 single photon pixels that included a bank of 32 time-to-digital converters. Due to the high spatial resolution and the possibility of performing time resolved measurements, a new contactless setup has been conceived. The setup has a resolution of 97ps and operates with a laser source with an average power of 3mW. This new setup generated an high amount of data that could not be processed by established methods, therefore new concepts and algorithms were developed to take advantage of it. Simulations show that the potential resolution of the new setup would be much higher than previous designs. Measurements have been performed showing its potential. Images derived from the measurements showed that it is possible to reach a resolution of at least 5mm.

Study on the weighing system based on optical fiber Bragg grating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiaona; Yu, Qingxu; Li, Yefang

2010-10-01

The optical fiber sensor based on wavelength demodulation such as fiber Bragg grating(FBG), with merits of immunity to electromagnetic interference, low drift and high precision, has been widely used in many areas, such as structural health monitoring and smart materials, and the wavelength demodulation system was also studied widely. In the paper, a weighing system based on FBG was studied. The optical source is broadband Erbium-doped fiber ring laser with a spectral range of 1500~1600nm and optical power of 2mW; A Fabry-Perot Etalon with orientation precision of 1pm was adopted as real-time wavelength calibration for the swept laser; and multichannel high resolution simultaneous sampling card was used in the system to acquire sensing signals simultaneously, thus high-resolution and real-time calibration of sweep-wavelength can be achieved. The FBG was adhered to a cantilever beam and the Bragg wavelength was demodulated with the system. The weighing system was done after calibrated with standard weight. Experimental results show that the resolution of the weighing system is 0.5 g with a full scale of 2Kg.

Active x-ray optics for Generation-X, the next high resolution x-ray observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elvis, Martin; Brissenden, R. J.; Fabbiano, G.; Schwartz, D. A.; Reid, P.; Podgorski, W.; Eisenhower, M.; Juda, M.; Phillips, J.; Cohen, L.; Wolk, S.

2006-06-01

X-rays provide one of the few bands through which we can study the epoch of reionization, when the first galaxies, black holes and stars were born. To reach the sensitivity required to image these first discrete objects in the universe needs a major advance in X-ray optics. Generation-X (Gen-X) is currently the only X-ray astronomy mission concept that addresses this goal. Gen-X aims to improve substantially on the Chandra angular resolution and to do so with substantially larger effective area. These two goals can only be met if a mirror technology can be developed that yields high angular resolution at much lower mass/unit area than the Chandra optics, matching that of Constellation-X (Con-X). We describe an approach to this goal based on active X-ray optics that correct the mid-frequency departures from an ideal Wolter optic on-orbit. We concentrate on the problems of sensing figure errors, calculating the corrections required, and applying those corrections. The time needed to make this in-flight calibration is reasonable. A laboratory version of these optics has already been developed by others and is successfully operating at synchrotron light sources. With only a moderate investment in these optics the goals of Gen-X resolution can be realized.

Three-dimensional Optical Coherence Tomography for Optical Biopsy of Lymph Nodes and Assessment of Metastatic Disease

PubMed Central

John, Renu; Adie, Steven G.; Chaney, Eric J.; Marjanovic, Marina; Tangella, Krishnarao V.; Boppart, Stephen A.

2013-01-01

Background Numerous techniques have been developed for localizing lymph nodes before surgical resection and for their histological assessment. Nondestructive high-resolution transcapsule optical imaging of lymph nodes offers the potential for in situ assessment of metastatic involvement, potentially during surgical procedures. Methods Three-dimensional optical coherence tomography (3-D OCT) was used for imaging and assessing resected popliteal lymph nodes from a preclinical rat metastatic tumor model over a 9-day time-course study after tumor induction. The spectral-domain OCT system utilized a center wavelength of 800 nm, provided axial and transverse resolutions of 3 and 12 µm, respectively, and performed imaging at 10,000 axial scans per second. Results OCT is capable of providing high-resolution labelfree images of intact lymph node microstructure based on intrinsic optical scattering properties with penetration depths of ~1–2 mm. The results demonstrate that OCT is capable of differentiating normal, reactive, and metastatic lymph nodes based on microstructural changes. The optical scattering and structural changes revealed by OCT from day 3 to day 9 after the injection of tumor cells into the lymphatic system correlate with inflammatory and immunological changes observed in the capsule, precortical regions, follicles, and germination centers found during histopathology. Conclusions We report for the first time a longitudinal study of 3-D transcapsule OCT imaging of intact lymph nodes demonstrating microstructural changes during metastatic infiltration. These results demonstrate the potential of OCT as a technique for intraoperative, real-time in situ 3-D optical biopsy of lymph nodes for the intraoperative staging of cancer. PMID:22688663

Non-interferometric deep optical resolution photoacoustic remote sensing microscopy (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

HajiReza, Parsin H.; Bell, Kevan L.; Shi, Wei; Zemp, Roger J.

2017-03-01

A novel all-optical non-contact photoacoustic microscopy system is introduced. The confocal configuration is used to ensure detection of initial pressure shock wave-induced intensity reflections at the subsurface origin where pressures are largest. Phantom studies confirm signal dependence on optical absorption, index-contrast, and excitation fluence. Taking advantage of a focused1310 nm interrogation beam, the penetration depth of the system is improved to 2mm for an optical resolution system. High signal-to-noise ratios (>60dB) with 2.5 cm working distance from the objective lens to the sample is achieved. Real-time in-vivo imaging of microvasculature and melanoma tumors are demonstrated.

In vivo fiber-optic confocal reflectance microscope with an injection-molded plastic miniature objective lens.

PubMed

Carlson, Kristen; Chidley, Matthew; Sung, Kung-Bin; Descour, Michael; Gillenwater, Ann; Follen, Michele; Richards-Kortum, Rebecca

2005-04-01

For in vivo optical diagnostic technologies to be distributed to the developed and developing worlds, optical imaging systems must be constructed of inexpensive components. We present a fiber-optic confocal reflectance microscope with a cost-effective injection-molded plastic miniature objective lens for in vivo imaging of human tissues in near real time. The measured lateral resolution is less than 2.2 microm, and the measured axial resolution is 10 microm. Confocal images of ex vivo cervical tissue biopsies and in vivo human lip taken at 15 frames/s demonstrate the microscope's capability of imaging cell morphology and tissue architecture.

Optical imaging modalities: From design to diagnosis of skin cancer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korde, Vrushali Raj

This study investigates three high resolution optical imaging modalities to better detect and diagnose skin cancer. The ideal high resolution optical imaging system can visualize pre-malignant tissue growth non-invasively with resolution comparable to histology. I examined 3 modalities which approached this goal. The first method examined was high magnification microscopy of thin stained tissue sections, together with a statistical analysis of nuclear chromatin patterns termed Karyometry. This method has subcellular resolution, but it necessitates taking a biopsy at the desired tissue site and imaging the tissue ex-vivo. My part of this study was to develop an automated nuclear segmentation algorithm to segment cell nuclei in skin histology images for karyometric analysis. The results of this algorithm were compared to hand segmented cell nuclei in the same images, and it was concluded that the automated segmentations can be used for karyometric analysis. The second optical imaging modality I investigated was Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). OCT is analogous to ultrasound, in which sound waves are delivered into the body and the echo time and reflected signal magnitude are measured. Due to the fast speed of light and detector temporal integration times, low coherence interferometry is needed to gate the backscattered light. OCT acquires cross sectional images, and has an axial resolution of 1-15 mum (depending on the source bandwidth) and a lateral resolution of 10-20 mum (depending on the sample arm optics). While it is not capable of achieving subcellular resolution, it is a non-invasive imaging modality. OCT was used in this study to evaluate skin along a continuum from normal to sun damaged to precancer. I developed algorithms to detect statistically significant differences between images of sun protected and sun damaged skin, as well as between undiseased and precancerous skin. An Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) endoscope was developed in the third portion of this study. OCM is a high resolution en-face imaging modality. It is a hybrid system that combines the principles of confocal microscopy with coherence gating to provide an increased imaging depth. It can also be described as an OCT system with a high NA objective. Similar to OCT, the axial resolution is determined by the source center wavelength and bandwidth. The NA of the sample arm optics determines the lateral resolution, usually on the order of 1-5 mum. My effort on this system was to develop a handheld endoscope. To my knowledge, an OCM endoscope has not been developed prior to this work. An image of skin was taken as a proof of concept. This rigid handheld OCM endoscope will be useful for applications ranging from minimally invasive surgical imaging to non-invasively assessing dysplasia and sun damage in skin.

TH-EF-207A-06: High-Resolution Optical-CT/ECT Imaging of Unstained Mice Femur, Brain, Spleen, and Tumor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yoon, S; Dewhirst, M; Oldham, M

2016-06-15

Purpose: Optical transmission and emission computed tomography (optical-CT/ECT) provides high-resolution 3D attenuation and emission maps in unsectioned large (∼1cm{sup 3}) ex vivo tissue samples at a resolution of 12.9µm{sup 3} per voxel. Here we apply optical-CT/ECT to investigate high-resolution structure and auto-fluorescence in a range of optically cleared mice organs, including, for the first time, mouse bone (femur), opening the potential for study of bone metastasis and bone-mediated immune response. Methods: Three BALBc mice containing 4T1 flank tumors were sacrificed to obtain spleen, brain, tumor, and femur. Tissues were washed in 4% PFA, fixed in EtOH solution (for 5, 10,more » 10, and 2 days respectively), and then optically cleared for 3 days in BABBs. The femur was also placed in 0.25M aqueous EDTA for 15–30 days to remove calcium. Optical-CT/ECT attenuation and emission maps at 633nm (the latter using 530nm excitation light) were obtained for all samples. Bi-telecentric optical-CT was compared side-by-side with conventional optical projection tomography (OPT) imaging to evaluate imaging capability of these two rival techniques. Results: Auto-fluorescence mapping of femurs reveals vasculatures and fluorescence heterogeneity. High signals (A.U.=10) are reported in the medullary cavity but not in the cortical bone (A.U.=1). The brain strongly and uniform auto-fluoresces (A.U.=5). Thick, optically dense organs such as the spleen and the tumor (0.12, 0.46OD/mm) are reconstructed at depth without significant loss of resolution, which we attribute to the bi-telecentric optics of optical-CT. The attenuation map of tumor reveals vasculature, attenuation heterogeneity, and possibly necrotic tissue. Conclusion: We demonstrate the feasibility of optical-CT/ECT imaging of un-sectioned mice bones (femurs) and spleen with high resolution. This result, and the characterization of unstained organs, are important steps enabling future studies involving optical-CT/ECT applied to study metastasis and immunologic responses via fluorescence staining.« less

VISAR Analysis in the Frequency Domain

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dolan, D. H.; Specht, P.

2017-05-18

VISAR measurements are typically analyzed in the time domain, where velocity is approximately proportional to fringe shift. Moving to the frequency domain clarifies the limitations of this approximation and suggests several improvements. For example, optical dispersion preserves high-frequency information, so a zero-dispersion (air delay) interferometer does not provide optimal time resolution. Combined VISAR measurements can also improve time resolution. With adequate bandwidth and reasonable noise levels, it is quite possible to achieve better resolution than the VISAR approximation allows.

Computational adaptive optics for broadband optical interferometric tomography of biological tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boppart, Stephen A.

2015-03-01

High-resolution real-time tomography of biological tissues is important for many areas of biological investigations and medical applications. Cellular level optical tomography, however, has been challenging because of the compromise between transverse imaging resolution and depth-of-field, the system and sample aberrations that may be present, and the low imaging sensitivity deep in scattering tissues. The use of computed optical imaging techniques has the potential to address several of these long-standing limitations and challenges. Two related techniques are interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy (ISAM) and computational adaptive optics (CAO). Through three-dimensional Fourierdomain resampling, in combination with high-speed OCT, ISAM can be used to achieve high-resolution in vivo tomography with enhanced depth sensitivity over a depth-of-field extended by more than an order-of-magnitude, in realtime. Subsequently, aberration correction with CAO can be performed in a tomogram, rather than to the optical beam of a broadband optical interferometry system. Based on principles of Fourier optics, aberration correction with CAO is performed on a virtual pupil using Zernike polynomials, offering the potential to augment or even replace the more complicated and expensive adaptive optics hardware with algorithms implemented on a standard desktop computer. Interferometric tomographic reconstructions are characterized with tissue phantoms containing sub-resolution scattering particles, and in both ex vivo and in vivo biological tissue. This review will collectively establish the foundation for high-speed volumetric cellular-level optical interferometric tomography in living tissues.

Imaging the small animal cardiovascular system in real-time with multispectral optoacoustic tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taruttis, Adrian; Herzog, Eva; Razansky, Daniel; Ntziachristos, Vasilis

2011-03-01

Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) is an emerging technique for high resolution macroscopic imaging with optical and molecular contrast. We present cardiovascular imaging results from a multi-element real-time MSOT system recently developed for studies on small animals. Anatomical features relevant to cardiovascular disease, such as the carotid arteries, the aorta and the heart, are imaged in mice. The system's fast acquisition time, in tens of microseconds, allows images free of motion artifacts from heartbeat and respiration. Additionally, we present in-vivo detection of optical imaging agents, gold nanorods, at high spatial and temporal resolution, paving the way for molecular imaging applications.

Ultrafast all-optical imaging technique using low-temperature grown GaAs/AlxGa1 - xAs multiple-quantum-well semiconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Guilong; Tian, Jinshou; Wang, Tao; He, Kai; Zhang, Chunmin; Zhang, Jun; Chen, Shaorong; Jia, Hui; Yuan, Fenfang; Liang, Lingliang; Yan, Xin; Li, Shaohui; Wang, Chao; Yin, Fei

2017-11-01

We report and experimentally demonstrate an ultrafast all-optical imaging technique capable of single-shot ultrafast recording with a picosecond-scale temporal resolution and a micron-order two-dimensional spatial resolution. A GaAs/AlxGa1 - xAs multiple-quantum-well (MQW) semiconductor with a picosecond response time, grown using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) at a low temperature (LT), is used for the first time in ultrafast imaging technology. The semiconductor transforms the signal beam information to the probe beam, the birefringent delay crystal time-serializes the input probe beam, and the beam displacer maps different polarization probe beams onto different detector locations, resulting in two frames with an approximately 9 ps temporal separation and approximately 25 lp/mm spatial resolution in the visible range.

Gabor domain optical coherence microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murali, Supraja

Time domain Optical Coherence Tomography (TD-OCT), first reported in 1991, makes use of the low temporal coherence properties of a NIR broadband laser to create depth sectioning of up to 2mm under the surface using optical interferometry and point to point scanning. Prior and ongoing work in OCT in the research community has concentrated on improving axial resolution through the development of broadband sources and speed of image acquisition through new techniques such as Spectral domain OCT (SD-OCT). In SD-OCT, an entire depth scan is acquired at once with a low numerical aperture (NA) objective lens focused at a fixed point within the sample. In this imaging geometry, a longer depth of focus is achieved at the expense of lateral resolution, which is typically limited to 10 to 20 mum. Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM), introduced in 1994, combined the advantages of high axial resolution obtained in OCT with high lateral resolution obtained by increasing the NA of the microscope placed in the sample arm. However, OCM presented trade-offs caused by the inverse quadratic relationship between the NA and the DOF of the optics used. For applications requiring high lateral resolution, such as cancer diagnostics, several solutions have been proposed including the periodic manual re-focusing of the objective lens in the time domain as well as the spectral domain C-mode configuration in order to overcome the loss in lateral resolution outside the DOF. In this research, we report for the first time, high speed, sub-cellular imaging (lateral resolution of 2 mum) in OCM using a Gabor domain image processing algorithm with a custom designed and fabricated dynamic focus microscope interfaced to a Ti:Sa femtosecond laser centered at 800 nm within an SD-OCM configuration. It is envisioned that this technology will provide a non-invasive replacement for the current practice of multiple biopsies for skin cancer diagnosis. The research reported here presents three important advances to this technology all of which have been demonstrated in full functional hardware conceived and built during the course of this research. First, it has been demonstrated that the coherence gate created by the femtosecond laser can be coupled into a scanning optical microscope using optical design methods to include liquid lens technology that enables scanning below the surface of skin with no moving parts and at high resolution throughout a 2x2x2 mm imaging cube. Second, the integration the variable-focus liquid lens technology within a fixed-optics microscope custom optical design helped increase the working NA by an order of magnitude over the limitation imposed by the liquid lens alone. Thus, this design has enabled homogenous axial and lateral resolution at the micron-level (i.e., 2 mum) while imaging in the spectral domain, and still maintaining in vivo speeds. The latest images in biological specimens clearly demonstrate sub-cellular resolution in all dimensions throughout the imaging volume. Third, this new modality for data collection has been integrated with an automated Gabor domain image registration and fusion algorithm to provide full resolution images across the data cube in real-time. We refer to this overall OCM method as Gabor domain OCM (GD-OCM). These advantages place GD-OCM in a unique position with respect to the diagnosis of cancer, because when fully developed, it promises to enable fast and accurate screening for early symptoms that could lead to prevention. The next step for this technology is to apply it directly, in a clinical environment. This step is underway and is expected to be reported by the next generation of researchers within this group.

A Sub-ps Stability Time Transfer Method Based on Optical Modems.

PubMed

Frank, Florian; Stefani, Fabio; Tuckey, Philip; Pottie, Paul-Eric

2018-06-01

Coherent optical fiber links recently demonstrate their ability to compare the most advanced optical clocks over a continental scale. The outstanding performances of the optical clocks are stimulating the community to build much more stable time scales, and to develop the means to compare them. Optical fiber link is one solution that needs to be explored. Here, we are investigating a new method to transfer time based on an optical demodulation of a phase step imprint onto the optical carrier. We show the implementation of a proof-of-principle experiment over 86-km urban fiber, and report time interval transfer stability of 1 pulse per second signal with sub-ps resolution from 10 s to one day of measurement time. Prospects for future development and implementation in active telecommunication networks, not only regarding performance but also compatibility, conclude this paper.

Automatic optical inspection of regular grid patterns with an inspection camera used below the Shannon-Nyquist criterion for optical resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferreira, Flávio P.; Forte, Paulo M. F.; Felgueiras, Paulo E. R.; Bret, Boris P. J.; Belsley, Michael S.; Nunes-Pereira, Eduardo J.

2017-02-01

An Automatic Optical Inspection (AOI) system for optical inspection of imaging devices used in automotive industry using an inspecting optics of lower spatial resolution than the device under inspection is described. This system is robust and with no moving parts. The cycle time is small. Its main advantage is that it is capable of detecting and quantifying defects in regular patterns, working below the Shannon-Nyquist criterion for optical resolution, using a single low resolution image sensor. It is easily scalable, which is an important advantage in industrial applications, since the same inspecting sensor can be reused for increasingly higher spatial resolutions of the devices to be inspected. The optical inspection is implemented with a notch multi-band Fourier filter, making the procedure especially fitted for regular patterns, like the ones that can be produced in image displays and Head Up Displays (HUDs). The regular patterns are used in production line only, for inspection purposes. For image displays, functional defects are detected at the level of a sub-image display grid element unit. Functional defects are the ones impairing the function of the display, and are preferred in AOI to the direct geometric imaging, since those are the ones directly related with the end-user experience. The shift in emphasis from geometric imaging to functional imaging is critical, since it is this that allows quantitative inspection, below Shannon-Nyquist. For HUDs, the functional detect detection addresses defects resulting from the combined effect of the image display and the image forming optics.

High spatial resolution distributed fiber system for multi-parameter sensing based on modulated pulses.

PubMed

Zhang, Jingdong; Zhu, Tao; Zhou, Huan; Huang, Shihong; Liu, Min; Huang, Wei

2016-11-28

We demonstrate a cost-effective distributed fiber sensing system for the multi-parameter detection of the vibration, the temperature, and the strain by integrating phase-sensitive optical time domain reflectometry (φ-OTDR) and Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry (B-OTDR). Taking advantage of the fast changing property of the vibration and the static properties of the temperature and the strain, both the width and intensity of the laser pulses are modulated and injected into the single-mode sensing fiber proportionally, so that three concerned parameters can be extracted simultaneously by only one photo-detector and one data acquisition channel. A data processing method based on Gaussian window short time Fourier transform (G-STFT) is capable of achieving high spatial resolution in B-OTDR. The experimental results show that up to 4.8kHz vibration sensing with 3m spatial resolution at 10km standard single-mode fiber can be realized, as well as the distributed temperature and stress profiles along the same fiber with 80cm spatial resolution.

Distributed fiber optical sensing of oxygen with optical time domain reflectometry.

PubMed

Eich, Susanne; Schmälzlin, Elmar; Löhmannsröben, Hans-Gerd

2013-05-31

In many biological and environmental applications spatially resolved sensing of molecular oxygen is desirable. A powerful tool for distributed measurements is optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) which is often used in the field of telecommunications. We combine this technique with a novel optical oxygen sensor dye, triangular-[4] phenylene (TP), immobilized in a polymer matrix. The TP luminescence decay time is 86 ns. The short decay time of the sensor dye is suitable to achieve a spatial resolution of some meters. In this paper we present the development and characterization of a reflectometer in the UV range of the electromagnetic spectrum as well as optical oxygen sensing with different fiber arrangements.

Distributed Fiber Optical Sensing of Oxygen with Optical Time Domain Reflectometry

PubMed Central

Eich, Susanne; Schmälzlin, Elmar; Löhmannsröben, Hans-Gerd

2013-01-01

In many biological and environmental applications spatially resolved sensing of molecular oxygen is desirable. A powerful tool for distributed measurements is optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) which is often used in the field of telecommunications. We combine this technique with a novel optical oxygen sensor dye, triangular-[4] phenylene (TP), immobilized in a polymer matrix. The TP luminescence decay time is 86 ns. The short decay time of the sensor dye is suitable to achieve a spatial resolution of some meters. In this paper we present the development and characterization of a reflectometer in the UV range of the electromagnetic spectrum as well as optical oxygen sensing with different fiber arrangements. PMID:23727953

Optoelectronic frequency discriminated phase tuning technology and its applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Gong-Ru; Chang, Yung-Cheng

2000-07-01

By using a phase-tunable optoelectronic phase-locked loop, we are able to continuously change the phase as well as the delay-time of optically distributed microwave clock signals or optical pulse train. The advantages of the proposed technique include such as wide-band operation up to 20GHz, wide-range tuning up to 640 degrees, high tuning resolution of <6x10-2 degree/mV, ultra-low short-term phase fluctuation and drive of 4.7x10-2 degree and 3.4x10- 3 degree/min, good linearity with acceptable deviations, and frequency-independent transferred function with slope of nearly 90 degrees/volt, etc. The novel optoelectronic phase shifter is performed by using a DC-voltage controlled, optoelectronic-mixer-based, frequency-down-converted digital phase-locked-loop. The maximum delay-time is continuously tunable up to 3.9 ns for optical pulses repeated at 500 MHz from a gain-switched laser diode. This corresponds to a delay responsivity of about 0.54 ps/mV. The using of the OEPS as being an optoelectronic delay-time controller for optical pulses is demonstrated with temporal resolution of <0.2 ps. Electro-optic sampling of high-frequency microwave signals by using the in-situ delay-time-tunable pulsed laser as a novel optical probe is primarily reported.

Coherence Conversion for Optimized Resolution in Optical Measurements - Example of Femtosecond Time Resolution Using the Transverse Coherence of 100-Picosecond X-Rays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adams, Bernhard W.

2015-01-01

A way is proposed to obtain a femtosecond time resolution over a picosecond range in x-ray spectroscopic measurements where the light source and the detector are much slower than that. It is based on the invariance of the modulus of the Fourier transform to object translations. The method geometrically correlates time in the sample with x-ray amplitudes over a spatial coordinate, and then takes the optical Fourier transform through far-field diffraction. Thus, explicitly time-invariant intensities that encode the time evolution of the sample can be measured with a slow detector. This corresponds to a phase-space transformation that converts the transversemore » coherence to become effective in the longitudinal direction. Because synchrotron-radiation sources have highly anisotropic coherence properties with about $10^5$ longitudinal electromagnetic-field modes at 1 eV bandwidth, but only tens to hundreds transverse modes, coherence conversion can drastically improve the time resolution. Reconstruction of the femtosecond time evolution in the sample from the Fourier intensities is subject to a phase ambiguity that is well-known in crystallography. However, a way is presented to resolve it that is not available in that discipline. Finally, data from a demonstration experiment are presented. The same concept can be used to obtain attosecond time resolution with an x-ray free-electron laser.« less

Optical information-processing systems and architectures II; Proceedings of the Meeting, San Diego, CA, July 9-13, 1990

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Javidi, Bahram

The present conference discusses topics in the fields of neural networks, acoustooptic signal processing, pattern recognition, phase-only processing, nonlinear signal processing, image processing, optical computing, and optical information processing. Attention is given to the optical implementation of an inner-product neural associative memory, optoelectronic associative recall via motionless-head/parallel-readout optical disk, a compact real-time acoustooptic image correlator, a multidimensional synthetic estimation filter, and a light-efficient joint transform optical correlator. Also discussed are a high-resolution spatial light modulator, compact real-time interferometric Fourier-transform processors, a fast decorrelation algorithm for permutation arrays, the optical interconnection of optical modules, and carry-free optical binary adders.

Optimal arrangements of fiber optic probes to enhance the spatial resolution in depth for 3D reflectance diffuse optical tomography with time-resolved measurements performed with fast-gated single-photon avalanche diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puszka, Agathe; Di Sieno, Laura; Dalla Mora, Alberto; Pifferi, Antonio; Contini, Davide; Boso, Gianluca; Tosi, Alberto; Hervé, Lionel; Planat-Chrétien, Anne; Koenig, Anne; Dinten, Jean-Marc

2014-02-01

Fiber optic probes with a width limited to a few centimeters can enable diffuse optical tomography (DOT) in intern organs like the prostate or facilitate the measurements on extern organs like the breast or the brain. We have recently shown on 2D tomographic images that time-resolved measurements with a large dynamic range obtained with fast-gated single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) could push forward the imaged depth range in a diffusive medium at short source-detector separation compared with conventional non-gated approaches. In this work, we confirm these performances with the first 3D tomographic images reconstructed with such a setup and processed with the Mellin- Laplace transform. More precisely, we investigate the performance of hand-held probes with short interfiber distances in terms of spatial resolution and specifically demonstrate the interest of having a compact probe design featuring small source-detector separations. We compare the spatial resolution obtained with two probes having the same design but different scale factors, the first one featuring only interfiber distances of 15 mm and the second one, 10 mm. We evaluate experimentally the spatial resolution obtained with each probe on the setup with fast-gated SPADs for optical phantoms featuring two absorbing inclusions positioned at different depths and conclude on the potential of short source-detector separations for DOT.

Super-resolution photon-efficient imaging by nanometric double-helix point spread function localization of emitters (SPINDLE)

PubMed Central

Grover, Ginni; DeLuca, Keith; Quirin, Sean; DeLuca, Jennifer; Piestun, Rafael

2012-01-01

Super-resolution imaging with photo-activatable or photo-switchable probes is a promising tool in biological applications to reveal previously unresolved intra-cellular details with visible light. This field benefits from developments in the areas of molecular probes, optical systems, and computational post-processing of the data. The joint design of optics and reconstruction processes using double-helix point spread functions (DH-PSF) provides high resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging over a long depth-of-field. We demonstrate for the first time a method integrating a Fisher information efficient DH-PSF design, a surface relief optical phase mask, and an optimal 3D localization estimator. 3D super-resolution imaging using photo-switchable dyes reveals the 3D microtubule network in mammalian cells with localization precision approaching the information theoretical limit over a depth of 1.2 µm. PMID:23187521

Guide-star-based computational adaptive optics for broadband interferometric tomography

PubMed Central

Adie, Steven G.; Shemonski, Nathan D.; Graf, Benedikt W.; Ahmad, Adeel; Scott Carney, P.; Boppart, Stephen A.

2012-01-01

We present a method for the numerical correction of optical aberrations based on indirect sensing of the scattered wavefront from point-like scatterers (“guide stars”) within a three-dimensional broadband interferometric tomogram. This method enables the correction of high-order monochromatic and chromatic aberrations utilizing guide stars that are revealed after numerical compensation of defocus and low-order aberrations of the optical system. Guide-star-based aberration correction in a silicone phantom with sparse sub-resolution-sized scatterers demonstrates improvement of resolution and signal-to-noise ratio over a large isotome. Results in highly scattering muscle tissue showed improved resolution of fine structure over an extended volume. Guide-star-based computational adaptive optics expands upon the use of image metrics for numerically optimizing the aberration correction in broadband interferometric tomography, and is analogous to phase-conjugation and time-reversal methods for focusing in turbid media. PMID:23284179

Longitudinal Plasmoid in High-Speed Vortex Gas Flow Created by Capacity HF Discharge

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-28

interferometer with high space resolution, PIV method, FTIR spectrometer, optical spectrometer, pressure sensors with high time resolution, IR pyrometer and...of strong LP-vortex interaction. Intensive acoustic waves are created by CHFD in swirl flow in this regime. 38. Study of control of a longitudinal...quartz tube, 4- HF ball electrode, 5- Tesla’s transformer, 6- microwave interferometer, 7- video camera, 8-optical pyrometer , 9-pressure sensor, 10

High-resolution frequency-domain second-harmonic optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Jianping; Tomov, Ivan V.; Jiang, Yi; Chen, Zhongping

2007-04-01

We used continuum generated in an 8.5 cm long fiber by a femtosecond Yb fiber laser to improve threefold the axial resolution of frequency domain second-harmonic optical coherence tomography (SH-OCT) to 12 μm. The acquisition time was shortened by more than 2 orders of magnitude compared to the time-domain SH-OCT. The system was applied to image biological tissue of fish scales, pig leg tendon, and rabbit eye sclera. Highly organized collagen fibrils can be visualized in the recorded images. Polarization dependence on the SH has been used to obtain polarization resolved images.

Miniature real-time intraoperative forward-imaging optical coherence tomography probe

PubMed Central

Joos, Karen M.; Shen, Jin-Hui

2013-01-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has a tremendous global impact upon the ability to diagnose, treat, and monitor eye diseases. A miniature 25-gauge forward-imaging OCT probe with a disposable tip was developed for real-time intraoperative ocular imaging of posterior pole and peripheral structures to improve vitreoretinal surgery. The scanning range was 2 mm when the probe tip was held 3-4 mm from the tissue surface. The axial resolution was 4-6 µm and the lateral resolution was 25-35 µm. The probe was used to image cellophane tape and multiple ocular structures. PMID:24009997

A micron resolution optical scanner for characterization of silicon detectors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shukla, R. A.; Dugad, S. R., E-mail: dugad@cern.ch; Gopal, A. V.

2014-02-15

The emergence of high position resolution (∼10 μm) silicon detectors in recent times have highlighted the urgent need for the development of new automated optical scanners of micron level resolution suited for characterizing microscopic features of these detectors. More specifically, for the newly developed silicon photo-multipliers (SiPM) that are compact, possessing excellent photon detection efficiency with gain comparable to photo-multiplier tube. In a short time, since their invention the SiPMs are already being widely used in several high-energy physics and astrophysics experiments as the photon readout element. The SiPM is a high quantum efficiency, multi-pixel photon counting detector with fastmore » timing and high gain. The presence of a wide variety of photo sensitive silicon detectors with high spatial resolution requires their performance evaluation to be carried out by photon beams of very compact spot size. We have designed a high resolution optical scanner that provides a monochromatic focused beam on a target plane. The transverse size of the beam was measured by the knife-edge method to be 1.7 μm at 1 − σ level. Since the beam size was an order of magnitude smaller than the typical feature size of silicon detectors, this optical scanner can be used for selective excitation of these detectors. The design and operational details of the optical scanner, high precision programmed movement of target plane (0.1 μm) integrated with general purpose data acquisition system developed for recording static and transient response photo sensitive silicon detector are reported in this paper. Entire functionality of scanner is validated by using it for selective excitation of individual pixels in a SiPM and identifying response of active and dead regions within SiPM. Results from these studies are presented in this paper.« less

Convergence Studies of Mass Transport in Disks with Gravitational Instabilities. II. The Radiative Cooling Case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steiman-Cameron, Thomas Y.; Durisen, Richard H.; Boley, Aaron C.; Michael, Scott; McConnell, Caitlin R.

2013-05-01

We conduct a convergence study of a protoplanetary disk subject to gravitational instabilities (GIs) at a time of approximate balance between heating produced by the GIs and radiative cooling governed by realistic dust opacities. We examine cooling times, characterize GI-driven spiral waves and their resultant gravitational torques, and evaluate how accurately mass transport can be represented by an α-disk formulation. Four simulations, identical except for azimuthal resolution, are conducted with a grid-based three-dimensional hydrodynamics code. There are two regions in which behaviors differ as resolution increases. The inner region, which contains 75% of the disk mass and is optically thick, has long cooling times and is well converged in terms of various measures of structure and mass transport for the three highest resolutions. The longest cooling times coincide with radii where the Toomre Q has its minimum value. Torques are dominated in this region by two- and three-armed spirals. The effective α arising from gravitational stresses is typically a few × 10-3 and is only roughly consistent with local balance of heating and cooling when time-averaged over many dynamic times and a wide range of radii. On the other hand, the outer disk region, which is mostly optically thin, has relatively short cooling times and does not show convergence as resolution increases. Treatment of unstable disks with optical depths near unity with realistic radiative transport is a difficult numerical problem requiring further study. We discuss possible implications of our results for numerical convergence of fragmentation criteria in disk simulations.

PEPSI: the Potsdam Echelle Polarimetric and Spectroscopic Instrument for the LBT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strassmeier, K. G.; Woche, M.; Ilyin, I.; Popow, E.; Bauer, S.-M.; Dionies, F.; Fechner, T.; Weber, M.; Hofmann, A.; Storm, J.; Materne, R.; Bittner, W.; Bartus, J.; Granzer, T.; Denker, C.; Carroll, T.; Kopf, M.; DiVarano, I.; Beckert, E.; Lesser, M.

2008-07-01

We present the status of PEPSI, the bench-mounted fibre-fed and stabilized "Potsdam Echelle Polarimetric and Spectroscopic Instrument" for the 2×8.4m Large Binocular Telescope in southern Arizona. PEPSI is under construction at AIP and is scheduled for first light in 2009/10. Its ultra-high-resolution mode will deliver an unprecedented spectral resolution of approximately R=310,000 at high efficiency throughout the entire optical/red wavelength range 390-1050nm without the need for adaptive optics. Besides its polarimetric Stokes IQUV mode, the capability to cover the entire optical range in three exposures at resolutions of 40,000, 130,000 and 310,000 will surpass all existing facilities in terms of light-gathering-power times spectral-coverage product. A solar feed will make use of the spectrograph also during day time. As such, we hope that PEPSI will be the most powerful spectrometer of its kind for the years to come.

On the Fringe Field of Wide Angle LC Optical Phased Array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Xighua; Wang, Bin; Bos, Philip J.; Anderson, James E.; Pouch, John; Miranda, Felix; McManamon, Paul F.

2004-01-01

For free space laser communication, light weighted large deployable optics is a critical component for the transmitter. However, such an optical element will introduce large aberrations due to the fact that the surface figure of the large optics is susceptable to deformation in the space environment. We propose to use a high-resolution liquid crystal spatial light modulator to correct for wavefront aberrations introduced by the primary optical element, and to achieve very fine beam steering and shaping at the same time. A 2-D optical phased array (OPA) antenna based on a Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulator is described. This device offers a combination of low cost, high resolution, high accuracy, high diffraction efficiency at video speed. To quantitatively understand the influence factor of the different design parameters, a computer simulation of the device is given by the 2-D director simulation and the Finite Difference Time domain (FDTD) simulation. For the 1-D OPA, we define the maximum steering angle to have a grating period of 8 pixel/reset scheme; as for larger steering angles than this criterion, the diffraction efficiency drops dramatically. In this case, the diffraction efficiency of 0.86 and the Strehl ratio of 0.9 are obtained in the simulation. The performance of the device in achieving high resolution wavefront correction and beam steering is also characterized experimentally.

Real-time three-dimensional optical coherence tomography image-guided core-needle biopsy system.

PubMed

Kuo, Wei-Cheng; Kim, Jongsik; Shemonski, Nathan D; Chaney, Eric J; Spillman, Darold R; Boppart, Stephen A

2012-06-01

Advances in optical imaging modalities, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), enable us to observe tissue microstructure at high resolution and in real time. Currently, core-needle biopsies are guided by external imaging modalities such as ultrasound imaging and x-ray computed tomography (CT) for breast and lung masses, respectively. These image-guided procedures are frequently limited by spatial resolution when using ultrasound imaging, or by temporal resolution (rapid real-time feedback capabilities) when using x-ray CT. One feasible approach is to perform OCT within small gauge needles to optically image tissue microstructure. However, to date, no system or core-needle device has been developed that incorporates both three-dimensional OCT imaging and tissue biopsy within the same needle for true OCT-guided core-needle biopsy. We have developed and demonstrate an integrated core-needle biopsy system that utilizes catheter-based 3-D OCT for real-time image-guidance for target tissue localization, imaging of tissue immediately prior to physical biopsy, and subsequent OCT imaging of the biopsied specimen for immediate assessment at the point-of-care. OCT images of biopsied ex vivo tumor specimens acquired during core-needle placement are correlated with corresponding histology, and computational visualization of arbitrary planes within the 3-D OCT volumes enables feedback on specimen tissue type and biopsy quality. These results demonstrate the potential for using real-time 3-D OCT for needle biopsy guidance by imaging within the needle and tissue during biopsy procedures.

Photon gating in four-dimensional ultrafast electron microscopy.

PubMed

Hassan, Mohammed T; Liu, Haihua; Baskin, John Spencer; Zewail, Ahmed H

2015-10-20

Ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM) is a pivotal tool for imaging of nanoscale structural dynamics with subparticle resolution on the time scale of atomic motion. Photon-induced near-field electron microscopy (PINEM), a key UEM technique, involves the detection of electrons that have gained energy from a femtosecond optical pulse via photon-electron coupling on nanostructures. PINEM has been applied in various fields of study, from materials science to biological imaging, exploiting the unique spatial, energy, and temporal characteristics of the PINEM electrons gained by interaction with a "single" light pulse. The further potential of photon-gated PINEM electrons in probing ultrafast dynamics of matter and the optical gating of electrons by invoking a "second" optical pulse has previously been proposed and examined theoretically in our group. Here, we experimentally demonstrate this photon-gating technique, and, through diffraction, visualize the phase transition dynamics in vanadium dioxide nanoparticles. With optical gating of PINEM electrons, imaging temporal resolution was improved by a factor of 3 or better, being limited only by the optical pulse widths. This work enables the combination of the high spatial resolution of electron microscopy and the ultrafast temporal response of the optical pulses, which provides a promising approach to attain the resolution of few femtoseconds and attoseconds in UEM.

Photon gating in four-dimensional ultrafast electron microscopy

PubMed Central

Hassan, Mohammed T.; Liu, Haihua; Baskin, John Spencer; Zewail, Ahmed H.

2015-01-01

Ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM) is a pivotal tool for imaging of nanoscale structural dynamics with subparticle resolution on the time scale of atomic motion. Photon-induced near-field electron microscopy (PINEM), a key UEM technique, involves the detection of electrons that have gained energy from a femtosecond optical pulse via photon–electron coupling on nanostructures. PINEM has been applied in various fields of study, from materials science to biological imaging, exploiting the unique spatial, energy, and temporal characteristics of the PINEM electrons gained by interaction with a “single” light pulse. The further potential of photon-gated PINEM electrons in probing ultrafast dynamics of matter and the optical gating of electrons by invoking a “second” optical pulse has previously been proposed and examined theoretically in our group. Here, we experimentally demonstrate this photon-gating technique, and, through diffraction, visualize the phase transition dynamics in vanadium dioxide nanoparticles. With optical gating of PINEM electrons, imaging temporal resolution was improved by a factor of 3 or better, being limited only by the optical pulse widths. This work enables the combination of the high spatial resolution of electron microscopy and the ultrafast temporal response of the optical pulses, which provides a promising approach to attain the resolution of few femtoseconds and attoseconds in UEM. PMID:26438835

Micromachined array tip for multifocus fiber-based optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Yang, Victor X D; Munce, Nigel; Pekar, Julius; Gordon, Maggie L; Lo, Stewart; Marcon, Norman E; Wilson, Brian C; Vitkin, I Alex

2004-08-01

High-resolution optical coherence tomography demands a large detector bandwidth and a high numerical aperture for real-time imaging, which is difficult to achieve over a large imaging depth. To resolve these conflicting requirements we propose a novel multifocus fiber-based optical coherence tomography system with a micromachined array tip. We demonstrate the fabrication of a prototype four-channel tip that maintains a 9-14-microm spot diameter with more than 500 microm of imaging depth. Images of a resolution target and a human tooth were obtained with this tip by use of a four-channel cascaded Michelson fiber-optic interferometer, scanned simultaneously at 8 kHz with geometric power distribution across the four channels.

Optimal Exploitation of the Temporal and Spatial Resolution of SEVIRI for the Nowcasting of Clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sirch, Tobias; Bugliaro, Luca

2015-04-01

Optimal Exploitation of the Temporal and Spatial Resolution of SEVIRI for the Nowcasting of Clouds An algorithm was developed to forecast the development of water and ice clouds for the successive 5-120 minutes separately using satellite data from SEVIRI (Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager) aboard Meteosat Second Generation (MSG). In order to derive cloud cover, optical thickness and cloud top height of high ice clouds "The Cirrus Optical properties derived from CALIOP and SEVIRI during day and night" (COCS, Kox et al. [2014]) algorithm is applied. For the determination of the liquid water clouds the APICS ("Algorithm for the Physical Investigation of Clouds with SEVIRI", Bugliaro e al. [2011]) cloud algorithm is used, which provides cloud cover, optical thickness and effective radius. The forecast rests upon an optical flow method determining a motion vector field from two satellite images [Zinner et al., 2008.] With the aim of determining the ideal time separation of the satellite images that are used for the determination of the cloud motion vector field for every forecast horizon time the potential of the better temporal resolution of the Meteosat Rapid Scan Service (5 instead of 15 minutes repetition rate) has been investigated. Therefore for the period from March to June 2013 forecasts up to 4 hours in time steps of 5 min based on images separated by a time interval of 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, 30 min have been created. The results show that Rapid Scan data produces a small reduction of errors for a forecast horizon up to 30 minutes. For the following time steps forecasts generated with a time interval of 15 min should be used and for forecasts up to several hours computations with a time interval of 30 min provide the best results. For a better spatial resolution the HRV channel (High Resolution Visible, 1km instead of 3km maximum spatial resolution at the subsatellite point) has been integrated into the forecast. To detect clouds the difference of the measured albedo from SEVIRI and the clear-sky albedo provided by MODIS has been used and additionally the temporal development of this quantity. A pre-requisite for this work was an adjustment of the geolocation accuracy for MSG and MODIS by shifting the MODIS data and quantifying the correlation between both data sets.

Metrological 2iOF fibre-optic system for position and displacement measurement with 31 pm resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orłowska, Karolina; Świåtkowski, Michał; Kunicki, Piotr; Gotszalk, Teodor

2018-04-01

In the present paper, we describe a high sensitivity intensity fibre-optic displacement sensor with tens of picometre resolution combined with a sub-picometre resolution interferometric calibration system. Both integrated components form the so-called "2 in one ferrule" system 2iOF. The design and construction of the presented device depend on integrating two sensors' systems within one fibre-optic measuring head, which allows performing in situ calibration process with no additional time-consuming adjustment procedure. The resolution of the 2iOF system is 31 pm/Hz1/2 obtained with an interferometric Fabry-Perot based calibration system—providing accuracy better than tens of fm/Hz1/2 within 1 MHz bandwidth in the measurement range of up to 100 μm. The direct response from the intensity sensor is then the 2iOF output one. It is faster and more convenient to analyze in comparison, with much better resolution (3 orders of magnitude higher) but on the other hand also more time consuming and dependent on the absolute sample position interferometer. The proposed system is flexible and open to various applications. We will present the results of the piezoelectrical actuator displacement measurements, which were performed using the developed system.

High-speed, random-access fluorescence microscopy: I. High-resolution optical recording with voltage-sensitive dyes and ion indicators.

PubMed

Bullen, A; Patel, S S; Saggau, P

1997-07-01

The design and implementation of a high-speed, random-access, laser-scanning fluorescence microscope configured to record fast physiological signals from small neuronal structures with high spatiotemporal resolution is presented. The laser-scanning capability of this nonimaging microscope is provided by two orthogonal acousto-optic deflectors under computer control. Each scanning point can be randomly accessed and has a positioning time of 3-5 microseconds. Sampling time is also computer-controlled and can be varied to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. Acquisition rates up to 200k samples/s at 16-bit digitizing resolution are possible. The spatial resolution of this instrument is determined by the minimal spot size at the level of the preparation (i.e., 2-7 microns). Scanning points are selected interactively from a reference image collected with differential interference contrast optics and a video camera. Frame rates up to 5 kHz are easily attainable. Intrinsic variations in laser light intensity and scanning spot brightness are overcome by an on-line signal-processing scheme. Representative records obtained with this instrument by using voltage-sensitive dyes and calcium indicators demonstrate the ability to make fast, high-fidelity measurements of membrane potential and intracellular calcium at high spatial resolution (2 microns) without any temporal averaging.

Ultrafast random-access scanning in two-photon microscopy using acousto-optic deflectors.

PubMed

Salomé, R; Kremer, Y; Dieudonné, S; Léger, J-F; Krichevsky, O; Wyart, C; Chatenay, D; Bourdieu, L

2006-06-30

Two-photon scanning microscopy (TPSM) is a powerful tool for imaging deep inside living tissues with sub-cellular resolution. The temporal resolution of TPSM is however strongly limited by the galvanometric mirrors used to steer the laser beam. Fast physiological events can therefore only be followed by scanning repeatedly a single line within the field of view. Because acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) are non-mechanical devices, they allow access at any point within the field of view on a microsecond time scale and are therefore excellent candidates to improve the temporal resolution of TPSM. However, the use of AOD-based scanners with femtosecond pulses raises several technical difficulties. In this paper, we describe an all-digital TPSM setup based on two crossed AODs. It includes in particular an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) placed at 45 degrees with respect to the AODs to pre-compensate for the large spatial distortions of femtosecond pulses occurring in the AODs, in order to optimize the spatial resolution and the fluorescence excitation. Our setup allows recording from freely selectable point-of-interest at high speed (1kHz). By maximizing the time spent on points of interest, random-access TPSM (RA-TPSM) constitutes a promising method for multiunit recordings with millisecond resolution in biological tissues.

High-speed, random-access fluorescence microscopy: I. High-resolution optical recording with voltage-sensitive dyes and ion indicators.

PubMed Central

Bullen, A; Patel, S S; Saggau, P

1997-01-01

The design and implementation of a high-speed, random-access, laser-scanning fluorescence microscope configured to record fast physiological signals from small neuronal structures with high spatiotemporal resolution is presented. The laser-scanning capability of this nonimaging microscope is provided by two orthogonal acousto-optic deflectors under computer control. Each scanning point can be randomly accessed and has a positioning time of 3-5 microseconds. Sampling time is also computer-controlled and can be varied to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. Acquisition rates up to 200k samples/s at 16-bit digitizing resolution are possible. The spatial resolution of this instrument is determined by the minimal spot size at the level of the preparation (i.e., 2-7 microns). Scanning points are selected interactively from a reference image collected with differential interference contrast optics and a video camera. Frame rates up to 5 kHz are easily attainable. Intrinsic variations in laser light intensity and scanning spot brightness are overcome by an on-line signal-processing scheme. Representative records obtained with this instrument by using voltage-sensitive dyes and calcium indicators demonstrate the ability to make fast, high-fidelity measurements of membrane potential and intracellular calcium at high spatial resolution (2 microns) without any temporal averaging. Images FIGURE 6 PMID:9199810

Multiple-aperture optical design for micro-level cameras using 3D-printing method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Wei-Jei; Hsu, Wei-Yao; Cheng, Yuan-Chieh; Lin, Wen-Lung; Yu, Zong-Ru; Chou, Hsiao-Yu; Chen, Fong-Zhi; Fu, Chien-Chung; Wu, Chong-Syuan; Huang, Chao-Tsung

2018-02-01

The design of the ultra miniaturized camera using 3D-printing technology directly printed on to the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imaging sensor is presented in this paper. The 3D printed micro-optics is manufactured using the femtosecond two-photon direct laser writing, and the figure error which could achieve submicron accuracy is suitable for the optical system. Because the size of the micro-level camera is approximately several hundreds of micrometers, the resolution is reduced much and highly limited by the Nyquist frequency of the pixel pitch. For improving the reduced resolution, one single-lens can be replaced by multiple-aperture lenses with dissimilar field of view (FOV), and then stitching sub-images with different FOV can achieve a high resolution within the central region of the image. The reason is that the angular resolution of the lens with smaller FOV is higher than that with larger FOV, and then the angular resolution of the central area can be several times than that of the outer area after stitching. For the same image circle, the image quality of the central area of the multi-lens system is significantly superior to that of a single-lens. The foveated image using stitching FOV breaks the limitation of the resolution for the ultra miniaturized imaging system, and then it can be applied such as biomedical endoscopy, optical sensing, and machine vision, et al. In this study, the ultra miniaturized camera with multi-aperture optics is designed and simulated for the optimum optical performance.

Theory and optical design of x-ray echo spectrometers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shvyd'ko, Yuri

X-ray echo spectroscopy, a space-domain counterpart of neutron spin echo, is a recently proposed inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) technique. X-ray echo spectroscopy relies on imaging IXS spectra and does not require x-ray monochromatization. Due to this, the echo-type IXS spectrometers are broadband, and thus have a potential to simultaneously provide dramatically increased signal strength, reduced measurement times, and higher resolution compared to the traditional narrow-band scanning-type IXS spectrometers. The theory of x-ray echo spectrometers presented earlier [Yu. Shvyd'ko, Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 080801 (2016)] is developed here further with a focus on questions of practical importance, which could facilitate opticalmore » design and assessment of the feasibility and performance of the echo spectrometers. Among others, the following questions are addressed: spectral resolution, refocusing condition, echo spectrometer tolerances, refocusing condition adjustment, effective beam size on the sample, spectral window of imaging and scanning range, impact of the secondary source size on the spectral resolution, angular dispersive optics, focusing and collimating optics, and detector's spatial resolution. In conclusion, examples of optical designs and characteristics of echo spectrometers with 1-meV and 0.1-meV resolutions are presented.« less

Theory and optical design of x-ray echo spectrometers

DOE PAGES

Shvyd'ko, Yuri

2017-08-02

X-ray echo spectroscopy, a space-domain counterpart of neutron spin echo, is a recently proposed inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) technique. X-ray echo spectroscopy relies on imaging IXS spectra and does not require x-ray monochromatization. Due to this, the echo-type IXS spectrometers are broadband, and thus have a potential to simultaneously provide dramatically increased signal strength, reduced measurement times, and higher resolution compared to the traditional narrow-band scanning-type IXS spectrometers. The theory of x-ray echo spectrometers presented earlier [Yu. Shvyd'ko, Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 080801 (2016)] is developed here further with a focus on questions of practical importance, which could facilitate opticalmore » design and assessment of the feasibility and performance of the echo spectrometers. Among others, the following questions are addressed: spectral resolution, refocusing condition, echo spectrometer tolerances, refocusing condition adjustment, effective beam size on the sample, spectral window of imaging and scanning range, impact of the secondary source size on the spectral resolution, angular dispersive optics, focusing and collimating optics, and detector's spatial resolution. In conclusion, examples of optical designs and characteristics of echo spectrometers with 1-meV and 0.1-meV resolutions are presented.« less

Lens-based wavefront sensorless adaptive optics swept source OCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jian, Yifan; Lee, Sujin; Ju, Myeong Jin; Heisler, Morgan; Ding, Weiguang; Zawadzki, Robert J.; Bonora, Stefano; Sarunic, Marinko V.

2016-06-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has revolutionized modern ophthalmology, providing depth resolved images of the retinal layers in a system that is suited to a clinical environment. Although the axial resolution of OCT system, which is a function of the light source bandwidth, is sufficient to resolve retinal features at a micrometer scale, the lateral resolution is dependent on the delivery optics and is limited by ocular aberrations. Through the combination of wavefront sensorless adaptive optics and the use of dual deformable transmissive optical elements, we present a compact lens-based OCT system at an imaging wavelength of 1060 nm for high resolution retinal imaging. We utilized a commercially available variable focal length lens to correct for a wide range of defocus commonly found in patient’s eyes, and a novel multi-actuator adaptive lens for aberration correction to achieve near diffraction limited imaging performance at the retina. With a parallel processing computational platform, high resolution cross-sectional and en face retinal image acquisition and display was performed in real time. In order to demonstrate the system functionality and clinical utility, we present images of the photoreceptor cone mosaic and other retinal layers acquired in vivo from research subjects.

Range detection using entangled optical photons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brandsema, Matthew J.; Narayanan, Ram M.; Lanzagorta, Marco

2015-05-01

Quantum radar is an emerging field that shows a lot of promise in providing significantly improved resolution compared to its classical radar counterpart. The key to this kind of resolution lies in the correlations created from the entanglement of the photons being used. Currently, the technology available only supports quantum radar implementation and validation in the optical regime, as opposed to the microwave regime, because microwave photons have very low energy compared to optical photons. Furthermore, there currently do not exist practical single photon detectors and generators in the microwave spectrum. Viable applications in the optical regime include deep sea target detection and high resolution detection in space. In this paper, we propose a conceptual architecture of a quantum radar which uses entangled optical photons based on Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion (SPDC) methods. After the entangled photons are created and emerge from the crystal, the idler photon is detected very shortly thereafter. At the same time, the signal photon is sent out towards the target and upon its reflection will impinge on the detector of the radar. From these two measurements, correlation data processing is done to obtain the distance of the target away from the radar. Various simulations are then shown to display the resolution that is possible.

In vivo imaging of human photoreceptor mosaic with wavefront sensorless adaptive optics optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Wong, Kevin S K; Jian, Yifan; Cua, Michelle; Bonora, Stefano; Zawadzki, Robert J; Sarunic, Marinko V

2015-02-01

Wavefront sensorless adaptive optics optical coherence tomography (WSAO-OCT) is a novel imaging technique for in vivo high-resolution depth-resolved imaging that mitigates some of the challenges encountered with the use of sensor-based adaptive optics designs. This technique replaces the Hartmann Shack wavefront sensor used to measure aberrations with a depth-resolved image-driven optimization algorithm, with the metric based on the OCT volumes acquired in real-time. The custom-built ultrahigh-speed GPU processing platform and fast modal optimization algorithm presented in this paper was essential in enabling real-time, in vivo imaging of human retinas with wavefront sensorless AO correction. WSAO-OCT is especially advantageous for developing a clinical high-resolution retinal imaging system as it enables the use of a compact, low-cost and robust lens-based adaptive optics design. In this report, we describe our WSAO-OCT system for imaging the human photoreceptor mosaic in vivo. We validated our system performance by imaging the retina at several eccentricities, and demonstrated the improvement in photoreceptor visibility with WSAO compensation.

Deep-tissue focal fluorescence imaging with digitally time-reversed ultrasound-encoded light

PubMed Central

Wang, Ying Min; Judkewitz, Benjamin; DiMarzio, Charles A.; Yang, Changhuei

2012-01-01

Fluorescence imaging is one of the most important research tools in biomedical sciences. However, scattering of light severely impedes imaging of thick biological samples beyond the ballistic regime. Here we directly show focusing and high-resolution fluorescence imaging deep inside biological tissues by digitally time-reversing ultrasound-tagged light with high optical gain (~5×105). We confirm the presence of a time-reversed optical focus along with a diffuse background—a corollary of partial phase conjugation—and develop an approach for dynamic background cancellation. To illustrate the potential of our method, we image complex fluorescent objects and tumour microtissues at an unprecedented depth of 2.5 mm in biological tissues at a lateral resolution of 36 μm×52 μm and an axial resolution of 657 μm. Our results set the stage for a range of deep-tissue imaging applications in biomedical research and medical diagnostics. PMID:22735456

Surface plasmon resonance optical cavity enhanced refractive index sensing.

PubMed

Giorgini, A; Avino, S; Malara, P; Gagliardi, G; Casalino, M; Coppola, G; Iodice, M; Adam, P; Chadt, K; Homola, J; De Natale, P

2013-06-01

We report on a method for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) refractive index sensing based on direct time-domain measurements. An optical resonator is built around an SPR sensor, and its photon lifetime is measured as a function of loss induced by refractive index variations. The method does not rely on any spectroscopic analysis or direct intensity measurement. Time-domain measurements are practically immune to light intensity fluctuations and thus lead to high resolution. A proof of concept experiment is carried out in which a sensor response to liquid samples of different refractive indices is measured. A refractive index resolution of the current system, extrapolated from the reproducibility of cavity-decay time determinations over 133 s, is found to be about 10(-5) RIU. The possibility of long-term averaging suggests that measurements with a resolution better than 10(-7) RIU/√Hz are within reach.

Magnetic resonance imaging with an optical atomic magnetometer

PubMed Central

Xu, Shoujun; Yashchuk, Valeriy V.; Donaldson, Marcus H.; Rochester, Simon M.; Budker, Dmitry; Pines, Alexander

2006-01-01

We report an approach for the detection of magnetic resonance imaging without superconducting magnets and cryogenics: optical atomic magnetometry. This technique possesses a high sensitivity independent of the strength of the static magnetic field, extending the applicability of magnetic resonance imaging to low magnetic fields and eliminating imaging artifacts associated with high fields. By coupling with a remote-detection scheme, thereby improving the filling factor of the sample, we obtained time-resolved flow images of water with a temporal resolution of 0.1 s and spatial resolutions of 1.6 mm perpendicular to the flow and 4.5 mm along the flow. Potentially inexpensive, compact, and mobile, our technique provides a viable alternative for MRI detection with substantially enhanced sensitivity and time resolution for various situations where traditional MRI is not optimal. PMID:16885210

High resolution and deep tissue imaging using a near infrared acoustic resolution photoacoustic microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moothanchery, Mohesh; Sharma, Arunima; Periyasamy, Vijitha; Pramanik, Manojit

2018-02-01

It is always a great challenge for pure optical techniques to maintain good resolution and imaging depth at the same time. Photoacoustic imaging is an emerging technique which can overcome the limitation by pulsed light illumination and acoustic detection. Here, we report a Near Infrared Acoustic-Resolution Photoacoustic Microscopy (NIR-AR-PAM) systm with 30 MHz transducer and 1064 nm illumination which can achieve a lateral resolution of around 88 μm and imaging depth of 9.2 mm. Compared to visible light NIR beam can penetrate deeper in biological tissue due to weaker optical attenuation. In this work, we also demonstrated the in vivo imaging capabilty of NIRARPAM by near infrared detection of SLN with black ink as exogenous photoacoustic contrast agent in a rodent model.

Two-dimensional directional synthetic aperture focusing technique using acoustic-resolution photoacoustic microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeon, Seungwan; Park, Jihoon; Kim, Chulhong

2018-02-01

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is a hybrid imaging technology using optical illumination and acoustic detection. PAM is divided into two types: optical-resolution PAM (OR-PAM) and acoustic-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (AR-PAM). Among them, AR-PAM has a great advantage in the penetration depth compared to OR-PAM because ARPAM relies on the acoustic focus, which is much less scattered in biological tissue than optical focus. However, because the acoustic focus is not as tight as the optical focus with a same numerical aperture (NA), the AR-PAM requires acoustic NA higher than optical NA. The high NA of the acoustic focus produces good image quality in the focal zone, but significantly degrades spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the out-of-focal zone. To overcome the problem, synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) has been introduced. SAFT improves the degraded image quality in terms of both SNR and spatial resolution in the out-of-focus zone by calculating the time delay of the corresponding signals and combining them. To extend the dimension of correction effect, several 2D SAFTs have been introduced, but there was a problem that the conventional 2D SAFTs cannot improve the degraded SNR and resolution as 1D SAFT can do. In this study, we proposed a new 2D SAFT that can compensate the distorted signals in x and y directions while maintaining the correction performance as the 1D SAFT.

An edge-readout, multilayer detector for positron emission tomography.

PubMed

Li, Xin; Ruiz-Gonzalez, Maria; Furenlid, Lars R

2018-06-01

We present a novel gamma-ray-detector design based on total internal reflection (TIR) of scintillation photons within a crystal that addresses many limitations of traditional PET detectors. Our approach has appealing features, including submillimeter lateral resolution, DOI positioning from layer thickness, and excellent energy resolution. The design places light sensors on the edges of a stack of scintillator slabs separated by small air gaps and exploits the phenomenon that more than 80% of scintillation light emitted during a gamma-ray event reaches the edges of a thin crystal with polished faces due to TIR. Gamma-ray stopping power is achieved by stacking multiple layers, and DOI is determined by which layer the gamma ray interacts in. The concept of edge readouts of a thin slab was verified by Monte Carlo simulation of scintillation light transport. An LYSO crystal of dimensions 50.8 mm × 50.8 mm × 3.0 mm was modeled with five rectangular SiPMs placed along each edge face. The mean-detector-response functions (MDRFs) were calculated by simulating signals from 511 keV gamma-ray interactions in a grid of locations. Simulations were carried out to study the influence of choice of scintillator material and dimensions, gamma-ray photon energies, introduction of laser or mechanically induced optical barriers (LIOBs, MIOBs), and refractive indices of optical-coupling media and SiPM windows. We also analyzed timing performance including influence of gamma-ray interaction position and presence of optical barriers. We also modeled and built a prototype detector, a 27.4 mm × 27.4 mm × 3.0 mm CsI(Tl) crystal with 4 SiPMs per edge to experimentally validate the results predicted by the simulations. The prototype detector used CsI(Tl) crystals from Proteus outfitted with 16 Hamamatsu model S13360-6050PE MPPCs read out by an AiT-16-channel readout. The MDRFs were measured by scanning the detector with a collimated beam of 662-keV photons from a 137 Cs source. The spatial resolution was experimentally determined by imaging a tungsten slit that created a beam of 0.44 mm (FWHM) width normal to the detector surface. The energy resolution was evaluated by analyzing list-mode data from flood illumination by the 137 Cs source. We find that in a block-detector-sized LYSO layer read out by five SiPMs per edge, illuminated by 511-keV photons, the average resolution is 1.49 mm (FWHM). With the introduction of optical barriers, average spatial resolution improves to 0.56 mm (FWHM). The DOI resolution is the layer thickness of 3.0 mm. We also find that optical-coupling media and SiPM-window materials have an impact on spatial resolution. The timing simulation with LYSO crystal yields a coincidence resolving time (CRT) of 200-400 ps, which is slightly position dependent. And the introduction of optical barriers has minimum influence. The prototype CsI(Tl) detector, with a smaller area and fewer SiPMs, was measured to have central-area spatial resolutions of 0.70 and 0.39 mm without and with optical barriers, respectively. These results match well with our simulations. An energy resolution of 6.4% was achieved at 662 keV. A detector design based on a stack of monolithic scintillator layers that uses edge readouts offers several advantages over current block detectors for PET. For example, there is no tradeoff between spatial resolution and detection sensitivity since no reflector material displaces scintillator crystal, and submillimeter resolution can be achieved. DOI information is readily available, and excellent timing and energy resolutions are possible. © 2018 The Authors. Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Improved Visualization of Glaucomatous Retinal Damage Using High-speed Ultrahigh-Resolution Optical Coherence Tomography

PubMed Central

Mumcuoglu, Tarkan; Wollstein, Gadi; Wojtkowski, Maciej; Kagemann, Larry; Ishikawa, Hiroshi; Gabriele, Michelle L.; Srinivasan, Vivek; Fujimoto, James G.; Duker, Jay S.; Schuman, Joel S.

2009-01-01

Purpose To test if improving optical coherence tomography (OCT) resolution and scanning speed improves the visualization of glaucomatous structural changes as compared with conventional OCT. Design Prospective observational case series. Participants Healthy and glaucomatous subjects in various stages of disease. Methods Subjects were scanned at a single visit with commercially available OCT (StratusOCT) and high-speed ultrahigh-resolution (hsUHR) OCT. The prototype hsUHR OCT had an axial resolution of 3.4 μm (3 times higher than StratusOCT), with an A-scan rate of 24 000 hertz (60 times faster than StratusOCT). The fast scanning rate allowed the acquisition of novel scanning patterns such as raster scanning, which provided dense coverage of the retina and optic nerve head. Main Outcome Measures Discrimination of retinal tissue layers and detailed visualization of retinal structures. Results High-speed UHR OCT provided a marked improvement in tissue visualization as compared with StratusOCT. This allowed the identification of numerous retinal layers, including the ganglion cell layer, which is specifically prone to glaucomatous damage. Fast scanning and the enhanced A-scan registration properties of hsUHR OCT provided maps of the macula and optic nerve head with unprecedented detail, including en face OCT fundus images and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness maps. Conclusion High-speed UHR OCT improves visualization of the tissues relevant to the detection and management of glaucoma. PMID:17884170

A conjunct near-surface spectroscopy system for fix-angle and multi-angle continuous measurements of canopy reflectance and sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qian; Fan, Yifeng; Zhang, Yongguang; Chou, Shuren; Ju, Weimin; Chen, Jing M.

2016-09-01

An automated spectroscopy system, which is divided into fix-angle and multi-angle subsystems, for collecting simultaneous, continuous and long-term measurements of canopy hyper-spectra in a crop ecosystem is developed. The fix-angle subsystem equips two spectrometers: one is HR2000+ (OceanOptics) covering the spectral range 200-1100 nm with 1.0 nm spectral resolution, and another one is QE65PRO (OceanOptics) providing 0.1 nm spectral resolution within the 730-780 nm spectral range. Both spectrometers connect a cosine-corrected fiber-optic fixed up-looking to collect the down-welling irradiance and a bare fiber-optic to measure the up-welling radiance from the vegetation. An inline fiber-optic shutter FOS-2x2-TTL (OceanOptics) is used to switch between input fibers to collect the signal from either the canopy or sky at one time. QE65PRO is used to permit estimation of vegetation Sun-Induced Fluorescence (SIF) in the O2-A band. The data collection scheme includes optimization of spectrometer integration time to maximize the signal to noise ratio and measurement of instrument dark currency. The multi-angle subsystem, which can help understanding bidirectional reflectance effects, alternatively use HR4000 (OceanOptics) providing 0.1 nm spectral resolution within the 680-800 nm spectral range to measure multi-angle SIF. This subsystem additionally includes a spectrometer Unispec-DC (PPSystems) featuring both up-welling and down-welling channels with 3 nm spectral resolution covering the 300-1100 nm spectral range. Two down-looking fiber-optics are mounted on a rotating device PTU-D46 (FLIR Systems), which can rotate horizontally and vertically at 10° angular step widths. Observations can be used to calculate canopy reflectance, vegetation indices and SIF for monitoring plant physiological processes.

A coaxially focused multi-mode beam for optical coherence tomography imaging with extended depth of focus (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Biwei; Liang, Chia-Pin; Vuong, Barry; Tearney, Guillermo J.

2017-02-01

Conventional OCT images, obtained using a focused Gaussian beam have a lateral resolution of approximately 30 μm and a depth of focus (DOF) of 2-3 mm, defined as the confocal parameter (twice of Gaussian beam Rayleigh range). Improvement of lateral resolution without sacrificing imaging range requires techniques that can extend the DOF. Previously, we described a self-imaging wavefront division optical system that provided an estimated one order of magnitude DOF extension. In this study, we further investigate the properties of the coaxially focused multi-mode (CAFM) beam created by this self-imaging wavefront division optical system and demonstrate its feasibility for real-time biological tissue imaging. Gaussian beam and CAFM beam fiber optic probes with similar numerical apertures (objective NA≈0.5) were fabricated, providing lateral resolutions of approximately 2 μm. Rigorous lateral resolution characterization over depth was performed for both probes. The CAFM beam probe was found to be able to provide a DOF that was approximately one order of magnitude greater than that of Gaussian beam probe. By incorporating the CAFM beam fiber optic probe into a μOCT system with 1.5 μm axial resolution, we were able to acquire cross-sectional images of swine small intestine ex vivo, enabling the visualization of subcellular structures, providing high quality OCT images over more than a 300 μm depth range.

Dynamic measurements and simulations of airborne picolitre-droplet coalescence in holographic optical tweezers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bzdek, Bryan R.; Reid, Jonathan P., E-mail: j.p.reid@bristol.ac.uk; Collard, Liam

We report studies of the coalescence of pairs of picolitre aerosol droplets manipulated with holographic optical tweezers, probing the shape relaxation dynamics following coalescence by simultaneously monitoring the intensity of elastic backscattered light (EBL) from the trapping laser beam (time resolution on the order of 100 ns) while recording high frame rate camera images (time resolution <10 μs). The goals of this work are to: resolve the dynamics of droplet coalescence in holographic optical traps; assign the origin of key features in the time-dependent EBL intensity; and validate the use of the EBL alone to precisely determine droplet surface tensionmore » and viscosity. For low viscosity droplets, two sequential processes are evident: binary coalescence first results from the overlap of the optical traps on the time scale of microseconds followed by the recapture of the composite droplet in an optical trap on the time scale of milliseconds. As droplet viscosity increases, the relaxation in droplet shape eventually occurs on the same time scale as recapture, resulting in a convoluted evolution of the EBL intensity that inhibits quantitative determination of the relaxation time scale. Droplet coalescence was simulated using a computational framework to validate both experimental approaches. The results indicate that time-dependent monitoring of droplet shape from the EBL intensity allows for robust determination of properties such as surface tension and viscosity. Finally, the potential of high frame rate imaging to examine the coalescence of dissimilar viscosity droplets is discussed.« less

Development of a broadband reflectivity diagnostic for laser driven shock compression experiments

DOE PAGES

Ali, S. J.; Bolme, C. A.; Collins, G. W.; ...

2015-04-16

Here, a normal-incidence visible and near-infrared shock wave optical reflectivity diagnostic was constructed to investigate changes in the optical properties of materials under dynamic laser compression. Documenting wavelength- and time-dependent changes in the optical properties of laser-shock compressed samples has been difficult, primarily due to the small sample sizes and short time scales involved, but we succeeded in doing so by broadening a series of time delayed 800-nm pulses from an ultrafast Ti:sapphire laser to generate high-intensity broadband light at nanosecond time scales. This diagnostic was demonstrated over the wavelength range 450–1150 nm with up to 16 time displaced spectramore » during a single shock experiment. Simultaneous off-normal incidence velocity interferometry (velocity interferometer system for any reflector) characterized the sample under laser-compression and also provided an independent reflectivity measurement at 532 nm wavelength. The shock-driven semiconductor-to-metallic transition in germanium was documented by the way of reflectivity measurements with 0.5 ns time resolution and a wavelength resolution of 10 nm.« less

Direct Characterization of Ultrafast Energy-Time Entangled Photon Pairs.

PubMed

MacLean, Jean-Philippe W; Donohue, John M; Resch, Kevin J

2018-02-02

Energy-time entangled photons are critical in many quantum optical phenomena and have emerged as important elements in quantum information protocols. Entanglement in this degree of freedom often manifests itself on ultrafast time scales, making it very difficult to detect, whether one employs direct or interferometric techniques, as photon-counting detectors have insufficient time resolution. Here, we implement ultrafast photon counters based on nonlinear interactions and strong femtosecond laser pulses to probe energy-time entanglement in this important regime. Using this technique and single-photon spectrometers, we characterize all the spectral and temporal correlations of two entangled photons with femtosecond resolution. This enables the witnessing of energy-time entanglement using uncertainty relations and the direct observation of nonlocal dispersion cancellation on ultrafast time scales. These techniques are essential to understand and control the energy-time degree of freedom of light for ultrafast quantum optics.

Comprehensive study of unexpected microscope condensers formed in sample arrangements commonly used in optical microscopy.

PubMed

Desai, Darshan B; Aldawsari, Mabkhoot Mudith S; Alharbi, Bandar Mohammed H; Sen, Sanchari; Grave de Peralta, Luis

2015-09-01

We show that various setups for optical microscopy which are commonly used in biomedical laboratories behave like efficient microscope condensers that are responsible for observed subwavelength resolution. We present a series of experiments and simulations that reveal how inclined illumination from such unexpected condensers occurs when the sample is perpendicularly illuminated by a microscope's built-in white-light source. In addition, we demonstrate an inexpensive add-on optical module that serves as an efficient and lightweight microscope condenser. Using such add-on optical module in combination with a low-numerical-aperture objective lens and Fourier plane imaging microscopy technique, we demonstrate detection of photonic crystals with a period nearly eight times smaller than the Rayleigh resolution limit.

Real-time microstructural and functional imaging and image processing in optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Westphal, Volker

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive optical imaging technique that allows high-resolution cross-sectional imaging of tissue microstructure, achieving a spatial resolution of about 10 mum. OCT is similar to B-mode ultrasound (US) except that it uses infrared light instead of ultrasound. In contrast to US, no coupling gel is needed, simplifying the image acquisition. Furthermore, the fiber optic implementation of OCT is compatible with endoscopes. In recent years, the transition from slow imaging, bench-top systems to real-time clinical systems has been under way. This has lead to a variety of applications, namely in ophthalmology, gastroenterology, dermatology and cardiology. First, this dissertation will demonstrate that OCT is capable of imaging and differentiating clinically relevant tissue structures in the gastrointestinal tract. A careful in vitro correlation study between endoscopic OCT images and corresponding histological slides was performed. Besides structural imaging, OCT systems were further developed for functional imaging, as for example to visualize blood flow. Previously, imaging flow in small vessels in real-time was not possible. For this research, a new processing scheme similar to real-time Doppler in US was introduced. It was implemented in dedicated hardware to allow real-time acquisition and overlayed display of blood flow in vivo. A sensitivity of 0.5mm/s was achieved. Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) is a variation of OCT, improving the resolution even further to a few micrometers. Advances made in the OCT scan engine for the Doppler setup enabled real-time imaging in vivo with OCM. In order to generate geometrical correct images for all the previous applications in real-time, extensive image processing algorithms were developed. Algorithms for correction of distortions due to non-telecentric scanning, nonlinear scan mirror movements, and refraction were developed and demonstrated. This has led to interesting new applications, as for example in imaging of the anterior segment of the eye.

Optical coherence tomography imaging for evaluating the photo biomodulation effects on tissue regeneration in the oral cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gimbel, Craig B.

2008-03-01

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive method for imaging dental microstructure which has the potential of evaluating the health of periodontal tissue. OCT provides an "optical biopsy" of tissue 2-3 mm in depth. Optical biopsy is a measurement of the localized optical properties based on tissue type and pathology. This sixth modality of imaging was pioneered at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. OCT is based on the optical scattering signatures within tissue structure. With the use of a broad spectrum bandwidth light source, high resolution images, 10 times the resolution of radiographs, can detect important tissue interfaces within the periodontal sulcus and its' relationship to the attachment apparatus of the tooth. Multiple cross-sectional tomograms can be stacked to create two and three dimensional images providing information as to health of periodontal tissue important to both the clinician and researcher.

Super-resolution with an SLM and two intensity images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alcalá Ochoa, Noé; de León, Y. Ponce

2018-06-01

It is reported a method which may simplify the optical setups used to achieve super-resolution through the amplitude multiplication of two waves. For this end we decompose a super-resolving pupil into two complex masks and with the aid of a Spatial Light Modulator (LCoS) we obtain two intensity images that are subtracted. With this proposal, the traditional experimental optical setups are considerably simplified, with the additional benefit that different masks can be utilized without needing to perform the setup alignment each time.

Time stamping of single optical photons with 10 ns resolution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chakaberia, Irakli; Cotlet, Mircea; Fisher-Levine, Merlin

High spatial and temporal resolution are key features for many modern applications, e.g. mass spectrometry, probing the structure of materials via neutron scattering, studying molecular structure, etc. Fast imaging also provides the capability of coincidence detection, and the further addition of sensitivity to single optical photons with the capability of timestamping them further broadens the field of potential applications. Here, photon counting is already widely used in X-ray imaging, where the high energy of the photons makes their detection easier.

Time stamping of single optical photons with 10 ns resolution

DOE PAGES

Chakaberia, Irakli; Cotlet, Mircea; Fisher-Levine, Merlin; ...

2017-05-08

High spatial and temporal resolution are key features for many modern applications, e.g. mass spectrometry, probing the structure of materials via neutron scattering, studying molecular structure, etc. Fast imaging also provides the capability of coincidence detection, and the further addition of sensitivity to single optical photons with the capability of timestamping them further broadens the field of potential applications. Here, photon counting is already widely used in X-ray imaging, where the high energy of the photons makes their detection easier.

High-accuracy self-mixing interferometer based on multiple reflections using a simple external reflecting mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiu-lin; Wei, Zheng; Wang, Rui; Huang, Wen-cai

2018-05-01

A self-mixing interferometer (SMI) with resolution twenty times higher than that of a conventional interferometer is developed by multiple reflections. Only by employing a simple external reflecting mirror, the multiple-pass optical configuration can be constructed. The advantage of the configuration is simple and easy to make the light re-injected back into the laser cavity. Theoretical analysis shows that the resolution of measurement is scalable by adjusting the number of reflections. The experiment shows that the proposed method has the optical resolution of approximate λ/40. The influence of displacement sensitivity gain ( G) is further analyzed and discussed in practical experiments.

Improved optical flow motion estimation for digital image stabilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Lijun; Xu, Zhiyong; Zhang, Xuyao

2015-11-01

Optical flow is the instantaneous motion vector at each pixel in the image frame at a time instant. The gradient-based approach for optical flow computation can't work well when the video motion is too large. To alleviate such problem, we incorporate this algorithm into a pyramid multi-resolution coarse-to-fine search strategy. Using pyramid strategy to obtain multi-resolution images; Using iterative relationship from the highest level to the lowest level to obtain inter-frames' affine parameters; Subsequence frames compensate back to the first frame to obtain stabilized sequence. The experiment results demonstrate that the promoted method has good performance in global motion estimation.

Optical resonance imaging: An optical analog to MRI with sub-diffraction-limited capabilities.

PubMed

Allodi, Marco A; Dahlberg, Peter D; Mazuski, Richard J; Davis, Hunter C; Otto, John P; Engel, Gregory S

2016-12-21

We propose here optical resonance imaging (ORI), a direct optical analog to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The proposed pulse sequence for ORI maps space to time and recovers an image from a heterodyne-detected third-order nonlinear photon echo measurement. As opposed to traditional photon echo measurements, the third pulse in the ORI pulse sequence has significant pulse-front tilt that acts as a temporal gradient. This gradient couples space to time by stimulating the emission of a photon echo signal from different lateral spatial locations of a sample at different times, providing a widefield ultrafast microscopy. We circumvent the diffraction limit of the optics by mapping the lateral spatial coordinate of the sample with the emission time of the signal, which can be measured to high precision using interferometric heterodyne detection. This technique is thus an optical analog of MRI, where magnetic-field gradients are used to localize the spin-echo emission to a point below the diffraction limit of the radio-frequency wave used. We calculate the expected ORI signal using 15 fs pulses and 87° of pulse-front tilt, collected using f /2 optics and find a two-point resolution 275 nm using 800 nm light that satisfies the Rayleigh criterion. We also derive a general equation for resolution in optical resonance imaging that indicates that there is a possibility of superresolution imaging using this technique. The photon echo sequence also enables spectroscopic determination of the input and output energy. The technique thus correlates the input energy with the final position and energy of the exciton.

Needle endomicroscope with a plastic, achromatic objective to perform optical biopsies of breast tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kyrish, Matthew; Dobbs, Jessica; Richards-Kortum, Rebecca; Tkaczyk, Tomasz

2013-03-01

In order to diagnose cancer in breast tissue, a sample must be removed, prepared, and examined under a microscope. To provide an alternative to conventional biopsies, an endomicroscope intended to perform optical biopsies is demonstrated. The system provides high resolution, high contrast images in real-time which could allow a diagnosis to be made during surgery without the need for tissue removal. Optical sectioning is achieved via structured illumination to reject out of focus light. An image is relayed between the sample plane and the imaging system by a coherent fiber bundle with an achromatized objective lens at the distal tip of the fiber bundle which is the diameter of a biopsy needle. The custom, plastic objective provides correction for both the excitation and emission wavelengths of proflavine (452 nm and 515 nm, respectively). It also magnifies the object onto the distal tip of the fiber bundle to increase lateral resolution. The lenses are composed of the optical plastics Zeonex E48R, PMMA, and polystyrene. The lenses are fabricated via single point diamond turning and assembled using a zero alignment technique. The lateral resolution and chromatic focal shift were measured and in vitro images of breast carcinoma cells stained with proflavine were captured. The optical biopsy system is able to achieve optical sectioning and to resolve smaller features than the current high resolution microendoscope.

Diffraction-limited real-time terahertz imaging by optical frequency up-conversion in a DAST crystal.

PubMed

Fan, Shuzhen; Qi, Feng; Notake, Takashi; Nawata, Kouji; Takida, Yuma; Matsukawa, Takeshi; Minamide, Hiroaki

2015-03-23

Real-time terahertz (THz) wave imaging has wide applications in areas such as security, industry, biology, medicine, pharmacy, and the arts. This report describes real-time room-temperature THz imaging by nonlinear optical frequency up-conversion in an organic 4-dimethylamino-N'-methyl-4'-stilbazolium tosylate (DAST) crystal, with high resolution reaching the diffraction limit. THz-wave images were converted to the near infrared region and then captured using an InGaAs camera in a tandem imaging system. The resolution of the imaging system was analyzed. Diffraction and interference of THz wave were observed in the experiments. Videos are supplied to show the interference pattern variation that occurs with sample moving and tilting.

Optical and morphological properties of Cirrus clouds determined by the high spectral resolution lidar during FIRE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grund, Christian John; Eloranta, Edwin W.

1990-01-01

Cirrus clouds reflect incoming solar radiation and trap outgoing terrestrial radiation; therefore, accurate estimation of the global energy balance depends upon knowledge of the optical and physical properties of these clouds. Scattering and absorption by cirrus clouds affect measurements made by many satellite-borne and ground based remote sensors. Scattering of ambient light by the cloud, and thermal emissions from the cloud can increase measurement background noise. Multiple scattering processes can adversely affect the divergence of optical beams propagating through these clouds. Determination of the optical thickness and the vertical and horizontal extent of cirrus clouds is necessary to the evaluation of all of these effects. Lidar can be an effective tool for investigating these properties. During the FIRE cirrus IFO in Oct. to Nov. 1986, the High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) was operated from a rooftop site on the campus of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Wisconsin. Approximately 124 hours of fall season data were acquired under a variety of cloud optical thickness conditions. Since the IFO, the HSRL data set was expanded by more than 63.5 hours of additional data acquired during all seasons. Measurements are presented for the range in optical thickness and backscattering phase function of the cirrus clouds, as well as contour maps of extinction corrected backscatter cross sections indicating cloud morphology. Color enhanced images of range-time indicator (RTI) displays a variety of cirrus clouds with approximately 30 sec time resolution are presented. The importance of extinction correction on the interpretation of cloud height and structure from lidar observations of optically thick cirrus are demonstrated.

A multichannel smartphone optical biosensor for high-throughput point-of-care diagnostics.

PubMed

Wang, Li-Ju; Chang, Yu-Chung; Sun, Rongrong; Li, Lei

2017-01-15

Current reported smartphone spectrometers are only used to monitor or measure one sample at a time. For the first time, we demonstrate a multichannel smartphone spectrometer (MSS) as an optical biosensor that can simultaneously optical sense multiple samples. In this work, we developed a novel method to achieve the multichannel optical spectral sensing with nanometer resolution on a smartphone. A 3D printed cradle held the smartphone integrated with optical components. This optical sensor performed accurate and reliable spectral measurements by optical intensity changes at specific wavelength or optical spectral shifts. A custom smartphone multi-view App was developed to control the optical sensing parameters and to align each sample to the corresponding channel. The captured images were converted to the transmission spectra in the visible wavelength range from 400nm to 700nm with the high resolution of 0.2521nm per pixel. We validated the performance of this MSS via measuring the concentrations of protein and immunoassaying a type of human cancer biomarker. Compared to the standard laboratory instrument, the results sufficiently showed that this MSS can achieve the comparative analysis detection limits, accuracy and sensitivity. We envision that this multichannel smartphone optical biosensor will be useful in high-throughput point-of-care diagnostics with its minimizing size, light weight, low cost and data transmission function. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Random-access optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy using a digital micromirror device

PubMed Central

Liang, Jinyang; Zhou, Yong; Winkler, Amy W.; Wang, Lidai; Maslov, Konstantin I.; Li, Chiye; Wang, Lihong V.

2013-01-01

We developed random-access optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy using a digital micromirror device. This system can rapidly scan arbitrarily shaped regions of interest within a 40×40 μm2 imaging area with a lateral resolution of 3.6 μm. To identify a region of interest, a global structural image is first acquired, then the selected region is scanned. The random-access ability was demonstrated by imaging two static samples, a carbon fiber cross and a monolayer of red blood cells, with an acquisition rate up to 4 kilohertz. The system was then used to monitor blood flow in vivo in real time within user-selected capillaries in a mouse ear. By imaging only the capillary of interest, the frame rate was increased by up to 9.2 times. PMID:23903111

Random-access optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy using a digital micromirror device.

PubMed

Liang, Jinyang; Zhou, Yong; Winkler, Amy W; Wang, Lidai; Maslov, Konstantin I; Li, Chiye; Wang, Lihong V

2013-08-01

We developed random-access optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy using a digital micromirror device. This system can rapidly scan arbitrarily shaped regions of interest within a 40 μm×40 μm imaging area with a lateral resolution of 3.6 μm. To identify a region of interest, a global structural image is first acquired, then the selected region is scanned. The random-access ability was demonstrated by imaging two static samples, a carbon fiber cross and a monolayer of red blood cells, with an acquisition rate up to 4 kHz. The system was then used to monitor blood flow in vivo in real time within user-selected capillaries in a mouse ear. By imaging only the capillary of interest, the frame rate was increased by up to 9.2 times.

Basic performance evaluation of a Si-PM array-based LGSO phoswich DOI block detector for a high-resolution small animal PET system.

PubMed

Yamamoto, Seiichi

2013-07-01

The silicon photomultiplier (Si-PM) is a promising photodetector for PET. However, it remains unclear whether Si-PM can be used for a depth-of-interaction (DOI) detector based on the decay time differences of the scintillator where pulse shape analysis is used. For clarification, we tested the Hamamatsu 4 × 4 Si-PM array (S11065-025P) combined with scintillators that used different decay times to develop DOI block detectors using the pulse shape analysis. First, Ce-doped Gd(2)SiO(5) (GSO) scintillators of 0.5 mol% Ce were arranged in a 4 × 4 matrix and were optically coupled to the center of each pixel of the Si-PM array for measurement of the energy resolution as well as its gain variations according to the temperature. Then two types of Ce-doped Lu(1.9)Gd(0.1)Si0(5) (LGSO) scintillators, 0.025 mol% Ce (decay time: ~31 ns) and 0.75 mol% Ce (decay time: ~46 ns), were optically coupled in the DOI direction, arranged in a 11 × 7 matrix, and optically coupled to a Si-PM array for testing of the possibility of a high-resolution DOI detector. The energy resolution of the Si-PM array-based GSO block detector was 18 ± 4.4 % FWHM for a Cs-137 gamma source (662 keV). Less than 1 mm crystals were clearly resolved in the position map of the LGSO DOI block detector. The peak-to-valley ratio (P/V) derived from the pulse shape spectra of the LGSO DOI block detector was 2.2. These results confirmed that Si-PM array-based DOI block detectors are promising for high-resolution small animal PET systems.

X-Ray Optics: Past, Present, and Future

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, William W.

2010-01-01

X-ray astronomy started with a small collimated proportional counter atop a rocket in the early 1960s. It was immediately recognized that focusing X-ray optics would drastically improve both source location accuracy and source detection sensitivity. In the past 5 decades, X-ray astronomy has made significant strides in achieving better angular resolution, large photon collection area, and better spectral and timing resolutions, culminating in the three currently operating X-ray observatories: Chandra, XMM/Newton, and Suzaku. In this talk I will give a brief history of X-ray optics, concentrating on the characteristics of the optics of these three observatories. Then I will discuss current X-ray mirror technologies being developed in several institutions. I will end with a discussion of the optics for the International X-ray Observatory that I have been developing at Goddard Space Flight Center.

Research and Simulation in Support of Near Real Time/Real Time Reconnaissance RPV Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-06-01

Image 4,5.2 Raster Lines Across Image 4.5.3 Angle Projected by Displayed Image 4.6 Optical Defocusing SIMULATION CONSIDERATIONS PAGE 162 162 162...television and infrared, there are a finite number of resolution elements across the format. As a consequence, selection of a shorter optical focal...light that is scanned across and down the CRT to form a raster similar to that seen in a standard television tube. The light is optically projected

Submicron-resolution photoacoustic microscopy of endogenous light-absorbing biomolecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Chi

Photoacoustic imaging in biomedicine has the unique advantage of probing endogenous light absorbers at various length scales with a 100% relative sensitivity. Among the several modalities of photoacoustic imaging, optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) can achieve high spatial resolution, on the order of optical wavelength, at <1 mm depth in biological tissue (the optical ballistic regime). OR-PAM has been applied successfully to structural and functional imaging of blood vasculature and red blood cells in vivo. Any molecules which absorb sufficient light at certain wavelengths can potentially be imaged by PAM. Compared with pure optical imaging, which typically targets fluorescent markers, label-free PAM avoids the major concerns that the fluorescent labeling probes may disturb the function of biomolecules and may have an insufficient density. This dissertation aims to advance label-free OR-PAM to the subcellular scale. The first part of this dissertation describes the technological advancement of PAM yielding high spatial resolution in 3D. The lateral resolution was improved by using optical objectives with high numerical apertures for optical focusing. The axial resolution was improved by using broadband ultrasonic transducers for ultrasound detection. We achieved 220 nm lateral resolution in transmission mode, 0.43 microm lateral resolution in reflection mode, 7.6 microm axial resolution in normal tissue, and 5.8 microm axial resolution with silicone oil immersion/injection. The achieved lateral resolution and axial resolution were the finest reported at the time. With high-resolution in 3D, PAM was demonstrated to resolve cellular and subcellular structures in vivo, such as red blood cells and melanosomes in melanoma cells. Compared with previous PAM systems, our high-resolution PAM could resolve capillaries in mouse ears more clearly. As an example application, we demonstrated intracellular temperature imaging, assisted by fluorescence signal detection, with sub-degree temperature resolution and sub-micron lateral resolution. The second part of this dissertation describes the exploration of endogenous light-absorbing biomolecules for PAM. We demonstrated cytochromes and myoglobin as new absorption contrasts for PAM and identified the corresponding optimal wavelengths for imaging. Fixed fibroblasts on slides and mouse ear sections were imaged by PAM at 422 nm and 250 nm wavelengths to reveal cytoplasms and nuclei, respectively, as confirmed by standard hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) histology. By imaging a blood-perfused mouse heart at 532 nm down to 150 microm in depth, we derived the myocardial sheet thickness and the cleavage height from an undehydrated heart for the first time. The findings promote PAM at new wavelengths and open up new possibilities for characterizing biological tissue. Of particular interest, dual-wavelength PAM around 250 nm and 420 nm wavelengths is analogous to H&E histology. The last part of this dissertation describes the development of sectioning photoacoustic microscopy (SPAM), based on the advancement in spatial resolution and new contrasts for PAM, with applications in brain histology. Label-free SPAM, assisted by a microtome, acquires serial distortion-free images of a specimen on the surface. By exciting cell nuclei at 266 nm wavelength with high resolution, SPAM could pinpoint cell nuclei sensitively and specifically in the mouse brain section, as confirmed by H&E histology. SPAM was demonstrated to generate high-resolution 3D images, highlighting cell nuclei, of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded mouse brains without tissue staining or clearing. SPAM can potentially serve as a high-throughput and minimal-artifact substitute for histology, probe many other biomolecules and cells, and become a universal tool for animal or human whole-organ microscopy, with diverse applications in life sciences.

Improving lateral resolution and image quality of optical coherence tomography by the multi-frame superresolution technique for 3D tissue imaging.

PubMed

Shen, Kai; Lu, Hui; Baig, Sarfaraz; Wang, Michael R

2017-11-01

The multi-frame superresolution technique is introduced to significantly improve the lateral resolution and image quality of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Using several sets of low resolution C-scan 3D images with lateral sub-spot-spacing shifts on different sets, the multi-frame superresolution processing of these sets at each depth layer reconstructs a higher resolution and quality lateral image. Layer by layer processing yields an overall high lateral resolution and quality 3D image. In theory, the superresolution processing including deconvolution can solve the diffraction limit, lateral scan density and background noise problems together. In experiment, the improved lateral resolution by ~3 times reaching 7.81 µm and 2.19 µm using sample arm optics of 0.015 and 0.05 numerical aperture respectively as well as doubling the image quality has been confirmed by imaging a known resolution test target. Improved lateral resolution on in vitro skin C-scan images has been demonstrated. For in vivo 3D SD-OCT imaging of human skin, fingerprint and retina layer, we used the multi-modal volume registration method to effectively estimate the lateral image shifts among different C-scans due to random minor unintended live body motion. Further processing of these images generated high lateral resolution 3D images as well as high quality B-scan images of these in vivo tissues.

Phase-based, high spatial resolution and distributed, static and dynamic strain sensing using Brillouin dynamic gratings in optical fibers.

PubMed

Bergman, Arik; Langer, Tomi; Tur, Moshe

2017-03-06

A novel technique combining Brillouin phase-shift measurements with Brillouin dynamic gratings (BDGs) reflectometry in polarization-maintaining fibers is presented here for the first time. While a direct measurement of the optical phase in standard BDG setups is impractical due to non-local phase contributions, their detrimental effect is reduced by ~4 orders of magnitude through the coherent addition of Stokes and anti-Stokes reflections from two counter-propagating BDGs in the fiber. The technique advantageously combines the high-spatial-resolution of BDGs reflectometry with the increased tolerance to optical power fluctuations of phasorial measurements, to enhance the performance of fiber-optic strain sensors. We demonstrate a distributed measurement (20cm spatial-resolution) of both static and dynamic (5kHz of vibrations at a sampling rate of 1MHz) strain fields acting on the fiber, in good agreement with theory and (for the static case) with the results of commercial reflectometers.

Asymmetric-detection time-stretch optical microscopy (ATOM) for ultrafast high-contrast cellular imaging in flow

PubMed Central

Wong, Terence T. W.; Lau, Andy K. S.; Ho, Kenneth K. Y.; Tang, Matthew Y. H.; Robles, Joseph D. F.; Wei, Xiaoming; Chan, Antony C. S.; Tang, Anson H. L.; Lam, Edmund Y.; Wong, Kenneth K. Y.; Chan, Godfrey C. F.; Shum, Ho Cheung; Tsia, Kevin K.

2014-01-01

Accelerating imaging speed in optical microscopy is often realized at the expense of image contrast, image resolution, and detection sensitivity – a common predicament for advancing high-speed and high-throughput cellular imaging. We here demonstrate a new imaging approach, called asymmetric-detection time-stretch optical microscopy (ATOM), which can deliver ultrafast label-free high-contrast flow imaging with well delineated cellular morphological resolution and in-line optical image amplification to overcome the compromised imaging sensitivity at high speed. We show that ATOM can separately reveal the enhanced phase-gradient and absorption contrast in microfluidic live-cell imaging at a flow speed as high as ~10 m/s, corresponding to an imaging throughput of ~100,000 cells/sec. ATOM could thus be the enabling platform to meet the pressing need for intercalating optical microscopy in cellular assay, e.g. imaging flow cytometry – permitting high-throughput access to the morphological information of the individual cells simultaneously with a multitude of parameters obtained in the standard assay. PMID:24413677

Landsat Time-Series Analysis Opens New Approaches for Regional Glacier Mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winsvold, S. H.; Kääb, A.; Nuth, C.; Altena, B.

2016-12-01

The archive of Landsat satellite scenes is important for mapping of glaciers, especially as it represents the longest running and continuous satellite record of sufficient resolution to track glacier changes over time. Contributing optical sensors newly launched (Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2A) or upcoming in the near future (Sentinel-2B), will promote very high temporal resolution of optical satellite images especially in high-latitude regions. Because of the potential that lies within such near-future dense time series, methods for mapping glaciers from space should be revisited. We present application scenarios that utilize and explore dense time series of optical data for automatic mapping of glacier outlines and glacier facies. Throughout the season, glaciers display a temporal sequence of properties in optical reflection as the seasonal snow melts away, and glacier ice appears in the ablation area and firn in the accumulation area. In one application scenario presented we simulated potential future seasonal resolution using several years of Landsat 5TM/7ETM+ data, and found a sinusoidal evolution of the spectral reflectance for on-glacier pixels throughout a year. We believe this is because of the short wave infrared band and its sensitivity to snow grain size. The parameters retrieved from the fitting sinus curve can be used for glacier mapping purposes, thus we also found similar results using e.g. the mean of summer band ratio images. In individual optical mapping scenes, conditions will vary (e.g., snow, ice, and clouds) and will not be equally optimal over the entire scene. Using robust statistics on stacked pixels reveals a potential for synthesizing optimal mapping scenes from a temporal stack, as we present in a further application scenario. The dense time series available from satellite imagery will also promote multi-temporal and multi-sensor based analyses. The seasonal pattern of snow and ice on a glacier seen in the optical time series can in the summer season also be observed using radar backscatter series. Optical sensors reveal the reflective properties at the surface, while radar sensors may penetrate the surface revealing properties from a certain volume.In an outlook to this contribution we have explored how we can combine information from SAR and optical sensor systems for different purposes.

Comparison between two time-resolved approaches for prostate cancer diagnosis: high rate imager vs. photon counting system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boutet, J.; Debourdeau, M.; Laidevant, A.; Hervé, L.; Dinten, J.-M.

2010-02-01

Finding a way to combine ultrasound and fluorescence optical imaging on an endorectal probe may improve early detection of prostate cancer. A trans-rectal probe adapted to fluorescence diffuse optical tomography measurements was developed by our team. This probe is based on a pulsed NIR laser source, an optical fiber network and a time-resolved detection system. A reconstruction algorithm was used to help locate and quantify fluorescent prostate tumors. In this study, two different kinds of time-resolved detectors are compared: High Rate Imaging system (HRI) and a photon counting system. The HRI is based on an intensified multichannel plate and a CCD Camera. The temporal resolution is obtained through a gating of the HRI. Despite a low temporal resolution (300ps), this system allows a simultaneous acquisition of the signal from a large number of detection fibers. In the photon counting setup, 4 photomultipliers are connected to a Time Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) board, providing a better temporal resolution (0.1 ps) at the expense of a limited number of detection fibers (4). At last, we show that the limited number of detection fibers of the photon counting setup is enough for a good localization and dramatically improves the overall acquisition time. The photon counting approach is then validated through the localization of fluorescent inclusions in a prostate-mimicking phantom.

The scale dependence of optical diversity in a prairie ecosystem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gamon, J. A.; Wang, R.; Stilwell, A.; Zygielbaum, A. I.; Cavender-Bares, J.; Townsend, P. A.

2015-12-01

Biodiversity loss, one of the most crucial challenges of our time, endangers ecosystem services that maintain human wellbeing. Traditional methods of measuring biodiversity require extensive and costly field sampling by biologists with extensive experience in species identification. Remote sensing can be used for such assessment based upon patterns of optical variation. This provides efficient and cost-effective means to determine ecosystem diversity at different scales and over large areas. Sampling scale has been described as a "fundamental conceptual problem" in ecology, and is an important practical consideration in both remote sensing and traditional biodiversity studies. On the one hand, with decreasing spatial and spectral resolution, the differences among different optical types may become weak or even disappear. Alternately, high spatial and/or spectral resolution may introduce redundant or contradictory information. For example, at high resolution, the variation within optical types (e.g., between leaves on a single plant canopy) may add complexity unrelated to specie richness. We studied the scale-dependence of optical diversity in a prairie ecosystem at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, Minnesota, USA using a variety of spectrometers from several platforms on the ground and in the air. Using the coefficient of variation (CV) of spectra as an indicator of optical diversity, we found that high richness plots generally have a higher coefficient of variation. High resolution imaging spectrometer data (1 mm pixels) showed the highest sensitivity to richness level. With decreasing spatial resolution, the difference in CV between richness levels decreased, but remained significant. These findings can be used to guide airborne studies of biodiversity and develop more effective large-scale biodiversity sampling methods.

Determining seagrass abundance in southern New England waters using high resolution remotely sensed imagery

EPA Science Inventory

Advances in understanding the optics of shallow water environments, submerged vegetation canopies and seagrass physiology, combined with improved spatial resolution of remote sensing platforms, now enable eelgrass ecosystems to be monitored at a variety of time scales from earth-...

Design of hybrid optical delay line for automotive radar test system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Son, Byung-Hee; Kim, Kwang-Jin; Li, Ye; Park, Chang-In; Choi, Young-Wan

2015-03-01

In this paper, hybrid optical delay line (HODL) which is demanded on automotive radar test system (RTS) is proposed and demonstrated. HODL is composed with coaxial cable in short delay time (< 32 nsec) and optical fiber in long delay time (>= 32 nsec) which are considering the volume, loss and frequency characteristics. Also, the optical transceiver that has the bandwidth of 1 GHz is designed for frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW). Experimental results show that the S21 is +/- 0.5 dB in the optical transceiver and +/- 1.7 dB in the whole system at 3.7 GHz ~ 4.7 GHz. The resolution of delay time is 1 ns and the delay flatness is +/- 0.23 ns.

Adaptive Optics for the Human Eye

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, D. R.

2000-05-01

Adaptive optics can extend not only the resolution of ground-based telescopes, but also the human eye. Both static and dynamic aberrations in the cornea and lens of the normal eye limit its optical quality. Though it is possible to correct defocus and astigmatism with spectacle lenses, higher order aberrations remain. These aberrations blur vision and prevent us from seeing at the fundamental limits set by the retina and brain. They also limit the resolution of cameras to image the living retina, cameras that are a critical for the diagnosis and treatment of retinal disease. I will describe an adaptive optics system that measures the wave aberration of the eye in real time and compensates for it with a deformable mirror, endowing the human eye with unprecedented optical quality. This instrument provides fresh insight into the ultimate limits on human visual acuity, reveals for the first time images of the retinal cone mosaic responsible for color vision, and points the way to contact lenses and laser surgical methods that could enhance vision beyond what is currently possible today. Supported by the NSF Science and Technology Center for Adaptive Optics, the National Eye Institute, and Bausch and Lomb, Inc.

Novel electro-optical coupling technique for magnetic resonance-compatible positron emission tomography detectors.

PubMed

Olcott, Peter D; Peng, Hao; Levin, Craig S

2009-01-01

A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible positron emission tomography (PET) detector design is being developed that uses electro-optical coupling to bring the amplitude and arrival time information of high-speed PET detector scintillation pulses out of an MRI system. The electro-optical coupling technology consists of a magnetically insensitive photodetector output signal connected to a nonmagnetic vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) diode that is coupled to a multimode optical fiber. This scheme essentially acts as an optical wire with no influence on the MRI system. To test the feasibility of this approach, a lutetium-yttrium oxyorthosilicate crystal coupled to a single pixel of a solid-state photomultiplier array was placed in coincidence with a lutetium oxyorthosilicate crystal coupled to a fast photomultiplier tube with both the new nonmagnetic VCSEL coupling and the standard coaxial cable signal transmission scheme. No significant change was observed in 511 keV photopeak energy resolution and coincidence time resolution. This electro-optical coupling technology enables an MRI-compatible PET block detector to have a reduced electromagnetic footprint compared with the signal transmission schemes deployed in the current MRI/PET designs.

Continuum generation in optical fibers for high-resolution holographic coherence domain imaging application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Linghui; Gruzdev, Vitaly; Yu, Ping; Chen, J. K.

2009-02-01

High pulse energy continuum generation in conventional multimode optical fibers has been studied for potential applications to a holographic optical coherence imaging system. As a new imaging modality for the biological tissue imaging, high-resolution holographic optical coherence imaging requires a broadband light source with a high brightness, a relatively low spatial coherence and a high stability. A broadband femtosecond laser can not be used as the light source of holographic imaging system since the laser creates a lot of speckle patterns. By coupling high peak power femtosecond laser pulses into a multimode optical fiber, nonlinear optical effects cause a continuum generation that can be served as a super-bright and broadband light source. In our experiment, an amplified femtosecond laser was coupled into the fiber through a microscopic objective. We measured the FWHM of the continuum generation as a function of incident pulse energy from 80 nJ to 800 μJ. The maximum FWHM is about 8 times higher than that of the input pulses. The stability was analyzed at different pump energies, integration times and fiber lengths. The spectral broadening and peak position show that more than two processes compete in the fiber.

High pulse rate high resolution optical radar system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goss, W. C.; Burns, R. H.; Chi, K. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

The system is composed of an optical cavity with a laser and a mode locking means to build up an optical pulse. An optical switch is also provided within the cavity to convert the polarization of the optical pulse generated within the cavity. The optical switch comprises an electro-optical crystal driven by a time delayed driver circuit which is triggered by a coincident signal made from an optical pulse signal and a gating pulse signal. The converted optical pulse strikes a polarization sensitive prism and is deflected out of the cavity toward the pending target in the form of a pulse containing most of the optical energy generated by the laser in the pulse build-up period. After striking the target, the reflected energy is picked up by a transceiver with the total travel time of the pulse being recorded.

Ballistic and snake photon imaging for locating optical endomicroscopy fibres

PubMed Central

Tanner, M. G.; Choudhary, T. R.; Craven, T. H.; Mills, B.; Bradley, M.; Henderson, R. K.; Dhaliwal, K.; Thomson, R. R.

2017-01-01

We demonstrate determination of the location of the distal-end of a fibre-optic device deep in tissue through the imaging of ballistic and snake photons using a time resolved single-photon detector array. The fibre was imaged with centimetre resolution, within clinically relevant settings and models. This technique can overcome the limitations imposed by tissue scattering in optically determining the in vivo location of fibre-optic medical instruments. PMID:28966848

Adaptive-optics optical coherence tomography processing using a graphics processing unit.

PubMed

Shafer, Brandon A; Kriske, Jeffery E; Kocaoglu, Omer P; Turner, Timothy L; Liu, Zhuolin; Lee, John Jaehwan; Miller, Donald T

2014-01-01

Graphics processing units are increasingly being used for scientific computing for their powerful parallel processing abilities, and moderate price compared to super computers and computing grids. In this paper we have used a general purpose graphics processing unit to process adaptive-optics optical coherence tomography (AOOCT) images in real time. Increasing the processing speed of AOOCT is an essential step in moving the super high resolution technology closer to clinical viability.

Optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy using novel high-repetition-rate passively Q-switched microchip and fiber lasers.

PubMed

Shi, Wei; Kerr, Shaun; Utkin, Ilya; Ranasinghesagara, Janaka; Pan, Lei; Godwal, Yogesh; Zemp, Roger J; Fedosejevs, Robert

2010-01-01

Optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) is a novel imaging technology for visualizing optically absorbing superficial structures in vivo with lateral spatial resolution determined by optical focusing rather than acoustic detection. Since scanning of the illumination spot is required, OR-PAM imaging speed is limited by both scanning speed and laser pulse repetition rate. Unfortunately, lasers with high repetition rates and suitable pulse durations and energies are not widely available and can be cost-prohibitive and bulky. We are developing compact, passively Q-switched fiber and microchip laser sources for this application. The properties of these lasers are discussed, and pulse repetition rates up to 100 kHz are demonstrated. OR-PAM imaging was conducted using a previously developed photoacoustic probe, which enabled flexible scanning of the focused output of the lasers. Phantom studies demonstrate the ability to image with lateral spatial resolution of 7±2 μm with the microchip laser system and 15±5 μm with the fiber laser system. We believe that the high pulse repetition rates and the potentially compact and fiber-coupled nature of these lasers will prove important for clinical imaging applications where real-time imaging performance is essential.

Adaptive Optics Optical Coherence Tomography in Glaucoma

PubMed Central

Dong, Zachary M.; Wollstein, Gadi; Wang, Bo; Schuman, Joel S.

2016-01-01

Since the introduction of commercial optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems, the ophthalmic imaging modality has rapidly expanded and it has since changed the paradigm of visualization of the retina and revolutionized the management and diagnosis of neuro-retinal diseases, including glaucoma. OCT remains a dynamic and evolving imaging modality, growing from time-domain OCT to the improved spectral-domain OCT, adapting novel image analysis and processing methods, and onto the newer swept-source OCT and the implementation of adaptive optics (AO) into OCT. The incorporation of AO into ophthalmic imaging modalities has enhanced OCT by improving image resolution and quality, particularly in the posterior segment of the eye. Although OCT previously captured in-vivo cross-sectional images with unparalleled high resolution in the axial direction, monochromatic aberrations of the eye limit transverse or lateral resolution to about 15-20 μm and reduce overall image quality. In pairing AO technology with OCT, it is now possible to obtain diffraction-limited resolution images of the optic nerve head and retina in three-dimensions, increasing resolution down to a theoretical 3 μm3. It is now possible to visualize discrete structures within the posterior eye, such as photoreceptors, retinal nerve fiber layer bundles, the lamina cribrosa, and other structures relevant to glaucoma. Despite its limitations and barriers to widespread commercialization, the expanding role of AO in OCT is propelling this technology into clinical trials and onto becoming an invaluable modality in the clinician's arsenal. PMID:27916682

Ultrafast time-stretch imaging at 932 nm through a new highly-dispersive fiber

PubMed Central

Wei, Xiaoming; Kong, Cihang; Sy, Samuel; Ko, Ho; Tsia, Kevin K.; Wong, Kenneth K. Y.

2016-01-01

Optical glass fiber has played a key role in the development of modern optical communication and attracted the biotechnology researcher’s great attention because of its properties, such as the wide bandwidth, low attenuation and superior flexibility. For ultrafast optical imaging, particularly, it has been utilized to perform MHz time-stretch imaging with diffraction-limited resolutions, which is also known as serial time-encoded amplified microscopy (STEAM). Unfortunately, time-stretch imaging with dispersive fibers has so far mostly been demonstrated at the optical communication window of 1.5 μm due to lack of efficient dispersive optical fibers operating at the shorter wavelengths, particularly at the bio-favorable window, i.e., <1.0 μm. Through fiber-optic engineering, here we demonstrate a 7.6-MHz dual-color time-stretch optical imaging at bio-favorable wavelengths of 932 nm and 466 nm. The sensitivity at such a high speed is experimentally identified in a slow data-streaming manner. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that all-optical time-stretch imaging at ultrahigh speed, high sensitivity and high chirping rate (>1 ns/nm) has been demonstrated at a bio-favorable wavelength window through fiber-optic engineering. PMID:28018737

Ultrafast time-stretch imaging at 932 nm through a new highly-dispersive fiber.

PubMed

Wei, Xiaoming; Kong, Cihang; Sy, Samuel; Ko, Ho; Tsia, Kevin K; Wong, Kenneth K Y

2016-12-01

Optical glass fiber has played a key role in the development of modern optical communication and attracted the biotechnology researcher's great attention because of its properties, such as the wide bandwidth, low attenuation and superior flexibility. For ultrafast optical imaging, particularly, it has been utilized to perform MHz time-stretch imaging with diffraction-limited resolutions, which is also known as serial time-encoded amplified microscopy (STEAM). Unfortunately, time-stretch imaging with dispersive fibers has so far mostly been demonstrated at the optical communication window of 1.5 μm due to lack of efficient dispersive optical fibers operating at the shorter wavelengths, particularly at the bio-favorable window, i.e., <1.0 μm. Through fiber-optic engineering, here we demonstrate a 7.6-MHz dual-color time-stretch optical imaging at bio-favorable wavelengths of 932 nm and 466 nm. The sensitivity at such a high speed is experimentally identified in a slow data-streaming manner. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that all-optical time-stretch imaging at ultrahigh speed, high sensitivity and high chirping rate (>1 ns/nm) has been demonstrated at a bio-favorable wavelength window through fiber-optic engineering.

Distributed temperature and strain discrimination with stimulated brillouin scattering and rayleigh backscatter in an optical fiber.

PubMed

Zhou, Da-Peng; Li, Wenhai; Chen, Liang; Bao, Xiaoyi

2013-01-31

A distributed optical fiber sensor with the capability of simultaneously measuring temperature and strain is proposed using a large effective area non-zero dispersion shifted fiber (LEAF) with sub-meter spatial resolution. The Brillouin frequency shift is measured using Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA) with differential pulse-width pair technique, while the spectrum shift of the Rayleigh backscatter is measured using optical frequency-domain reflectometry (OFDR). These shifts are the functions of both temperature and strain, and can be used as two independent parameters for the discrimination of temperature and strain. A 92 m measurable range with the spatial resolution of 50 cm is demonstrated experimentally, and accuracies of ±1.2 °C in temperature and ±15 με in strain could be achieved.

All-optical endoscopic probe for high resolution 3D photoacoustic tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ansari, R.; Zhang, E.; Desjardins, A. E.; Beard, P. C.

2017-03-01

A novel all-optical forward-viewing photoacoustic probe using a flexible coherent fibre-optic bundle and a Fabry- Perot (FP) ultrasound sensor has been developed. The fibre bundle, along with the FP sensor at its distal end, synthesizes a high density 2D array of wideband ultrasound detectors. Photoacoustic waves arriving at the sensor are spatially mapped by optically scanning the proximal end face of the bundle in 2D with a CW wavelength-tunable interrogation laser. 3D images are formed from the detected signals using a time-reversal image reconstruction algorithm. The system has been characterized in terms of its PSF, noise-equivalent pressure and field of view. Finally, the high resolution 3D imaging capability has been demonstrated using arbitrary shaped phantoms and duck embryo.

Optical mapping system with real-time control capability.

PubMed

Iravanian, Shahriar; Christini, David J

2007-10-01

Real-time, closed-loop intervention is an emerging experiment-control method that promises to provide invaluable new insight into cardiac electrophysiology. One example is the investigation of closed-loop feedback control of cardiac activity (e.g., alternans) as a possible method of preventing arrhythmia onset. To date, such methods have been investigated only in vitro using microelectrode systems, which are hindered by poor spatial resolution and are not well suited for atrial or ventricular tissue preparations. We have developed a system that uses optical mapping techniques and an electrical stimulator as the sensory and effector arms, respectively, of a closed-loop, real-time control system. The system consists of a 2,048 x 1 pixel line-scan charge-coupled device camera that records optical signals from the tissue. Custom-image processing and control software, which is implemented on top of a hard real-time operation system (RTAI Linux), process the data and make control decisions with a deterministic delay of <1 ms. The system is tested in two ways: 1) it is used to control, in real time, simulated optical signals of electrical alternans; and 2) it uses precisely timed, feedback-controlled initiation of antitachycardia pacing to terminate reentrant arrhythmias in an arterially perfused swine right ventricle stained with voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye 4{beta-[2-(di-n-butylamino)-6-napathy]vinyl}pyridinium (di-4-ANEPPS). Thus real-time control of cardiac activity using optical mapping techniques is feasible. Such a system is attractive because it offers greater measurement resolution than the electrode-based systems with which real-time control has been used previously.

Time-resolved wide-field optically sectioned fluorescence microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dupuis, Guillaume; Benabdallah, Nadia; Chopinaud, Aurélien; Mayet, Céline; Lévêque-Fort, Sandrine

2013-02-01

We present the implementation of a fast wide-field optical sectioning technique called HiLo microscopy on a fluorescence lifetime imaging microscope. HiLo microscopy is based on the fusion of two images, one with structured illumination and another with uniform illumination. Optically sectioned images are then digitally generated thanks to a fusion algorithm. HiLo images are comparable in quality with confocal images but they can be acquired faster over larger fields of view. We obtain 4D imaging by combining HiLo optical sectioning, time-gated detection, and z-displacement. We characterize the performances of this set-up in terms of 3D spatial resolution and time-resolved capabilities in both fixed- and live-cell imaging modes.

Time multiplexing based extended depth of focus imaging.

PubMed

Ilovitsh, Asaf; Zalevsky, Zeev

2016-01-01

We propose to utilize the time multiplexing super resolution method to extend the depth of focus of an imaging system. In standard time multiplexing, the super resolution is achieved by generating duplication of the optical transfer function in the spectrum domain, by the use of moving gratings. While this improves the spatial resolution, it does not increase the depth of focus. By changing the gratings frequency and, by that changing the duplication positions, it is possible to obtain an extended depth of focus. The proposed method is presented analytically, demonstrated via numerical simulations and validated by a laboratory experiment.

Multifocal Fluorescence Microscope for Fast Optical Recordings of Neuronal Action Potentials

PubMed Central

Shtrahman, Matthew; Aharoni, Daniel B.; Hardy, Nicholas F.; Buonomano, Dean V.; Arisaka, Katsushi; Otis, Thomas S.

2015-01-01

In recent years, optical sensors for tracking neural activity have been developed and offer great utility. However, developing microscopy techniques that have several kHz bandwidth necessary to reliably capture optically reported action potentials (APs) at multiple locations in parallel remains a significant challenge. To our knowledge, we describe a novel microscope optimized to measure spatially distributed optical signals with submillisecond and near diffraction-limit resolution. Our design uses a spatial light modulator to generate patterned illumination to simultaneously excite multiple user-defined targets. A galvanometer driven mirror in the emission path streaks the fluorescence emanating from each excitation point during the camera exposure, using unused camera pixels to capture time varying fluorescence at rates that are ∼1000 times faster than the camera’s native frame rate. We demonstrate that this approach is capable of recording Ca2+ transients resulting from APs in neurons labeled with the Ca2+ sensor Oregon Green Bapta-1 (OGB-1), and can localize the timing of these events with millisecond resolution. Furthermore, optically reported APs can be detected with the voltage sensitive dye DiO-DPA in multiple locations within a neuron with a signal/noise ratio up to ∼40, resolving delays in arrival time along dendrites. Thus, the microscope provides a powerful tool for photometric measurements of dynamics requiring submillisecond sampling at multiple locations. PMID:25650920

Optical Coherence Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aguirre, Aaron D.; Zhou, Chao; Lee, Hsiang-Chieh; Ahsen, Osman O.; Fujimoto, James G.

Cellular imaging of human tissues remains an important advance for many clinical applications of optical coherence tomography (OCT). Imaging cells with traditional OCT systems has not been possible due to the limited transverse resolution of such techniques. Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) refers to OCT methods that achieve high transverse resolution to visualize cells and subcellular features. This chapter provides a comprehensive discussion of the rationale for cellular imaging in human tissues as well as a review of the key technological advances required to achieve it. Time domain and Fourier domain OCM approaches are described with an emphasis on state of the art system designs, including miniaturized endoscopic imaging probes. Clinical applications are discussed and multiple examples of cellular imaging in human tissues are provided.

Design and evaluation of an ultra-slim objective for in-vivo deep optical biopsy

PubMed Central

Landau, Sara M.; Liang, Chen; Kester, Robert T.; Tkaczyk, Tomasz S.; Descour, Michael R.

2010-01-01

An estimated 1.6 million breast biopsies are performed in the US each year. In order to provide real-time, in-vivo imaging with sub-cellular resolution for optical biopsies, we have designed an ultra-slim objective to fit inside the 1-mm-diameter hypodermic needles currently used for breast biopsies to image tissue stained by the fluorescent probe proflavine. To ensure high-quality imaging performance, experimental tests were performed to characterize fiber bundle’s light-coupling efficiency and simulations were performed to evaluate the impact of candidate lens materials’ autofluorescence. A prototype of NA = 0.4, 250-µm field of view, ultra-slim objective optics was built and tested, yielding diffraction-limited performance and estimated resolution of 0.9 µm. When used in conjunction with a commercial coherent fiber bundle to relay the image formed by the objective, the measured resolution was 2.5 µm. PMID:20389489

High resolution tip-tilt positioning system for a next generation MLL-based x-ray microscope

DOE PAGES

Xu, Weihe; Schlossberger, Noah; Xu, Wei; ...

2017-11-15

Multilayer Laue lenses (MLLs) are x-ray focusing optics with the potential to focus hard x-rays down to a single nanometer level. In order to achieve point focus, an MLL microscope needs to have the capability to perform tip-tilt motion of MLL optics and to hold the angular position for an extended period of time. Here, we present a 2D tip-tilt system that can achieve an angular resolution of over 100 microdegree with a working range of 4°, by utilizing a combination of laser interferometer and mini retroreflector. The linear dimensions of the developed system are about 30 mm in allmore » directions, and the thermal dissipation of the system during operation is negligible. Compact design and high angular resolution make the developed system suitable for MLL optics alignment in the next generation of MLL-based x-ray microscopes.« less

High resolution tip-tilt positioning system for a next generation MLL-based x-ray microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Weihe; Schlossberger, Noah; Xu, Wei

Multilayer Laue lenses (MLLs) are x-ray focusing optics with the potential to focus hard x-rays down to a single nanometer level. In order to achieve point focus, an MLL microscope needs to have the capability to perform tip-tilt motion of MLL optics and to hold the angular position for an extended period of time. Here, we present a 2D tip-tilt system that can achieve an angular resolution of over 100 microdegree with a working range of 4°, by utilizing a combination of laser interferometer and mini retroreflector. The linear dimensions of the developed system are about 30 mm in allmore » directions, and the thermal dissipation of the system during operation is negligible. Compact design and high angular resolution make the developed system suitable for MLL optics alignment in the next generation of MLL-based x-ray microscopes.« less

Real-time Fourier transformation of lightwave spectra and application in optical reflectometry.

PubMed

Malacarne, Antonio; Park, Yongwoo; Li, Ming; LaRochelle, Sophie; Azaña, José

2015-12-14

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a fiber-optics scheme for real-time analog Fourier transform (FT) of a lightwave energy spectrum, such that the output signal maps the FT of the spectrum of interest along the time axis. This scheme avoids the need for analog-to-digital conversion and subsequent digital signal post-processing of the photo-detected spectrum, thus being capable of providing the desired FT processing directly in the optical domain at megahertz update rates. The proposed concept is particularly attractive for applications requiring FT analysis of optical spectra, such as in many optical Fourier-domain reflectrometry (OFDR), interferometry, spectroscopy and sensing systems. Examples are reported to illustrate the use of the method for real-time OFDR, where the target axial-line profile is directly observed in a single-shot oscilloscope trace, similarly to a time-of-flight measurement, but with a resolution and depth of range dictated by the underlying interferometry scheme.

Sub-10 fs Time-Resolved Vibronic Optical Microscopy

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

We introduce femtosecond wide-field transient absorption microscopy combining sub-10 fs pump and probe pulses covering the complete visible (500–650 nm) and near-infrared (650–950 nm) spectrum with diffraction-limited optical resolution. We demonstrate the capabilities of our system by reporting the spatially- and spectrally-resolved transient electronic response of MAPbI3–xClx perovskite films and reveal significant quenching of the transient bleach signal at grain boundaries. The unprecedented temporal resolution enables us to directly observe the formation of band-gap renormalization, completed in 25 fs after photoexcitation. In addition, we acquire hyperspectral Raman maps of TIPS pentacene films with sub-400 nm spatial and sub-15 cm–1 spectral resolution covering the 100–2000 cm–1 window. Our approach opens up the possibility of studying ultrafast dynamics on nanometer length and femtosecond time scales in a variety of two-dimensional and nanoscopic systems. PMID:27934055

Mach-Zehnder interferometry method for acoustic shock wave measurements in air and broadband calibration of microphones.

PubMed

Yuldashev, Petr; Karzova, Maria; Khokhlova, Vera; Ollivier, Sébastien; Blanc-Benon, Philippe

2015-06-01

A Mach-Zehnder interferometer is used to measure spherically diverging N-waves in homogeneous air. An electrical spark source is used to generate high-amplitude (1800 Pa at 15 cm from the source) and short duration (50 μs) N-waves. Pressure waveforms are reconstructed from optical phase signals using an Abel-type inversion. It is shown that the interferometric method allows one to reach 0.4 μs of time resolution, which is 6 times better than the time resolution of a 1/8-in. condenser microphone (2.5 μs). Numerical modeling is used to validate the waveform reconstruction method. The waveform reconstruction method provides an error of less than 2% with respect to amplitude in the given experimental conditions. Optical measurement is used as a reference to calibrate a 1/8-in. condenser microphone. The frequency response function of the microphone is obtained by comparing the spectra of the waveforms resulting from optical and acoustical measurements. The optically measured pressure waveforms filtered with the microphone frequency response are in good agreement with the microphone output voltage. Therefore, an optical measurement method based on the Mach-Zehnder interferometer is a reliable tool to accurately characterize evolution of weak shock waves in air and to calibrate broadband acoustical microphones.

Multimodality optical imaging of embryonic heart microstructure

PubMed Central

Yelin, Ronit; Yelin, Dvir; Oh, Wang-Yuhl; Yun, Seok H.; Boudoux, Caroline; Vakoc, Benjamin J.; Bouma, Brett E.; Tearney, Guillermo J.

2009-01-01

Study of developmental heart defects requires the visualization of the microstructure and function of the embryonic myocardium, ideally with minimal alterations to the specimen. We demonstrate multiple endogenous contrast optical techniques for imaging the Xenopus laevis tadpole heart. Each technique provides distinct and complementary imaging capabilities, including: 1. 3-D coherence microscopy with subcellular (1 to 2 µm) resolution in fixed embryos, 2. real-time reflectance confocal microscopy with large penetration depth in vivo, and 3. ultra-high speed (up to 900 frames per second) that enables real-time 4-D high resolution imaging in vivo. These imaging modalities can provide a comprehensive picture of the morphologic and dynamic phenotype of the embryonic heart. The potential of endogenous-contrast optical microscopy is demonstrated for investigation of the teratogenic effects of ethanol. Microstructural abnormalities associated with high levels of ethanol exposure are observed, including compromised heart looping and loss of ventricular trabecular mass. PMID:18163837

Multimodality optical imaging of embryonic heart microstructure.

PubMed

Yelin, Ronit; Yelin, Dvir; Oh, Wang-Yuhl; Yun, Seok H; Boudoux, Caroline; Vakoc, Benjamin J; Bouma, Brett E; Tearney, Guillermo J

2007-01-01

Study of developmental heart defects requires the visualization of the microstructure and function of the embryonic myocardium, ideally with minimal alterations to the specimen. We demonstrate multiple endogenous contrast optical techniques for imaging the Xenopus laevis tadpole heart. Each technique provides distinct and complementary imaging capabilities, including: 1. 3-D coherence microscopy with subcellular (1 to 2 microm) resolution in fixed embryos, 2. real-time reflectance confocal microscopy with large penetration depth in vivo, and 3. ultra-high speed (up to 900 frames per second) that enables real-time 4-D high resolution imaging in vivo. These imaging modalities can provide a comprehensive picture of the morphologic and dynamic phenotype of the embryonic heart. The potential of endogenous-contrast optical microscopy is demonstrated for investigation of the teratogenic effects of ethanol. Microstructural abnormalities associated with high levels of ethanol exposure are observed, including compromised heart looping and loss of ventricular trabecular mass.

Wavefront correction using machine learning methods for single molecule localization microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tehrani, Kayvan F.; Xu, Jianquan; Kner, Peter

2015-03-01

Optical Aberrations are a major challenge in imaging biological samples. In particular, in single molecule localization (SML) microscopy techniques (STORM, PALM, etc.) a high Strehl ratio point spread function (PSF) is necessary to achieve sub-diffraction resolution. Distortions in the PSF shape directly reduce the resolution of SML microscopy. The system aberrations caused by the imperfections in the optics and instruments can be compensated using Adaptive Optics (AO) techniques prior to imaging. However, aberrations caused by the biological sample, both static and dynamic, have to be dealt with in real time. A challenge for wavefront correction in SML microscopy is a robust optimization approach in the presence of noise because of the naturally high fluctuations in photon emission from single molecules. Here we demonstrate particle swarm optimization for real time correction of the wavefront using an intensity independent metric. We show that the particle swarm algorithm converges faster than the genetic algorithm for bright fluorophores.

Spatial Soliton Interactions for Photonic Switching. Part I

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-03-07

technique , a fully vectorial, first-order nonlinear wave equation that consistently includes terms two -orders beyond the slowly-varying amplitude , slowly...by using two tunable mode-locked Er-doped fiber lasers ," in Conference on Optical Fiber Communications, OSA Technical Digest Series, vol. 4, 1994...instead, based on optical logic gates. In addition, optical logic could be used for contention resolution, real-time encryption /decryption, and other

Longitudinal evaluation of patients with oral potentially malignant disorders using optical imaging and spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarz, Richard A.; Pierce, Mark C.; Mondrik, Sharon; Gao, Wen; Quinn, Mary K.; Bhattar, Vijayashree; Williams, Michelle D.; Vigneswaran, Nadarajah; Gillenwater, Ann M.; Richards-Kortum, Rebecca

2012-02-01

Dysplastic and cancerous alterations in oral tissue can be detected noninvasively in vivo using optical techniques including autofluorescence imaging, high-resolution imaging, and spectroscopy. Interim results are presented from a longitudinal study in which optical imaging and spectroscopy were used to evaluate the progression of lesions over time in patients at high risk for development of oral cancer. Over 100 patients with oral potentially malignant disorders have been enrolled in the study to date. Areas of concern in the oral cavity are measured using widefield autofluorescence imaging and depth-sensitive optical spectroscopy during successive clinical visits. Autofluorescence intensity patterns and autofluorescence spectra are tracked over time and correlated with clinical observations. Patients whose lesions progress and who undergo surgery are also measured in the operating room immediately prior to surgery using autofluorescence imaging and spectroscopy, with the addition of intraoperative high-resolution imaging to characterize nuclear size, nuclear crowding, and tissue architecture at selected sites. Optical measurements are compared to histopathology results from biopsies and surgical specimens collected from the measured sites. Autofluorescence imaging and spectroscopy measurements are continued during post-surgery followup visits. We examined correlations between clinical impression and optical classification over time with an average followup period of 4 months. The data collected to date suggest that multimodal optical techniques may aid in noninvasive monitoring of the progression of oral premalignant lesions, biopsy site selection, and accurate delineation of lesion extent during surgery.

Optical Imaging with a High Resolution Microendoscope to Identify Cholesteatoma of the Middle Ear

PubMed Central

Levy, Lauren L.; Jiang, Nancy; Smouha, Eric; Richards-Kortum, Rebecca; Sikora, Andrew G.

2013-01-01

Objective High resolution optical imaging is an imaging modality which allows visualization of structural changes in epithelial tissue in real time. Our prior studies using contrast-enhanced microendoscopy to image squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck demonstrated that the contrast agent, proflavine, has high affinity for keratinized tissue. Thus, high-resolution microendoscopy with proflavine provides a potential mechanism to identify ectopic keratin production, such as that associated with cholesteatoma formation and distinguish between uninvolved mucosa and residual keratin at the time of surgery. Study Design Ex vivo imaging of histopathologically-confirmed samples of cholesteatoma and uninvolved middle-ear epithelium. Methods Seven separate specimens collected from patients who underwent surgical treatment for cholesteatoma were imaged ex vivo with the fiberoptic endoscope after surface staining with proflavine. Following imaging, the specimens were submitted for hematoxylin &eosin staining to allow histopathological correlation. Results Cholesteatoma and surrounding middle ear epithelium have distinct imaging characteristics. Keratin-bearing areas of cholesteatoma lack nuclei and appear as confluent hyperfluorescence, while nuclei are easily visualized in specimens containing normal middle ear epithelium. Hyperfluorescence and loss of cellular detail is the imaging hallmark of keratin allowing for discrimination of cholesteatoma from normal middle ear epithelium. Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility of high-resolution optical imaging to discriminate cholesteatoma from uninvolved middle ear mucosa, based on the unique staining properties of keratin. Use of real-time imaging may facilitate more complete extirpation of cholesteatoma by identifying areas of residual disease. PMID:23299781

Multisensor data fusion across time and space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villeneuve, Pierre V.; Beaven, Scott G.; Reed, Robert A.

2014-06-01

Field measurement campaigns typically deploy numerous sensors having different sampling characteristics for spatial, temporal, and spectral domains. Data analysis and exploitation is made more difficult and time consuming as the sample data grids between sensors do not align. This report summarizes our recent effort to demonstrate feasibility of a processing chain capable of "fusing" image data from multiple independent and asynchronous sensors into a form amenable to analysis and exploitation using commercially-available tools. Two important technical issues were addressed in this work: 1) Image spatial registration onto a common pixel grid, 2) Image temporal interpolation onto a common time base. The first step leverages existing image matching and registration algorithms. The second step relies upon a new and innovative use of optical flow algorithms to perform accurate temporal upsampling of slower frame rate imagery. Optical flow field vectors were first derived from high-frame rate, high-resolution imagery, and then finally used as a basis for temporal upsampling of the slower frame rate sensor's imagery. Optical flow field values are computed using a multi-scale image pyramid, thus allowing for more extreme object motion. This involves preprocessing imagery to varying resolution scales and initializing new vector flow estimates using that from the previous coarser-resolution image. Overall performance of this processing chain is demonstrated using sample data involving complex too motion observed by multiple sensors mounted to the same base. Multiple sensors were included, including a high-speed visible camera, up to a coarser resolution LWIR camera.

Linear Spectral Analysis of Plume Emissions Using an Optical Matrix Processor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gary, C. K.

1992-01-01

Plume spectrometry provides a means to monitor the health of a burning rocket engine, and optical matrix processors provide a means to analyze the plume spectra in real time. By observing the spectrum of the exhaust plume of a rocket engine, researchers have detected anomalous behavior of the engine and have even determined the failure of some equipment before it would normally have been noticed. The spectrum of the plume is analyzed by isolating information in the spectrum about the various materials present to estimate what materials are being burned in the engine. Scientists at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) have implemented a high resolution spectrometer to discriminate the spectral peaks of the many species present in the plume. Researchers at the Stennis Space Center Demonstration Testbed Facility (DTF) have implemented a high resolution spectrometer observing a 1200-lb. thrust engine. At this facility, known concentrations of contaminants can be introduced into the burn, allowing for the confirmation of diagnostic algorithms. While the high resolution of the measured spectra has allowed greatly increased insight into the functioning of the engine, the large data flows generated limit the ability to perform real-time processing. The use of an optical matrix processor and the linear analysis technique described below may allow for the detailed real-time analysis of the engine's health. A small optical matrix processor can perform the required mathematical analysis both quicker and with less energy than a large electronic computer dedicated to the same spectral analysis routine.

Spider Silk: Mother Nature's Bio-Superlens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monks, James N.; Yan, Bing; Hawkins, Nicholas; Vollrath, Fritz; Wang, Zengbo

2016-09-01

This paper demonstrates a possible new microfiber bio near field lens that uses minor ampullate spider silk,spun from the Nephila edulis spider, to create a real time image of a surface using near field optical techniques. The microfiber bio lens is the world's first natural superlens created by exploring biological materials. The resolution of the surface image overcomes the diffraction limit, with the ability to resolve patterns at 100 nm under a standard white light source in reflection mode. This resolution offers further developments in superlens technology and paves the way for new bio optics.

Enhanced ν-optical time domain reflectometry using gigahertz sinusoidally gated InGaAs/InP single-photon avalanche detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xuping; Shi, Yuanlei; Shan, Yuanyuan; Sun, Zhenhong; Qiao, Weiyan; Zhang, Yixin

2016-09-01

Optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) is one of the most successful diagnostic tools for nondestructive attenuation measurement of a fiber link. To achieve better sensitivity, spatial resolution, and avoid dead-zone in conversional OTDR, a single-photon detector has been introduced to form the photon-counting OTDR (ν-OTDR). We have proposed a ν-OTDR system using a gigahertz sinusoidally gated InGaAs/InP single-photon avalanche detector (SPAD). Benefiting from the superior performance of a sinusoidal gated SPAD on dark count probability, gating frequency, and gate duration, our ν-OTDR system has achieved a dynamic range (DR) of 33.4 dB with 1 μs probe pulse width after an equivalent measurement time of 51 s. This obtainable DR corresponds to a sensing length over 150 km. Our system has also obtained a spatial resolution of 5 cm at the end of a 5-km standard single-mode fiber. By employing a sinusoidal gating technique, we have improved the ν-OTDR spatial resolution and significantly reduced the measurement time.

High-speed asynchronous optical sampling for high-sensitivity detection of coherent phonons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dekorsy, T.; Taubert, R.; Hudert, F.; Schrenk, G.; Bartels, A.; Cerna, R.; Kotaidis, V.; Plech, A.; Köhler, K.; Schmitz, J.; Wagner, J.

2007-12-01

A new optical pump-probe technique is implemented for the investigation of coherent acoustic phonon dynamics in the GHz to THz frequency range which is based on two asynchronously linked femtosecond lasers. Asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS) provides the performance of on all-optical oscilloscope and allows us to record optically induced lattice dynamics over nanosecond times with femtosecond resolution at scan rates of 10 kHz without any moving part in the set-up. Within 1 minute of data acquisition time signal-to-noise ratios better than 107 are achieved. We present examples of the high-sensitivity detection of coherent phonons in superlattices and of the coherent acoustic vibration of metallic nanoparticles.

Statistics of multiply scattered broadband terahertz pulses.

PubMed

Pearce, Jeremy; Jian, Zhongping; Mittleman, Daniel M

2003-07-25

We describe the first measurements of the diffusion of broadband single-cycle optical pulses through a highly scattering medium. Using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, we measure the electric field of a multiply scattered wave with a time resolution shorter than one optical cycle. This time-domain measurement provides information on the statistics of both the amplitude and phase distributions of the diffusive wave. We develop a theoretical description, suitable for broadband radiation, which adequately describes the experimental results.

Optoelectronic Picosecond Detection of Synchrotron X-rays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Durbin, Stephen M.

2017-08-04

The goal of this research program was to develop a detector that would measure x-ray time profiles with picosecond resolution. This was specifically aimed for use at x-ray synchrotrons, where x-ray pulse profiles have Gaussian time spreads of 50-100 ps (FWHM), so the successful development of such a detector with picosecond resolution would permit x-ray synchrotron studies to break through the pulse width barrier. That is, synchrotron time-resolved studies are currently limited to pump-probe studies that cannot reveal dynamics faster than ~50 ps, whereas the proposed detector would push this into the physically important 1 ps domain. The results ofmore » this research effort, described in detail below, are twofold: 1) the original plan to rely on converting electronic signals from a semiconductor sensor into an optical signal proved to be insufficient for generating signals with the necessary time resolution and sensitivity to be widely applicable; and 2) an all-optical method was discovered whereby the x-rays are directly absorbed in an optoelectronic material, lithium tantalate, which can then be probed by laser pulses with the desired picosecond sensitivity for detection of synchrotron x-rays. This research program has also produced new fundamental understanding of the interaction of x-rays and optical lasers in materials that has now created a viable path for true picosecond detection of synchrotron x-rays.« less

A High Resolution TDI CCD Camera forMicrosatellite (HRCM)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hao, Yuncai; Zheng, You; Dong, Ying; Li, Tao; Yu, Shijie

In resent years it is a important development direction in the commercial remote sensing field to obtain (1-5)m high ground resolution from space using microsatellite. Thanks to progress of new technologies, new materials and new detectors it is possible to develop 1m ground resolution space imaging system with weight less than 20kg. Based on many years works on optical system design a project of very high resolution TDI CCD camera using in space was proposed by the authors of this paper. The performance parameters and optical lay-out of the HRCM was presented. A compact optical design and results analysis for the system was given in the paper also. and small fold mirror to take a line field of view usable for TDI CCD and short outer size. The length along the largest size direction is about 1/4 of the focal length. And two 4096X96(grades) line TDI CCD will be used as the focal plane detector. The special optical parts are fixed near before the final image for getting the ground pixel resolution higher than the Nyquist resolution of the detector using the sub-pixel technique which will be explained in the paper. In the system optical SiC will be used as the mirror material, the C-C composite material will be used as the material of the mechanical structure framework. The circle frame of the primary and secondary mirrors will use one time turning on a machine tool in order to assuring concentric request for alignment of the system. In general the HRCM have the performance parameters with 2.5m focal length, 20 FOV, 1/11relative aperture, (0.4-0.8) micrometer spectral range, 10 micron pixel size of TDI CCD, weight less than 20kg, 1m ground pixel resolution at flying orbit 500km high. Design and analysis of the HRCM put up in the paper indicate that HRCM have many advantages to use it in space. Keywords High resolution TDI CCD Sub-pixel imaging Light-weighted optical system SiC mirror

Improving lateral resolution and image quality of optical coherence tomography by the multi-frame superresolution technique for 3D tissue imaging

PubMed Central

Shen, Kai; Lu, Hui; Baig, Sarfaraz; Wang, Michael R.

2017-01-01

The multi-frame superresolution technique is introduced to significantly improve the lateral resolution and image quality of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Using several sets of low resolution C-scan 3D images with lateral sub-spot-spacing shifts on different sets, the multi-frame superresolution processing of these sets at each depth layer reconstructs a higher resolution and quality lateral image. Layer by layer processing yields an overall high lateral resolution and quality 3D image. In theory, the superresolution processing including deconvolution can solve the diffraction limit, lateral scan density and background noise problems together. In experiment, the improved lateral resolution by ~3 times reaching 7.81 µm and 2.19 µm using sample arm optics of 0.015 and 0.05 numerical aperture respectively as well as doubling the image quality has been confirmed by imaging a known resolution test target. Improved lateral resolution on in vitro skin C-scan images has been demonstrated. For in vivo 3D SD-OCT imaging of human skin, fingerprint and retina layer, we used the multi-modal volume registration method to effectively estimate the lateral image shifts among different C-scans due to random minor unintended live body motion. Further processing of these images generated high lateral resolution 3D images as well as high quality B-scan images of these in vivo tissues. PMID:29188089

Differences between time domain and Fourier domain optical coherence tomography in imaging tissues.

PubMed

Gao, W; Wu, X

2017-11-01

It has been numerously demonstrated that both time domain and Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) can generate high-resolution depth-resolved images of living tissues and cells. In this work, we compare the common points and differences between two methods when the continuous and random properties of live tissue are taken into account. It is found that when relationships that exist between the scattered light and tissue structures are taken into account, spectral interference measurements in Fourier domain OCT (FDOCT) is more advantageous than interference fringe envelope measurements in time domain OCT (TDOCT) in the cases where continuous property of tissue is taken into account. It is also demonstrated that when random property of tissue is taken into account FDOCT measures the Fourier transform of the spatial correlation function of the refractive index and speckle phenomena will limit the effective limiting imaging resolution in both TDOCT and FDOCT. Finally, the effective limiting resolution of both TDOCT and FDOCT are given which can be used to estimate the effective limiting resolution in various practical applications. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2017 Royal Microscopical Society.

Single-shot optical recorder with sub-picosecond resolution and scalable record length on a semiconductor wafer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Muir, R.; Heebner, J.

In this study, we demonstrate a novel, single-shot recording technology for transient optical signals. A resolution of 0.4 ps over a record length of 54 ps was demonstrated. Here, a pump pulse crossing through a signal samples a diagonal “slice” of space–time, enabling a camera to record spatially the time content of the signal. Unlike related X (2)-based cross-correlation techniques, here the signal is sampled through optically pumped carriers that modify the refractive index of a silicon wafer. Surrounding the wafer with birefringent retarders enables two time-staggered, orthogonally polarized signal copies to probe the wafer. Recombining the copies at amore » final crossed polarizer destructively interferes with them, except during the brief stagger window, where a differential phase shift is incurred. This enables the integrating response of the rapidly excited but persistent carriers to be optically differentiated. Lastly, this sampling mechanism has several advantages that enable scaling to long record lengths, including making use of large, inexpensive semiconductor wafers, eliminating the need for phase matching, broad insensitivity to the spectral and angular properties of the pump, and overall hardware simplicity.« less

Single-shot optical recorder with sub-picosecond resolution and scalable record length on a semiconductor wafer

DOE PAGES

Muir, R.; Heebner, J.

2017-10-24

In this study, we demonstrate a novel, single-shot recording technology for transient optical signals. A resolution of 0.4 ps over a record length of 54 ps was demonstrated. Here, a pump pulse crossing through a signal samples a diagonal “slice” of space–time, enabling a camera to record spatially the time content of the signal. Unlike related X (2)-based cross-correlation techniques, here the signal is sampled through optically pumped carriers that modify the refractive index of a silicon wafer. Surrounding the wafer with birefringent retarders enables two time-staggered, orthogonally polarized signal copies to probe the wafer. Recombining the copies at amore » final crossed polarizer destructively interferes with them, except during the brief stagger window, where a differential phase shift is incurred. This enables the integrating response of the rapidly excited but persistent carriers to be optically differentiated. Lastly, this sampling mechanism has several advantages that enable scaling to long record lengths, including making use of large, inexpensive semiconductor wafers, eliminating the need for phase matching, broad insensitivity to the spectral and angular properties of the pump, and overall hardware simplicity.« less

Frequency accurate coherent electro-optic dual-comb spectroscopy in real-time.

PubMed

Martín-Mateos, Pedro; Jerez, Borja; Largo-Izquierdo, Pedro; Acedo, Pablo

2018-04-16

Electro-optic dual-comb spectrometers have proved to be a promising technology for sensitive, high-resolution and rapid spectral measurements. Electro-optic combs possess very attractive features like simplicity, reliability, bright optical teeth, and typically moderate but quickly tunable optical spans. Furthermore, in a dual-comb arrangement, narrowband electro-optic combs are generated with a level of mutual coherence that is sufficiently high to enable optical multiheterodyning without inter-comb stabilization or signal processing systems. However, this valuable tool still presents several limitations; for instance, on most systems, absolute frequency accuracy and long-term stability cannot be guaranteed; likewise, interferometer-induced phase noise restricts coherence time and limits the attainable signal-to-noise ratio. In this paper, we address these drawbacks and demonstrate a cost-efficient absolute electro-optic dual-comb instrument based on a frequency stabilization mechanism and a novel adaptive interferogram acquisition approach devised for electro-optic dual-combs capable of operating in real-time. The spectrometer, completely built from commercial components, provides sub-ppm frequency uncertainties and enables a signal-to-noise ratio of 10000 (intensity noise) in 30 seconds of integration time.

Integrated micro-endoscopy system for simultaneous fluorescence and optical-resolution photoacoustic imaging.

PubMed

Shao, Peng; Shi, Wei; Hajireza, Parsin; Zemp, Roger J

2012-07-01

We present a new integrated micro-endoscopy system combining label-free, fiber-based, real-time C-scan optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (F-OR-PAM) and a high-resolution fluorescence micro-endoscopy system for visualizing fluorescently labeled cellular components and optically absorbing microvasculature simultaneously. With a diode-pumped 532-nm fiber laser, the F-OR-PAM sub-system is able to reach a resolution of ∼7  μm. The fluorescence subsystem, which does not require any mechanical scanning, consists of a 447.5-nm-centered diode laser as the light source, an objective lens, and a CCD camera. Proflavine is used as the fluorescent contrast agent by topical application. The scanning laser and the diode laser light source share the same light path within an optical fiber bundle containing 30,000 individual single-mode fibers. The absorption of proflavine at 532 nm is low, which mitigates absorption bleaching of the contrast agent by the photoacoustic excitation source. We demonstrate imaging in live murine models. The system is able to provide cellular morphology with cellular resolution co-registered with the structural information given by F-OR-PAM. Therefore, the system has the potential to serve as a virtual biopsy technique, helping visualize angiogenesis and the effects of anti-cancer drugs on both cells and the microcirculation, as well as aid in the study of other diseases.

Combined optical resolution photoacoustic and fluorescence micro-endoscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Peng; Shi, Wei; Hajireza, Parsin; Zemp, Roger J.

2012-02-01

We present a new micro-endoscopy system combining real-time C-scan optical-resolution photoacoustic micro-endoscopy (OR-PAME), and a high-resolution fluorescence micro-endoscopy system for visualizing fluorescently labeled cellular components and optically absorbing microvasculature simultaneously. With a diode-pumped 532-nm fiber laser, the OR-PAM sub-system is capable of imaging with a resolution of ~ 7μm. The fluorescence sub-system consists of a diode laser with 445 nm-centered emissions as the light source, an objective lens and a CCD camera. Proflavine, a FDA approved drug for human use, is used as the fluorescent contrast agent by topical application. The fluorescence system does not require any mechanical scanning. The scanning laser and the diode laser light source share the same light path within an optical fiber bundle containing 30,000 individual single mode fibers. The absorption of Proflavine at 532 nm is low, which mitigates absorption bleaching of the contrast agent by the photoacoustic excitation source. We demonstrate imaging in live murine models. The system is able to provide cellular morphology with cellular resolution co-registered with the structural and functional information given by OR-PAM. Therefore, the system has the potential to serve as a virtual biopsy technique, helping researchers and clinicians visualize angiogenesis, effects of anti-cancer drugs on both cells and the microcirculation, as well as aid in the study of other diseases.

Integrated micro-endoscopy system for simultaneous fluorescence and optical-resolution photoacoustic imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Peng; Shi, Wei; Hajireza, Parsin; Zemp, Roger J.

2012-07-01

We present a new integrated micro-endoscopy system combining label-free, fiber-based, real-time C-scan optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (F-OR-PAM) and a high-resolution fluorescence micro-endoscopy system for visualizing fluorescently labeled cellular components and optically absorbing microvasculature simultaneously. With a diode-pumped 532-nm fiber laser, the F-OR-PAM sub-system is able to reach a resolution of ~7 μm. The fluorescence subsystem, which does not require any mechanical scanning, consists of a 447.5-nm-centered diode laser as the light source, an objective lens, and a CCD camera. Proflavine is used as the fluorescent contrast agent by topical application. The scanning laser and the diode laser light source share the same light path within an optical fiber bundle containing 30,000 individual single-mode fibers. The absorption of proflavine at 532 nm is low, which mitigates absorption bleaching of the contrast agent by the photoacoustic excitation source. We demonstrate imaging in live murine models. The system is able to provide cellular morphology with cellular resolution co-registered with the structural information given by F-OR-PAM. Therefore, the system has the potential to serve as a virtual biopsy technique, helping visualize angiogenesis and the effects of anti-cancer drugs on both cells and the microcirculation, as well as aid in the study of other diseases.

Atom optics in the time domain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arndt, M.; Szriftgiser, P.; Dalibard, J.; Steane, A. M.

1996-05-01

Atom-optics experiments are presented using a time-modulated evanescent light wave as an atomic mirror in the trampoline configuration, i.e., perpendicular to the direction of the atomic free fall. This modulated mirror is used to accelerate cesium atoms, to focus their trajectories, and to apply a ``multiple lens'' to separately focus different velocity classes of atoms originating from a point source. We form images of a simple two-slit object to show the resolution of the device. The experiments are modelled by a general treatment analogous to classical ray optics.

Optical coherence tomography - principles and applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fercher, A. F.; Drexler, W.; Hitzenberger, C. K.; Lasser, T.

2003-02-01

There have been three basic approaches to optical tomography since the early 1980s: diffraction tomography, diffuse optical tomography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Optical techniques are of particular importance in the medical field, because these techniques promise to be safe and cheap and, in addition, offer a therapeutic potential. Advances in OCT technology have made it possible to apply OCT in a wide variety of applications but medical applications are still dominating. Specific advantages of OCT are its high depth and transversal resolution, the fact, that its depth resolution is decoupled from transverse resolution, high probing depth in scattering media, contact-free and non-invasive operation, and the possibility to create various function dependent image contrasting methods. This report presents the principles of OCT and the state of important OCT applications. OCT synthesises cross-sectional images from a series of laterally adjacent depth-scans. At present OCT is used in three different fields of optical imaging, in macroscopic imaging of structures which can be seen by the naked eye or using weak magnifications, in microscopic imaging using magnifications up to the classical limit of microscopic resolution and in endoscopic imaging, using low and medium magnification. First, OCT techniques, like the reflectometry technique and the dual beam technique were based on time-domain low coherence interferometry depth-scans. Later, Fourier-domain techniques have been developed and led to new imaging schemes. Recently developed parallel OCT schemes eliminate the need for lateral scanning and, therefore, dramatically increase the imaging rate. These schemes use CCD cameras and CMOS detector arrays as photodetectors. Video-rate three-dimensional OCT pictures have been obtained. Modifying interference microscopy techniques has led to high-resolution optical coherence microscopy that achieved sub-micrometre resolution. This report is concluded with a short presentation of important OCT applications. Ophthalmology is, due to the transparent ocular structures, still the main field of OCT application. The first commercial instrument too has been introduced for ophthalmic diagnostics (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG). Advances in using near-infrared light, however, opened the path for OCT imaging in strongly scattering tissues. Today, optical in vivo biopsy is one of the most challenging fields of OCT application. High resolution, high penetration depth, and its potential for functional imaging attribute to OCT an optical biopsy quality, which can be used to assess tissue and cell function and morphology in situ. OCT can already clarify the relevant architectural tissue morphology. For many diseases, however, including cancer in its early stages, higher resolution is necessary. New broad-bandwidth light sources, like photonic crystal fibres and superfluorescent fibre sources, and new contrasting techniques, give access to new sample properties and unmatched sensitivity and resolution.

FBG wavelength demodulation based on a radio frequency optical true time delay method.

PubMed

Wang, Jin; Zhu, Wanshan; Ma, Chenyuan; Xu, Tong

2018-06-01

A new fiber Bragg grating (FBG) wavelength shift demodulation method based on optical true time delay microwave phase detection is proposed. We used a microwave photonic link (MPL) to transport a radio frequency (RF) signal over a dispersion compensation fiber (DCF). The wavelength shift of the FBG will cause the time delay change of the optical carrier that propagates in an optical fiber with chromatic dispersion, which will result in the variation of the RF signal phase. A long DCF was adopted to enlarge the RF signal phase variation. An IQ mixer was used to measure the RF phase variation of the RF signal propagating in the MPL, and the wavelength shift of the FBG can be obtained by the measured RF signal phase variation. The experimental results showed that the wavelength shift measurement resolution is 2 pm when the group velocity dispersion of the DCF is 79.5 ps/nm and the frequency of the RF signal is 18 GHz. The demodulation time is as short as 0.1 ms. The measurement resolution can be improved simply by using a higher frequency of the RF signal and a longer DCF or larger chromatic dispersion value of the DCF.

An Optoelectronic Equivalent Narrowband Filter for High Resolution Optical Spectrum Analysis

PubMed Central

Feng, Kunpeng; Cui, Jiwen; Dang, Hong; Wu, Weidong; Sun, Xun; Jiang, Xuelin; Tan, Jiubin

2017-01-01

To achieve a narrow bandwidth optical filter with a wide swept range for new generation optical spectrum analysis (OSA) of high performance optical sensors, an optoelectronic equivalent narrowband filter (OENF) was investigated and a swept optical filter with bandwidth of several MHz and sweep range of several tens of nanometers was built using electric filters and a sweep laser as local oscillator (LO). The principle of OENF is introduced and analysis of the OENF system is presented. Two electric filters are optimized to be RBW filters for high and medium spectral resolution applications. Both simulations and experiments are conducted to verify the OENF principle and the results show that the power uncertainty is less than 1.2% and the spectral resolution can reach 6 MHz. Then, a real-time wavelength calibration system consisting of a HCN gas cell and Fabry–Pérot etalon is proposed to guarantee a wavelength accuracy of ±0.4 pm in the C-band and to reduce the influence of phase noise and nonlinear velocity of the LO sweep. Finally, OSA experiments on actual spectra of various optical sensors are conducted using the OENF system. These experimental results indicate that OENF system has an excellent capacity for the analysis of fine spectrum structures. PMID:28208624

Magneto-optical imaging of thin magnetic films using spins in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simpson, David A.; Tetienne, Jean-Philippe; McCoey, Julia M.; Ganesan, Kumaravelu; Hall, Liam T.; Petrou, Steven; Scholten, Robert E.; Hollenberg, Lloyd C. L.

2016-03-01

Imaging the fields of magnetic materials provides crucial insight into the physical and chemical processes surrounding magnetism, and has been a key ingredient in the spectacular development of magnetic data storage. Existing approaches using the magneto-optic Kerr effect, x-ray and electron microscopy have limitations that constrain further development, and there is increasing demand for imaging and characterisation of magnetic phenomena in real time with high spatial resolution. Here we show how the magneto-optical response of an array of negatively-charged nitrogen-vacancy spins in diamond can be used to image and map the sub-micron stray magnetic field patterns from thin ferromagnetic films. Using optically detected magnetic resonance, we demonstrate wide-field magnetic imaging over 100 × 100 μm2 with sub-micron spatial resolution at video frame rates, under ambient conditions. We demonstrate an all-optical spin relaxation contrast imaging approach which can image magnetic structures in the absence of an applied microwave field. Straightforward extensions promise imaging with sub-μT sensitivity and sub-optical spatial and millisecond temporal resolution. This work establishes practical diamond-based wide-field microscopy for rapid high-sensitivity characterisation and imaging of magnetic samples, with the capability for investigating magnetic phenomena such as domain wall and skyrmion dynamics and the spin Hall effect in metals.

An Optoelectronic Equivalent Narrowband Filter for High Resolution Optical Spectrum Analysis.

PubMed

Feng, Kunpeng; Cui, Jiwen; Dang, Hong; Wu, Weidong; Sun, Xun; Jiang, Xuelin; Tan, Jiubin

2017-02-10

To achieve a narrow bandwidth optical filter with a wide swept range for new generation optical spectrum analysis (OSA) of high performance optical sensors, an optoelectronic equivalent narrowband filter (OENF) was investigated and a swept optical filter with bandwidth of several MHz and sweep range of several tens of nanometers was built using electric filters and a sweep laser as local oscillator (LO). The principle of OENF is introduced and analysis of the OENF system is presented. Two electric filters are optimized to be RBW filters for high and medium spectral resolution applications. Both simulations and experiments are conducted to verify the OENF principle and the results show that the power uncertainty is less than 1.2% and the spectral resolution can reach 6 MHz. Then, a real-time wavelength calibration system consisting of a HCN gas cell and Fabry-Pérot etalon is proposed to guarantee a wavelength accuracy of ±0.4 pm in the C-band and to reduce the influence of phase noise and nonlinear velocity of the LO sweep. Finally, OSA experiments on actual spectra of various optical sensors are conducted using the OENF system. These experimental results indicate that OENF system has an excellent capacity for the analysis of fine spectrum structures.

Apertureless near-field optical microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazantsev, D. V.; Kuznetsov, E. V.; Timofeev, S. V.; Shelaev, A. V.; Kazantseva, E. A.

2017-05-01

We discuss the operating principles of the apertureless scanning near-field optical microscope (ASNOM), in which the probe acts as a rod antenna and its electromagnetic radiation plays the role of the registered signal. The phase and amplitude of the emitted wave vary depending on the ‘grounding conditions’ of the antenna tip at the sample point under study. Weak radiation from a tiny (2-15 μm long) tip is detected using optical homo- and heterodyning and the nonlinear dependence of the tip polarizability on the tip-surface distance. The lateral resolution of ASNOMs is determined by the tip curvature radius (1- 20 nm), regardless of the wavelength (500 nm-100 μm). ASNOMs are shown to be capable of providing a surface optical map with nanometer resolution and carrying out spectral- and time-resolved measurements at a selected point on the surface.

Optical tweezers with 2.5 kHz bandwidth video detection for single-colloid electrophoresis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otto, Oliver; Gutsche, Christof; Kremer, Friedrich; Keyser, Ulrich F.

2008-02-01

We developed an optical tweezers setup to study the electrophoretic motion of colloids in an external electric field. The setup is based on standard components for illumination and video detection. Our video based optical tracking of the colloid motion has a time resolution of 0.2ms, resulting in a bandwidth of 2.5kHz. This enables calibration of the optical tweezers by Brownian motion without applying a quadrant photodetector. We demonstrate that our system has a spatial resolution of 0.5nm and a force sensitivity of 20fN using a Fourier algorithm to detect periodic oscillations of the trapped colloid caused by an external ac field. The electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential of a single colloid can be extracted in aqueous solution avoiding screening effects common for usual bulk measurements.

Time multiplexing for increased FOV and resolution in virtual reality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miñano, Juan C.; Benitez, Pablo; Grabovičkić, Dejan; Zamora, Pablo; Buljan, Marina; Narasimhan, Bharathwaj

2017-06-01

We introduce a time multiplexing strategy to increase the total pixel count of the virtual image seen in a VR headset. This translates into an improvement of the pixel density or the Field of View FOV (or both) A given virtual image is displayed by generating a succession of partial real images, each representing part of the virtual image and together representing the virtual image. Each partial real image uses the full set of physical pixels available in the display. The partial real images are successively formed and combine spatially and temporally to form a virtual image viewable from the eye position. Partial real images are imaged through different optical channels depending of its time slot. Shutters or other schemes are used to avoid that a partial real image be imaged through the wrong optical channels or at the wrong time slot. This time multiplexing strategy needs real images be shown at high frame rates (>120fps). Available display and shutters technologies are discussed. Several optical designs for achieving this time multiplexing scheme in a compact format are shown. This time multiplexing scheme allows increasing the resolution/FOV of the virtual image not only by increasing the physical pixel density but also by decreasing the pixels switching time, a feature that may be simpler to achieve in certain circumstances.

High-resolution, large dynamic range fiber-optic thermometer with cascaded Fabry-Perot cavities.

PubMed

Liu, Guigen; Sheng, Qiwen; Hou, Weilin; Han, Ming

2016-11-01

The paradox between a large dynamic range and a high resolution commonly exists in nearly all kinds of sensors. Here, we propose a fiber-optic thermometer based on dual Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs) made from the same material (silicon), but with different cavity lengths, which enables unambiguous recognition of the dense fringes associated with the thick FPI over the free-spectral range determined by the thin FPI. Therefore, the sensor combines the large dynamic range of the thin FPI and the high resolution of the thick FPI. To verify this new concept, a sensor with one 200 μm thick silicon FPI cascaded by another 10 μm thick silicon FPI was fabricated. A temperature range of -50°C to 130°C and a resolution of 6.8×10^-3°C were demonstrated using a simple average wavelength tracking demodulation. Compared to a sensor with only the thick silicon FPI, the dynamic range of the hybrid sensor was more than 10 times larger. Compared to a sensor with only the thin silicon FPI, the resolution of the hybrid sensor was more than 18 times higher.

3D near-infrared imaging based on a single-photon avalanche diode array sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mata Pavia, Juan; Charbon, Edoardo; Wolf, Martin

2011-07-01

An imager for optical tomography was designed based on a detector with 128×128 single-photon pixels that included a bank of 32 time-to-digital converters. Due to the high spatial resolution and the possibility of performing time resolved measurements, a new contact-less setup has been conceived in which scanning of the object is not necessary. This enables one to perform high-resolution optical tomography with much higher acquisition rate, which is fundamental in clinical applications. The setup has a resolution of 97ps and operates with a laser source with an average power of 3mW. This new imaging system generated a high amount of data that could not be processed by established methods, therefore new concepts and algorithms were developed to take full advantage of it. Images were generated using a new reconstruction algorithm that combined general inverse problem methods with Fourier transforms in order to reduce the complexity of the problem. Simulations show that the potential resolution of the new setup is in the order of millimeters. Experiments have been performed to confirm this potential. Images derived from the measurements demonstrate that we have already reached a resolution of 5mm.

Ultrahigh-resolution endoscopic optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yu; Herz, Paul R.; Hsiung, Pei-Lin; Aguirre, Aaron D.; Mashimo, Hiroshi; Desai, Saleem; Pedrosa, Macos; Koski, Amanda; Schmitt, Joseph M.; Fujimoto, James G.

2005-01-01

Early detection of gastrointestinal cancer is essential for the patient treatment and medical care. Endoscopically guided biopsy is currently the gold standard for the diagnosis of early esophageal cancer, but can suffer from high false negative rates due to sampling errors. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an emerging medical imaging technology which can generate high resolution, cross-sectional images of tissue in situ and in real time, without the removal of tissue specimen. Although endoscopic OCT has been used successfully to identify certain pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract, the resolution of current endoscopic OCT systems has been limited to 10 - 15 m for clinical procedures. In this study, in vivo imaging of the gastrointestinal tract is demonstrated at a three-fold higher resolution (< 5 m), using a portable, broadband, Cr4+:Forsterite laser as the optical light source. Images acquired from the esophagus, gastro-esophageal junction and colon on animal model display tissue microstructures and architectural details at high resolution, and the features observed in the OCT images are well-matched with histology. The clinical feasibility study is conducted through delivering OCT imaging catheter using standard endoscope. OCT images of normal esophagus, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal cancers are demonstrated with distinct features. The ability of high resolution endoscopic OCT to image tissue morphology at an unprecedented resolution in vivo would facilitate the development of OCT as a potential imaging modality for early detection of neoplastic changes.

Coherence-length-gated distributed optical fiber sensing based on microwave-photonic interferometry.

PubMed

Hua, Liwei; Song, Yang; Cheng, Baokai; Zhu, Wenge; Zhang, Qi; Xiao, Hai

2017-12-11

This paper presents a new optical fiber distributed sensing concept based on coherent microwave-photonics interferometry (CMPI), which uses a microwave modulated coherent light source to interrogate cascaded interferometers for distributed measurement. By scanning the microwave frequencies, the complex microwave spectrum is obtained and converted to time domain signals at known locations by complex Fourier transform. The amplitudes of these time domain pulses are a function of the optical path differences (OPDs) of the distributed interferometers. Cascaded fiber Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs) fabricated by femtosecond laser micromachining were used to demonstrate the concept. The experimental results indicated that the strain measurement resolution can be better than 0.6 µε using a FPI with a cavity length of 1.5 cm. Further improvement of the strain resolution to the nε level is achievable by increasing the cavity length of the FPI to over 1m. The tradeoff between the sensitivity and dynamic range was also analyzed in detail. To minimize the optical power instability (either from the light source or the fiber loss) induced errors, a single reflector was added in front of an individual FPI as an optical power reference for the purpose of compensation.

All-optical framing photography based on hyperspectral imaging method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Shouxian; Li, Yu; Li, Zeren; Chen, Guanghua; Peng, Qixian; Lei, Jiangbo; Liu, Jun; Yuan, Shuyun

2017-02-01

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a new all optical-framing photography that uses hyperspectral imaging methods to record a chirped pulse's temporal-spatial information. This proposed method consists of three parts: (1) a chirped laser pulse encodes temporal phenomena onto wavelengths; (2) a lenslet array generates a series of integral pupil images;(3) a dispersive device disperses the integral images at void space of image sensor. Compared with Ultrafast All-Optical Framing Technology(Daniel Frayer,2013,2014) and Sequentially Time All-Optical Mapping Photography( Nakagawa 2014, 2015), our method is convenient to adjust the temporal resolution and to flexibly increase the numbers of frames. Theoretically, the temporal resolution of our scheme is limited by the amount of dispersion that is added to a Fourier transform limited femtosecond laser pulse. Correspondingly, the optimal number of frames is decided by the ratio of the observational time window to the temporal resolution, and the effective pixels of each frame are mostly limited by the dimensions M×N of the lenslet array. For example, if a 40fs Fourier transform limited femtosecond pulse is stretched to 10ps, a CCD camera with 2048×3072 pixels can record 15 framing images with temporal resolution of 650fs and image size of 100×100 pixels. As spectrometer structure, our recording part has another advantage that not only amplitude images but also frequency domain interferograms can be imaged. Therefore, it is comparatively easy to capture fast dynamics in the refractive index change of materials. A further dynamic experiment is being conducted.

Optical tomography of human skin with subcellular spatial and picosecond time resolution using intense near infrared femtosecond laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koenig, Karsten; Wollina, Uwe; Riemann, Iris; Peukert, Christiane; Halbhuber, Karl-Juergen; Konrad, Helga; Fischer, Peter; Fuenfstueck, Veronika; Fischer, Tobias W.; Elsner, Peter

2002-06-01

We describe the novel high resolution imaging tool DermaInspect 100 for non-invasive diagnosis of dermatological disorders based on multiphoton autofluorescence imaging (MAI)and second harmonic generation. Femtosecond laser pulses in the spectral range of 750 nm to 850 nm have been used to image in vitro and in vivo human skin with subcellular spatial and picosecond temporal resolution. The non-linear induced autofluorescence originates mainly from naturally endogenous fluorophores/protein structures like NAD(P)H, flavins, keratin, collagen, elastin, porphyrins and melanin. Second harmonic generation was observed in the stratum corneum and in the dermis. The system with a wavelength-tunable compact 80 MHz Ti:sapphire laser, a scan module with galvo scan mirrors, piezoelectric objective positioner, fast photon detector and time-resolved single photon counting unit was used to perform optical sectioning and 3D autofluorescence lifetime imaging (t-mapping). In addition, a modified femtosecond laser scanning microscope was involved in autofluorescence measurements. Tissues of patients with psoriasis, nevi, dermatitis, basalioma and melanoma have been investigated. Individual cells and skin structures could be clearly visualized. Intracellular components and connective tissue structures could be further characterized by tuning the excitation wavelength in the range of 750 nm to 850 nm and by calculation of mean fluorescence lifetimes per pixel and of particular regions of interest. The novel non-invasive imaging system provides 4D (x,y,z,t) optical biopsies with subcellular resolution and offers the possibility to introduce a further optical diagnostic method in dermatology.

Multiplexed phase-space imaging for 3D fluorescence microscopy.

PubMed

Liu, Hsiou-Yuan; Zhong, Jingshan; Waller, Laura

2017-06-26

Optical phase-space functions describe spatial and angular information simultaneously; examples of optical phase-space functions include light fields in ray optics and Wigner functions in wave optics. Measurement of phase-space enables digital refocusing, aberration removal and 3D reconstruction. High-resolution capture of 4D phase-space datasets is, however, challenging. Previous scanning approaches are slow, light inefficient and do not achieve diffraction-limited resolution. Here, we propose a multiplexed method that solves these problems. We use a spatial light modulator (SLM) in the pupil plane of a microscope in order to sequentially pattern multiplexed coded apertures while capturing images in real space. Then, we reconstruct the 3D fluorescence distribution of our sample by solving an inverse problem via regularized least squares with a proximal accelerated gradient descent solver. We experimentally reconstruct a 101 Megavoxel 3D volume (1010×510×500µm with NA 0.4), demonstrating improved acquisition time, light throughput and resolution compared to scanning aperture methods. Our flexible patterning scheme further allows sparsity in the sample to be exploited for reduced data capture.

Mesoscopic in vivo 3-D tracking of sparse cell populations using angular multiplexed optical projection tomography

PubMed Central

Chen, Lingling; Alexandrov, Yuriy; Kumar, Sunil; Andrews, Natalie; Dallman, Margaret J.; French, Paul M. W.; McGinty, James

2015-01-01

We describe an angular multiplexed imaging technique for 3-D in vivo cell tracking of sparse cell distributions and optical projection tomography (OPT) with superior time-lapse resolution and a significantly reduced light dose compared to volumetric time-lapse techniques. We demonstrate that using dual axis OPT, where two images are acquired simultaneously at different projection angles, can enable localization and tracking of features in 3-D with a time resolution equal to the camera frame rate. This is achieved with a 200x reduction in light dose compared to an equivalent volumetric time-lapse single camera OPT acquisition with 200 projection angles. We demonstrate the application of this technique to mapping the 3-D neutrophil migration pattern observed over ~25.5 minutes in a live 2 day post-fertilisation transgenic LysC:GFP zebrafish embryo following a tail wound. PMID:25909009

Mesoscopic in vivo 3-D tracking of sparse cell populations using angular multiplexed optical projection tomography.

PubMed

Chen, Lingling; Alexandrov, Yuriy; Kumar, Sunil; Andrews, Natalie; Dallman, Margaret J; French, Paul M W; McGinty, James

2015-04-01

We describe an angular multiplexed imaging technique for 3-D in vivo cell tracking of sparse cell distributions and optical projection tomography (OPT) with superior time-lapse resolution and a significantly reduced light dose compared to volumetric time-lapse techniques. We demonstrate that using dual axis OPT, where two images are acquired simultaneously at different projection angles, can enable localization and tracking of features in 3-D with a time resolution equal to the camera frame rate. This is achieved with a 200x reduction in light dose compared to an equivalent volumetric time-lapse single camera OPT acquisition with 200 projection angles. We demonstrate the application of this technique to mapping the 3-D neutrophil migration pattern observed over ~25.5 minutes in a live 2 day post-fertilisation transgenic LysC:GFP zebrafish embryo following a tail wound.

Application of carbon nanotubes to topographical resolution enhancement of tapered fiber scanning near field optical microscopy probes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huntington, S. T.; Jarvis, S. P.

2003-05-01

Scanning near field optical microscopy (SNOM) probes are typically tapered optical fibers with metallic coatings. The tip diameters are generally in excess of 300 nm and thus provide poor topographical resolution. Here we report on the attachment multiwalled carbon nanotubes to the probes in order to substantially enhance the topographical resolution, without adversely affecting the optical resolution.

A High Speed Finger-Print Optical Scanning Method

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-01-01

biometrics technologies for authentication, from the view point of convenience and higher security, dactyloscopy is by far the best, much better than the...sensing technologies using static capacitance, thermal or optical detection, the optical detection is by far with the most potential to meet the...present time due to the low resolution of the inherent nature of thermal imaging technique. Besides, this method is easily influenced by environmental

Optical Imaging of the Nearshore

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-30

understand the dynamics of the nearshore system that we measure. APPROACH We exploit a number of approaches in our work. Our observational...resolution, time domain data of optical radiance at a number of focus research sites. Recently, we have collaborated with Dr. Merrick Haller of OSU to...not display a currently valid OMB control number . 1. REPORT DATE 2011 2. REPORT TYPE N/A 3. DATES COVERED - 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Optical

Micro-optical system based 3D imaging for full HD depth image capturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Yong-Hwa; Cho, Yong-Chul; You, Jang-Woo; Park, Chang-Young; Yoon, Heesun; Lee, Sang-Hun; Kwon, Jong-Oh; Lee, Seung-Wan

2012-03-01

20 Mega-Hertz-switching high speed image shutter device for 3D image capturing and its application to system prototype are presented. For 3D image capturing, the system utilizes Time-of-Flight (TOF) principle by means of 20MHz high-speed micro-optical image modulator, so called 'optical shutter'. The high speed image modulation is obtained using the electro-optic operation of the multi-layer stacked structure having diffractive mirrors and optical resonance cavity which maximizes the magnitude of optical modulation. The optical shutter device is specially designed and fabricated realizing low resistance-capacitance cell structures having small RC-time constant. The optical shutter is positioned in front of a standard high resolution CMOS image sensor and modulates the IR image reflected from the object to capture a depth image. Suggested novel optical shutter device enables capturing of a full HD depth image with depth accuracy of mm-scale, which is the largest depth image resolution among the-state-of-the-arts, which have been limited up to VGA. The 3D camera prototype realizes color/depth concurrent sensing optical architecture to capture 14Mp color and full HD depth images, simultaneously. The resulting high definition color/depth image and its capturing device have crucial impact on 3D business eco-system in IT industry especially as 3D image sensing means in the fields of 3D camera, gesture recognition, user interface, and 3D display. This paper presents MEMS-based optical shutter design, fabrication, characterization, 3D camera system prototype and image test results.

Miniature Optical Communications Transceiver (MOCT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conklin, John W.; Hunter, Roger C.; Baker, Christopher

2017-01-01

This project will advance the technology readiness of the Miniature Optical Communications Transceiver (MOCT) from TRL 3 to TRL 4. MOCT consists of a novel software-defined pulse modulator (SDPM),integrated laser system, and avalanche photodetection system, and is designed for optical communications between small spacecraft, including CubeSats, using a pulse position modulation (PPM) scheme. PPM encodes data in the timing of optical pulses with respect to a set of timing windows known as slots. The MOCT design focuses on power-efficiency making it particularly interesting for small satellites. We have demonstrated in the laboratory that this technology can generate shorter than 1 nanosecond-wide 1550 nanometer (nm) optical pulses with better than 50 picosecond (ps) timing accuracy. The timing resolution of this system is roughly a factor of four better than previously flown systems, meaning that it can transmit more bits of data with each optical pulse. Because this technology can both generate and time stamp the arrival of short optical pulses with 50 ps precision, it simultaneously provides power efficient communications and relative ranging between small spacecraft at the centimeter (cm) level.

Real-time distributed fiber microphone based on phase-OTDR.

PubMed

Franciscangelis, Carolina; Margulis, Walter; Kjellberg, Leif; Soderquist, Ingemar; Fruett, Fabiano

2016-12-26

The use of an optical fiber as a real-time distributed microphone is demonstrated employing a phase-OTDR with direct detection. The method comprises a sample-and-hold circuit capable of both tuning the receiver to an arbitrary section of the fiber considered of interest and to recover in real-time the detected acoustic wave. The system allows listening to the sound of a sinusoidal disturbance with variable frequency, music and human voice with ~60 cm of spatial resolution through a 300 m long optical fiber.

Ultra-sensitive near-infrared fiber-optic gas sensors enhanced by metal-organic frameworks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chong, Xinyuan; Kim, Ki-Joong; Li, Erwen; Zhang, Yujing; Ohodnicki, Paul R.; Chang, Chih-Hung; Wang, Alan X.

2016-03-01

We demonstrate ultra-sensitive near-infrared (NIR) fiber-optic gas sensors enhanced by metalorganic framework (MOF) Cu-BTC (BTC=benzene-1,3,5- tricarboxylate), which is coated on a single-mode optical fiber. For the first time, we obtained high-resolution NIR spectroscopy of CO2 adsorbed in MOF without seeing any rotational side band. Real-time measurement showed different response time depending on the concentration of CO2, which is attributed to the complex adsorption and desorption mechanism of CO2 in Cu-BTC. The lowest detection limit of CO2 we achieved is 20 ppm with only 5-cm long Cu-BTC film.

Observation of sub-100-fs optical response from spin-coated films of squarylium dye J aggregates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furuki, Makoto; Tian, Minquan; Sato, Yasuhiro; Pu, Lyong Sun; Kawashima, Hitoshi; Tatsuura, Satoshi; Wada, Osamu

2001-04-01

For spin-coated films of squarylium dye J aggregates, ultrafast nonlinear optical responses were investigated by pump-probe measurements. By using a broadband mode-locked titanium:sapphire laser, we succeeded in observing the optical response with a time resolution of better than 60 fs. Time-resolved transmission data are shown for different excitation wavelengths, resonant to the excitonic absorption band and off-resonant. Relaxation times of the absorption saturation were evaluated to be 140 fs (fast component) and 950 fs (slow component) in the case of resonant excitation and 98 fs in the case of off-resonant excitation.

The 27-28 October 1986 FIRE IFO cirrus case study - Cloud optical properties determined by High Spectral Resolution Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grund, C. J.; Eloranta, E. W.

1990-01-01

The High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) was operated from a roof-top site in Madison, Wisconsin. The transmitter configuration used to acquire the case study data produces about 50 mW of ouput power and achieved eye-safe, direct optical depth, and backscatter cross section measurements with 10 min averaging times. A new continuously pumped, injection seeded, frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser transmitter reduces time-averaging constraints by a factor of about 10, while improving the aerosol-molecular signal separation capabilities and wavelength stability of the instrument. The cirrus cloud backscatter-phase functions have been determined for the October 27-28, 1986 segment of the HSRL FIRE dataset. Features exhibiting backscatter cross sections ranging over four orders of magnitude have been observed within this 33 h period. During this period, cirrus clouds were observed with optical thickness ranging from 0.01 to 1.4. The altitude relationship between cloud top and bottom boundaries and the optical center of the cloud is influenced by the type of formation observed.

Readout Strategy of an Electro-optical Coupled PET Detector for Time-of-Flight PET/MRI

PubMed Central

Bieniosek, M F; Olcott, P D; Levin, C S

2013-01-01

Combining PET with MRI in a single system provides clinicians with complementary molecular and anatomical information. However, existing integrated PET/MRI systems do not have time-of-flight PET capabilities. This work describes an MRI-compatible front-end electronic system with ToF capabilities. The approach employs a fast arrival-time pickoff comparator to digitize the timing information, and a laser diode to drive a 10m fiber-optic cable to optically transmit asynchronous timing information to a photodiode receiver readout system. The comparator and this electo-optical link show a combined 11.5ps fwhm jitter in response to a fast digital pulse. When configured with LYSO scintillation crystals and Hamamatsu MPPC silicon photo-multipliers the comparator and electro-optical link achieved a 511keV coincidence time resolution of 254.7ps +/− 8.0ps fwhm with 3×3×20mm crystals and 166.5 +/− 2.5ps fwhm with 3×3×5mm crystals. PMID:24061218

High-resolution AM LCD development for avionic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamberth, Larry S.; Laddu, Ravindra R.; Harris, Doug; Sarma, Kalluri R.; Li, Wang-Yang; Chien, C. C.; Chu, C. Y.; Lee, C. S.; Kuo, Chen-Lung

2003-09-01

For the first time, an avionic grade MVA AM LCD with wide viewing angle has been developed for use in either landscape or portrait mode. The development of a high resolution Multi-domain Vertical Alignment (MVA) Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display (AM LCD) is described. Challenges met in this development include achieving the required performance with high luminance and sunlight readability while meeting stringent optical (image quality) and environmental performance requirements of avionics displays. In this paper the optical and environmental performance of this high resolution 14.1" MVA-AM-LCD are discussed and some performance comparisons to conventional AM-LCDs are documented. This AM LCD has found multiple Business Aviation and Military display applications and cockpit pictures are presented.

Scanning near-field optical microscopy.

PubMed

Vobornik, Dusan; Vobornik, Slavenka

2008-02-01

An average human eye can see details down to 0,07 mm in size. The ability to see smaller details of the matter is correlated with the development of the science and the comprehension of the nature. Today's science needs eyes for the nano-world. Examples are easily found in biology and medical sciences. There is a great need to determine shape, size, chemical composition, molecular structure and dynamic properties of nano-structures. To do this, microscopes with high spatial, spectral and temporal resolution are required. Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) is a new step in the evolution of microscopy. The conventional, lens-based microscopes have their resolution limited by diffraction. SNOM is not subject to this limitation and can offer up to 70 times better resolution.

Picometer-resolution dual-comb spectroscopy with a free-running fiber laser.

PubMed

Zhao, Xin; Hu, Guoqing; Zhao, Bofeng; Li, Cui; Pan, Yingling; Liu, Ya; Yasui, Takeshi; Zheng, Zheng

2016-09-19

Dual-comb spectroscopy holds the promise as real-time, high-resolution spectroscopy tools. However, in its conventional schemes, the stringent requirement on the coherence between two lasers requires sophisticated control systems. By replacing control electronics with an all-optical dual-comb lasing scheme, a simplified dual-comb spectroscopy scheme is demonstrated using one dual-wavelength, passively mode-locked fiber laser. Pulses with a intracavity-dispersion-determined repetition-frequency difference are shown to have good mutual coherence and stability. Capability to resolve the comb teeth and a picometer-wide optical spectral resolution are demonstrated using a simple data acquisition system. Energy-efficient, free-running fiber lasers with a small comb-tooth-spacing could enable low-cost dual-comb systems.

Design and Study of the Observation Optics for the Thomson Scattering Planned at Wendelstein 7-X

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cantarini, J.; Knauer, J. P.; Pasch, E.

2008-03-19

The main aim of the Thomson scattering system is the measurement of electron temperature and density profiles with high time and spatial resolution. To cover the whole laser beam line (1.6 m) through the plasma cross section, two ports are provided for the observation optics, which image the scattering volumes (each with 28 mm length and 9 mm diameter) onto fiber bundles. The observation optics are important components of the diagnostic set-up, because their imaging properties determine the spectral and spatial resolution of the whole system. Therefore the design of the optics must be optimized according to the geometrical constrainsmore » of the observation ports in terms of position and dimensions. To optimize this optical engineering, the commercial ZEMAX program is used. The composition of the optical system is elaborated to minimize losses of collected light with wavelength from 700 nm up to 1064 nm. Environmental criteria (e.g. neutrons, ECR plasma heating and temperature) will be considered choosing optical materials. First results of calculations will be presented.« less

Structure of Quasar Continuum Emission Regions and Cosmology from Optical and X-Ray Microlensing in Gravitationally Lensed Quasars

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-05-02

information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including g the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering...their central engines cannot be resolved with ordinary telescopes. Gravitational telescopes, however, provide the necessary resolution to study the...structure of the continuum emission regions at optical and X-ray wavelengths and make time delay estimates in the systems in which sufficient data were

Hyperlens-array-implemented optical microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwanaga, Masanobu

2014-08-01

Limit of resolution of conventional optical microscopes has never reached below 100 nm under visible light illumination. We show that numerically designed high-transmittance hyperlens array (HLA) is implemented in an optical microscope and works in practice for achieving one-shot-recording optical images of in-situ placed objects with sub 50 nm resolution in lateral direction. Direct resolution test employing well-defined nanopatterns proves that the HLA-implemented imaging is super-resolution optical microscopy, which works even under nW/mm2 visible illumination for objects. The HLA implementation makes the resolution of conventional microscopes one-scale higher, leading to the 1/10 illumination wavelength range, that is, mesoscopic range.

On effective and optical resolutions of diffraction data sets.

PubMed

Urzhumtseva, Ludmila; Klaholz, Bruno; Urzhumtsev, Alexandre

2013-10-01

In macromolecular X-ray crystallography, diffraction data sets are traditionally characterized by the highest resolution dhigh of the reflections that they contain. This measure is sensitive to individual reflections and does not refer to the eventual data incompleteness and anisotropy; it therefore does not describe the data well. A physically relevant and robust measure that provides a universal way to define the `actual' effective resolution deff of a data set is introduced. This measure is based on the accurate calculation of the minimum distance between two immobile point scatterers resolved as separate peaks in the Fourier map calculated with a given set of reflections. This measure is applicable to any data set, whether complete or incomplete. It also allows characterizion of the anisotropy of diffraction data sets in which deff strongly depends on the direction. Describing mathematical objects, the effective resolution deff characterizes the `geometry' of the set of measured reflections and is irrelevant to the diffraction intensities. At the same time, the diffraction intensities reflect the composition of the structure from physical entities: the atoms. The minimum distance for the atoms typical of a given structure is a measure that is different from and complementary to deff; it is also a characteristic that is complementary to conventional measures of the data-set quality. Following the previously introduced terms, this value is called the optical resolution, dopt. The optical resolution as defined here describes the separation of the atomic images in the `ideal' crystallographic Fourier map that would be calculated if the exact phases were known. The effective and optical resolution, as formally introduced in this work, are of general interest, giving a common `ruler' for all kinds of crystallographic diffraction data sets.

Enhancing sensitivity of high resolution optical coherence tomography using an optional spectrally encoded extended source (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Xiaojun; Liu, Xinyu; Chen, Si; Wang, Xianghong; Liu, Linbo

2016-03-01

High-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) is of critical importance to disease diagnosis because it is capable of providing detailed microstructural information of the biological tissues. However, a compromise usually has to be made between its spatial resolutions and sensitivity due to the suboptimal spectral response of the system components, such as the linear camera, the dispersion grating, and the focusing lenses, etc. In this study, we demonstrate an OCT system that achieves both high spatial resolutions and enhanced sensitivity through utilizing a spectrally encoded source. The system achieves a lateral resolution of 3.1 μm and an axial resolution of 2.3 μm in air; when with a simple dispersive prism placed in the infinity space of the sample arm optics, the illumination beam on the sample is transformed into a line source with a visual angle of 10.3 mrad. Such an extended source technique allows a ~4 times larger maximum permissible exposure (MPE) than its point source counterpart, which thus improves the system sensitivity by ~6dB. In addition, the dispersive prism can be conveniently switched to a reflector. Such flexibility helps increase the penetration depth of the system without increasing the complexity of the current point source devices. We conducted experiments to characterize the system's imaging capability using the human fingertip in vivo and the swine eye optic never disc ex vivo. The higher penetration depth of such a system over the conventional point source OCT system is also demonstrated in these two tissues.

Distributed fiber-optic temperature sensing for hydrologic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Selker, John S.; ThéVenaz, Luc; Huwald, Hendrik; Mallet, Alfred; Luxemburg, Wim; van de Giesen, Nick; Stejskal, Martin; Zeman, Josef; Westhoff, Martijn; Parlange, Marc B.

2006-12-01

Instruments for distributed fiber-optic measurement of temperature are now available with temperature resolution of 0.01°C and spatial resolution of 1 m with temporal resolution of fractions of a minute along standard fiber-optic cables used for communication with lengths of up to 30,000 m. We discuss the spectrum of fiber-optic tools that may be employed to make these measurements, illuminating the potential and limitations of these methods in hydrologic science. There are trade-offs between precision in temperature, temporal resolution, and spatial resolution, following the square root of the number of measurements made; thus brief, short measurements are less precise than measurements taken over longer spans in time and space. Five illustrative applications demonstrate configurations where the distributed temperature sensing (DTS) approach could be used: (1) lake bottom temperatures using existing communication cables, (2) temperature profile with depth in a 1400 m deep decommissioned mine shaft, (3) air-snow interface temperature profile above a snow-covered glacier, (4) air-water interfacial temperature in a lake, and (5) temperature distribution along a first-order stream. In examples 3 and 4 it is shown that by winding the fiber around a cylinder, vertical spatial resolution of millimeters can be achieved. These tools may be of exceptional utility in observing a broad range of hydrologic processes, including evaporation, infiltration, limnology, and the local and overall energy budget spanning scales from 0.003 to 30,000 m. This range of scales corresponds well with many of the areas of greatest opportunity for discovery in hydrologic science.

“Lucky Averaging”: Quality improvement on Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope Images

PubMed Central

Huang, Gang; Zhong, Zhangyi; Zou, Weiyao; Burns, Stephen A.

2012-01-01

Adaptive optics(AO) has greatly improved retinal image resolution. However, even with AO, temporal and spatial variations in image quality still occur due to wavefront fluctuations, intra-frame focus shifts and other factors. As a result, aligning and averaging images can produce a mean image that has lower resolution or contrast than the best images within a sequence. To address this, we propose an image post-processing scheme called “lucky averaging”, analogous to lucky imaging (Fried, 1978) based on computing the best local contrast over time. Results from eye data demonstrate improvements in image quality. PMID:21964097

Optical imaging with a high-resolution microendoscope to identify cholesteatoma of the middle ear.

PubMed

Levy, Lauren L; Jiang, Nancy; Smouha, Eric; Richards-Kortum, Rebecca; Sikora, Andrew G

2013-04-01

High-resolution optical imaging is an imaging modality that allows visualization of structural changes in epithelial tissue in real time. Our prior studies using contrast-enhanced microendoscopy to image squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck demonstrated that the contrast agent, proflavine, has high affinity for keratinized tissue. Thus, high-resolution microendoscopy with proflavine provides a potential mechanism to identify ectopic keratin production, such as that associated with cholesteatoma formation, and distinguish between uninvolved mucosa and residual keratin at the time of surgery. Ex vivo imaging of histopathologically confirmed samples of cholesteatoma and uninvolved middle ear epithelium. Seven separate specimens collected from patients who underwent surgical treatment for cholesteatoma were imaged ex vivo with the fiberoptic endoscope after surface staining with proflavine. Following imaging, the specimens were submitted for hematoxylin and eosin staining to allow histopathological correlation. Cholesteatoma and surrounding middle ear epithelium have distinct imaging characteristics. Keratin-bearing areas of cholesteatoma lack nuclei and appear as confluent hyperfluorescence, whereas nuclei are easily visualized in specimens containing normal middle ear epithelium. Hyperfluorescence and loss of cellular detail is the imaging hallmark of keratin, allowing for discrimination of cholesteatoma from normal middle ear epithelium. This study demonstrates the feasibility of high-resolution optical imaging to discriminate cholesteatoma from uninvolved middle ear mucosa based on the unique staining properties of keratin. Use of real-time imaging may facilitate more complete extirpation of cholesteatoma by identifying areas of residual disease. Laryngoscope, 2012. Copyright © 2013 The American Laryngological, Rhinological, and Otological Society, Inc.

High-Resolution Mapping of Thermal History in Polymer Nanocomposites: Gold Nanorods as Microscale Temperature Sensors.

PubMed

Kennedy, W Joshua; Slinker, Keith A; Volk, Brent L; Koerner, Hilmar; Godar, Trenton J; Ehlert, Gregory J; Baur, Jeffery W

2015-12-23

A technique is reported for measuring and mapping the maximum internal temperature of a structural epoxy resin with high spatial resolution via the optically detected shape transformation of embedded gold nanorods (AuNRs). Spatially resolved absorption spectra of the nanocomposites are used to determine the frequencies of surface plasmon resonances. From these frequencies the AuNR aspect ratio is calculated using a new analytical approximation for the Mie-Gans scattering theory, which takes into account coincident changes in the local dielectric. Despite changes in the chemical environment, the calculated aspect ratio of the embedded nanorods is found to decrease over time to a steady-state value that depends linearly on the temperature over the range of 100-200 °C. Thus, the optical absorption can be used to determine the maximum temperature experienced at a particular location when exposure times exceed the temperature-dependent relaxation time. The usefulness of this approach is demonstrated by mapping the temperature of an internally heated structural epoxy resin with 10 μm lateral spatial resolution.

Regression-Based Identification of Behavior-Encoding Neurons During Large-Scale Optical Imaging of Neural Activity at Cellular Resolution

PubMed Central

Miri, Andrew; Daie, Kayvon; Burdine, Rebecca D.; Aksay, Emre

2011-01-01

The advent of methods for optical imaging of large-scale neural activity at cellular resolution in behaving animals presents the problem of identifying behavior-encoding cells within the resulting image time series. Rapid and precise identification of cells with particular neural encoding would facilitate targeted activity measurements and perturbations useful in characterizing the operating principles of neural circuits. Here we report a regression-based approach to semiautomatically identify neurons that is based on the correlation of fluorescence time series with quantitative measurements of behavior. The approach is illustrated with a novel preparation allowing synchronous eye tracking and two-photon laser scanning fluorescence imaging of calcium changes in populations of hindbrain neurons during spontaneous eye movement in the larval zebrafish. Putative velocity-to-position oculomotor integrator neurons were identified that showed a broad spatial distribution and diversity of encoding. Optical identification of integrator neurons was confirmed with targeted loose-patch electrical recording and laser ablation. The general regression-based approach we demonstrate should be widely applicable to calcium imaging time series in behaving animals. PMID:21084686

Isometric multimodal photoacoustic microscopy based on optically transparent micro-ring ultrasonic detection.

PubMed

Dong, Biqin; Li, Hao; Zhang, Zhen; Zhang, Kevin; Chen, Siyu; Sun, Cheng; Zhang, Hao F

2015-01-01

Photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) is an attractive imaging tool complementary to established optical microscopic modalities by providing additional molecular specificities through imaging optical absorption contrast. While the development of optical resolution photoacoustic microscopy (ORPAM) offers high lateral resolution, the acoustically-determined axial resolution is limited due to the constraint in ultrasonic detection bandwidth. ORPAM with isometric spatial resolution along both axial and lateral direction is yet to be developed. Although recently developed sophisticated optical illumination and reconstruction methods offer improved axial resolution in ORPAM, the image acquisition procedures are rather complicated, limiting their capabilities for high-speed imaging and being easily integrated with established optical microscopic modalities. Here we report an isometric ORPAM based on an optically transparent micro-ring resonator ultrasonic detector and a commercial inverted microscope platform. Owing to the superior spatial resolution and the ease of integrating our ORPAM with established microscopic modalities, single cell imaging with extrinsic fluorescence staining, intrinsic autofluorescence, and optical absorption can be achieved simultaneously. This technique holds promise to greatly improve the accessibility of PAM to the broader biomedical researchers.

A Microfluidic Platform for Correlative Live-Cell and Super-Resolution Microscopy

PubMed Central

Tam, Johnny; Cordier, Guillaume Alan; Bálint, Štefan; Sandoval Álvarez, Ángel; Borbely, Joseph Steven; Lakadamyali, Melike

2014-01-01

Recently, super-resolution microscopy methods such as stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) have enabled visualization of subcellular structures below the optical resolution limit. Due to the poor temporal resolution, however, these methods have mostly been used to image fixed cells or dynamic processes that evolve on slow time-scales. In particular, fast dynamic processes and their relationship to the underlying ultrastructure or nanoscale protein organization cannot be discerned. To overcome this limitation, we have recently developed a correlative and sequential imaging method that combines live-cell and super-resolution microscopy. This approach adds dynamic background to ultrastructural images providing a new dimension to the interpretation of super-resolution data. However, currently, it suffers from the need to carry out tedious steps of sample preparation manually. To alleviate this problem, we implemented a simple and versatile microfluidic platform that streamlines the sample preparation steps in between live-cell and super-resolution imaging. The platform is based on a microfluidic chip with parallel, miniaturized imaging chambers and an automated fluid-injection device, which delivers a precise amount of a specified reagent to the selected imaging chamber at a specific time within the experiment. We demonstrate that this system can be used for live-cell imaging, automated fixation, and immunostaining of adherent mammalian cells in situ followed by STORM imaging. We further demonstrate an application by correlating mitochondrial dynamics, morphology, and nanoscale mitochondrial protein distribution in live and super-resolution images. PMID:25545548

The Stability of Chandra Telescope Pointing and Spacial Resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ping

2018-01-01

Chandra X-ray Observatory revolutionized the X-ray astronomy as being the first, and so far the only, X-ray telescope achieving sub-arcsecond spacial resolution. Chandra is comprised of three principal elements: the High Resolution Mirror Assembly (HRMA), Pointing Control and Aspect Determination (PCAD) system, and the Science Instrument Module (SIM), which is where the X-ray detectors mounted and is connected to the HRMA by a 10-meter long Optical Bench Assembly. To achieve and retain the unprecedented imaging quality, it is critical that these three principal elements to stay rigid and stable for the entire life time of the Chandra operation. I will review the issues of telescope pointing stability, optical Axis, aimpoint and their impacts to the Chandra operation, and evaluate the integrity and stability of the telescope. I will show images taken from all four detectors since launch to demonstrate the quality and stability of the Chandra spacial resolution.

The Quality and Stability of Chandra Telescope Spacial Resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Ping

2017-08-01

Chandra X-ray Observatory revolutionized the X-ray astronomy as being the first, and so far the only, X-ray telescope achieving sub-arcsecond spacial resolution. Chandra is comprised of three principal elements: the High Resolution Mirror Assembly (HRMA), Pointing Control and Aspect Determination (PCAD) system, and the Science Instrument Module (SIM), which is where the X-ray detectors mounted and is connected to the HRMA by a 10-meter long Optical Bench Assembly. To achieve and retain the unprecedented imaging quality, it is critical that these three principal elements to stay rigid and stable for the entire life time of the Chandra operation. I will review the issues of telescope pointing stability, optical Axis, aimpoint and their impacts to the Chandra operation, and evaluate the integrity and stability of the telescope. I will show images taken from all four detectors since launch to demonstrate the quality and stability of the Chandra spacial resolution.

Relationship between large horizontal electric fields and auroral arc elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lanchester, B. S.; Kailá, K.; McCrea, I. W.

1996-03-01

High time resolution optical measurements in the magnetic zenith are compared with European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) field-aligned measurements of electron density at 0.2-s resolution and with horizontal electric field measurements made at 278 km with resolution of 9 s. In one event, 20 min after a spectacular auroral breakup, a system of narrow and active arc elements moved southward into the magnetic zenith, where it remained for several minutes. During a 30-s interval of activity in a narrow arc element very close to the radar beam, the electric field vectors at 3-s resolution were found to be extremely large (up to 400 mVm-1) and to point toward the bright optical features in the arc, which moved along its length. It is proposed that the large electric fields are short-lived and are directly associated with the particle precipitation that causes the bright features in auroral arc elements.

Demonstration of a diode-laser-based high spectral resolution lidar (HSRL) for quantitative profiling of clouds and aerosols.

PubMed

Hayman, Matthew; Spuler, Scott

2017-11-27

We present a demonstration of a diode-laser-based high spectral resolution lidar. It is capable of performing calibrated retrievals of aerosol and cloud optical properties at a 150 m range resolution with less than 1 minute integration time over an approximate range of 12 km during day and night. This instrument operates at 780 nm, a wavelength that is well established for reliable semiconductor lasers and detectors, and was chosen because it corresponds to the D2 rubidium absorption line. A heated vapor reference cell of isotopic rubidium 87 is used as an effective and reliable aerosol signal blocking filter in the instrument. In principle, the diode-laser-based high spectral resolution lidar can be made cost competitive with elastic backscatter lidar systems, yet delivers a significant improvement in data quality through direct retrieval of quantitative optical properties of clouds and aerosols.

Optical path design of phase contrast imaging on HL-2A tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiyun, CHENG; Yi, YU; Shaobo, GONG; Min, XU; Tao, LAN; Wei, JIANG; Boda, YUAN; Yifan, WU; Lin, NIE; Rui, KE; Ting, LONG; Dong, GUO; Minyou, YE; Xuru, DUAN

2017-12-01

A phase contrast imaging (PCI) diagnostic has recently been developed on HL-2A tokamak. It can diagnose plasma density fluctuations with maximum wave number of 15 cm-1 and wave number resolution of 2 cm-1. The time resolution reaches 2 μs. A 10.6 μm CO2 laser is expanded to a beam with a diameter of 30 mm and injected into the plasma as an incident beam, injecting into plasma. The emerging scattered and unscattered beams are contrasted by a phase plate. The ideas of optical path design are presented in this paper, together with the parameters of the main optical components. The whole optical path of PCI is not only carefully designed, but also constructed on HL-2A. First calibration results show the ability of this system to catch plasma turbulence in a wide frequency domain.

Dynamic full-field infrared imaging with multiple synchrotron beams

PubMed Central

Stavitski, Eli; Smith, Randy J.; Bourassa, Megan W.; Acerbo, Alvin S.; Carr, G. L.; Miller, Lisa M.

2013-01-01

Microspectroscopic imaging in the infrared (IR) spectral region allows for the examination of spatially resolved chemical composition on the microscale. More than a decade ago, it was demonstrated that diffraction limited spatial resolution can be achieved when an apertured, single pixel IR microscope is coupled to the high brightness of a synchrotron light source. Nowadays, many IR microscopes are equipped with multi-pixel Focal Plane Array (FPA) detectors, which dramatically improve data acquisition times for imaging large areas. Recently, progress been made toward efficiently coupling synchrotron IR beamlines to multi-pixel detectors, but they utilize expensive and highly customized optical schemes. Here we demonstrate the development and application of a simple optical configuration that can be implemented on most existing synchrotron IR beamlines in order to achieve full-field IR imaging with diffraction-limited spatial resolution. Specifically, the synchrotron radiation fan is extracted from the bending magnet and split into four beams that are combined on the sample, allowing it to fill a large section of the FPA. With this optical configuration, we are able to oversample an image by more than a factor of two, even at the shortest wavelengths, making image restoration through deconvolution algorithms possible. High chemical sensitivity, rapid acquisition times, and superior signal-to-noise characteristics of the instrument are demonstrated. The unique characteristics of this setup enabled the real time study of heterogeneous chemical dynamics with diffraction-limited spatial resolution for the first time. PMID:23458231

WE-AB-BRB-12: Nanoscintillator Fiber-Optic Detector System for Microbeam Radiation Therapy Dosimetry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rivera, J; Dooley, J; Chang, S

2015-06-15

Purpose: Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) is an experimental radiation therapy that has demonstrated a higher therapeutic ratio than conventional radiation therapy in animal studies. There are several roadblocks in translating the promising treatment technology to clinical application, one of which is the lack of a real-time, high-resolution dosimeter. Current clinical radiation detectors have poor spatial resolution and, as such, are unsuitable for measuring microbeams with submillimeter-scale widths. Although GafChromic film has high spatial resolution, it lacks the real-time dosimetry capability necessary for MRT preclinical research and potential clinical use. In this work we have demonstrated the feasibility of using amore » nanoscintillator fiber-optic detector (nanoFOD) system for real-time MRT dosimetry. Methods: A microplanar beam array is generated using a x-ray research irradiator and a custom-made, microbeam-forming collimator. The newest generation nanoFOD has an effective size of 70 µm in the measurement direction and was calibrated against a kV ion chamber (RadCal Accu-Pro) in open field geometry. We have written a computer script that performs automatic data collection with immediate background subtraction. A computer-controlled detector positioning stage is used to precisely measure the microbeam peak dose and beam profile by translating the stage during data collection. We test the new generation nanoFOD system, with increased active scintillation volume, against the previous generation system. Both raw and processed data are time-stamped and recorded to enable future post-processing. Results: The real-time microbeam dosimetry system worked as expected. The new generation dosimeter has approximately double the active volume compared to the previous generation resulting in over 900% increase in signal. The active volume of the dosimeter still provided the spatial resolution that meets the Nyquist criterion for our microbeam widths. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that real-time dosimetry of MRT microbeams is feasible using a nanoscintillator fiber-optic detector with integrated positioning system.« less

Long-term High-Resolution Intravital Microscopy in the Lung with a Vacuum Stabilized Imaging Window

PubMed Central

Rodriguez-Tirado, Carolina; Kitamura, Takanori; Kato, Yu; Pollard, Jeffery W.; Condeelis, John S.; Entenberg, David

2017-01-01

Metastasis to secondary sites such as the lung, liver and bone is a traumatic event with a mortality rate of approximately 90% 1. Of these sites, the lung is the most difficult to assess using intravital optical imaging due to its enclosed position within the body, delicate nature and vital role in sustaining proper physiology. While clinical modalities (positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT)) are capable of providing noninvasive images of this tissue, they lack the resolution necessary to visualize the earliest seeding events, with a single pixel consisting of nearly a thousand cells. Current models of metastatic lung seeding postulate that events just after a tumor cell's arrival are deterministic for survival and subsequent growth. This means that real-time intravital imaging tools with single cell resolution 2 are required in order to define the phenotypes of the seeding cells and test these models. While high resolution optical imaging of the lung has been performed using various ex vivo preparations, these experiments are typically single time-point assays and are susceptible to artifacts and possible erroneous conclusions due to the dramatically altered environment (temperature, profusion, cytokines, etc.) resulting from removal from the chest cavity and circulatory system 3. Recent work has shown that time-lapse intravital optical imaging of the intact lung is possible using a vacuum stabilized imaging window 2,4,5 however, typical imaging times have been limited to approximately 6 hr. Here we describe a protocol for performing long-term intravital time-lapse imaging of the lung utilizing such a window over a period of 12 hr. The time-lapse image sequences obtained using this method enable visualization and quantitation of cell-cell interactions, membrane dynamics and vascular perfusion in the lung. We further describe an image processing technique that gives an unprecedentedly clear view of the lung microvasculature. PMID:27768066

Simultaneous optical flow and source estimation: Space–time discretization and preconditioning

PubMed Central

Andreev, R.; Scherzer, O.; Zulehner, W.

2015-01-01

We consider the simultaneous estimation of an optical flow field and an illumination source term in a movie sequence. The particular optical flow equation is obtained by assuming that the image intensity is a conserved quantity up to possible sources and sinks which represent varying illumination. We formulate this problem as an energy minimization problem and propose a space–time simultaneous discretization for the optimality system in saddle-point form. We investigate a preconditioning strategy that renders the discrete system well-conditioned uniformly in the discretization resolution. Numerical experiments complement the theory. PMID:26435561

Fiber Optic Based Thermometry System for Superconducting RF Cavities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kochergin, Vladimir

2013-05-06

Thermometry is recognized as the best technique to identify and characterize losses in SRF cavities. The most widely used and reliable apparatus for temperature mapping at cryogenic temperatures is based on carbon resistors (RTDs). The use of this technology on multi-cell cavities is inconvenient due to the very large number of sensors required to obtain sufficient spatial resolution. Recent developments make feasible the use of multiplexible fiber optic sensors for highly distributed temperature measurements. However, sensitivity of multiplexible cryogenic temperature sensors was found extending only to 12K at best and thus was not sufficient for SRF cavity thermometry. During themore » course of the project the team of MicroXact, JLab and Virginia Tech developed and demonstrated the multiplexible fiber optic sensor with adequate response below 20K. The demonstrated temperature resolution is by at least a factor of 60 better than that of the best multiplexible fiber optic temperature sensors reported to date. The clear path toward at least 10times better temperature resolution is shown. The first to date temperature distribution measurements with ~2.5mm spatial resolution was done with fiber optic sensors at 2K to4K temperatures. The repeatability and accuracy of the sensors were verified only at 183K, but at this temperature both parameters significantly exceeded the state of the art. The results of this work are expected to find a wide range of applications, since the results are enabling the whole new testing capabilities, not accessible before.« less

Time-domain multiplexed high resolution fiber optics strain sensor system based on temporal response of fiber Fabry-Perot interferometers.

PubMed

Chen, Jiageng; Liu, Qingwen; He, Zuyuan

2017-09-04

We developed a multiplexed strain sensor system with high resolution using fiber Fabry-Perot interferometers (FFPI) as sensing elements. The temporal responses of the FFPIs excited by rectangular laser pulses are used to obtain the strain applied on each FFPI. The FFPIs are connected by cascaded couplers and delay fiber rolls for the time-domain multiplexing. A compact optoelectronic system performing closed-loop cyclic interrogation is employed to improve the sensing resolution and the frequency response. In the demonstration experiment, 3-channel strain sensing with resolutions better than 0.1 nε and frequency response higher than 100 Hz is realized.

Adaptive optics optical coherence tomography at 120,000 depth scans/s for non-invasive cellular phenotyping of the living human retina

PubMed Central

Torti, Cristiano; Považay, Boris; Hofer, Bernd; Unterhuber, Angelika; Carroll, Joseph; Ahnelt, Peter Kurt; Drexler, Wolfgang

2012-01-01

This paper presents a successful combination of ultra-high speed (120,000 depth scans/s), ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography with adaptive optics and an achromatizing lens for compensation of monochromatic and longitudinal chromatic ocular aberrations, respectively, allowing for non-invasive volumetric imaging in normal and pathologic human retinas at cellular resolution. The capability of this imaging system is demonstrated here through preliminary studies by probing cellular intraretinal structures that have not been accessible so far with in vivo, non-invasive, label-free imaging techniques, including pigment epithelial cells, micro-vasculature of the choriocapillaris, single nerve fibre bundles and collagenous plates of the lamina cribrosa in the optic nerve head. In addition, the volumetric extent of cone loss in two colour-blinds could be quantified for the first time. This novel technique provides opportunities to enhance the understanding of retinal pathogenesis and early diagnosis of retinal diseases. PMID:19997159

Speckle size in optical Fourier domain imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamouche, G.; Vergnole, S.; Bisaillon, C.-E.; Dufour, M.; Maciejko, R.; Monchalin, J.-P.

2007-06-01

As in conventional time-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT), speckle is inherent to any Optical Fourier Domain Imaging (OFDI) of biological tissue. OFDI is also known as swept-source OCT (SS-OCT). The axial speckle size is mainly determined by the OCT resolution length and the transverse speckle size by the focusing optics illuminating the sample. There is also a contribution from the sample related to the number of scatterers contained within the probed volume. In the OFDI data processing, there is some liberty in selecting the range of wavelengths used and this allows variation in the OCT resolution length. Consequently the probed volume can be varied. By performing measurements on an optical phantom with a controlled density of discrete scatterers and by changing the probed volume with different range of wavelengths in the OFDI data processing, there is an obvious change in the axial speckle size, but we show that there is also a less obvious variation in the transverse speckle size. This work contributes to a better understanding of speckle in OCT.

Report of the Science Working Group: Science with a lunar optical interferometer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Resolution is the greatest constraint in observational astronomy. The Earth's atmosphere causes on optical image to blur to about 1 arcsec or greater. Interferometric techniques have been developed to overcome atmospheric limitations for both filled aperture conventional telescopes and for partially filled aperture telescopes, such as the Michelson or the radio interferometer. The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) represents the first step toward space based optical astronomy. The HST represents an immediate short term evolution of observational optical astronomy. A longer time scale of evolution is focused on and the benefits are considered to astronomy of placing an array of telescopes on the Moon at a time when a permanent base may exist there.

Roi-Orientated Sensor Correction Based on Virtual Steady Reimaging Model for Wide Swath High Resolution Optical Satellite Imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Y.; Jin, S.; Tian, Y.; Wang, M.

2017-09-01

To meet the requirement of high accuracy and high speed processing for wide swath high resolution optical satellite imagery under emergency situation in both ground processing system and on-board processing system. This paper proposed a ROI-orientated sensor correction algorithm based on virtual steady reimaging model for wide swath high resolution optical satellite imagery. Firstly, the imaging time and spatial window of the ROI is determined by a dynamic search method. Then, the dynamic ROI sensor correction model based on virtual steady reimaging model is constructed. Finally, the corrected image corresponding to the ROI is generated based on the coordinates mapping relationship which is established by the dynamic sensor correction model for corrected image and rigours imaging model for original image. Two experimental results show that the image registration between panchromatic and multispectral images can be well achieved and the image distortion caused by satellite jitter can be also corrected efficiently.

Maximizing the security of chaotic optical communications.

PubMed

Hou, T T; Yi, L L; Yang, X L; Ke, J X; Hu, Y; Yang, Q; Zhou, P; Hu, W S

2016-10-03

The practical application of chaotic optical communications has been limited by two aspects: the difficulty in concealing the time delay - a critical security parameter in feedback chaotic systems, and the difficulty of significantly enlarging the key space without complicating the implementation. Here we propose an architecture to break the above limits. By introducing a frequency-dependent group delay module with frequency tuning resolution of 1 MHz into the chaotic feedback loop, we demonstrate excellent time delay concealment effect, and an additional huge key space of 10⁴⁸ can be achieved at the same time. The effectiveness is proved by both numerical simulation and experiment. Besides, the proposed scheme is compatible with the existing commercial optical communication systems, thus pave the way for high-speed secure optical communications.

Acousto-optic time- and space-integrating spotlight-mode SAR processor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haney, Michael W.; Levy, James J.; Michael, Robert R., Jr.

1993-09-01

The technical approach and recent experimental results for the acousto-optic time- and space- integrating real-time SAR image formation processor program are reported. The concept overcomes the size and power consumption limitations of electronic approaches by using compact, rugged, and low-power analog optical signal processing techniques for the most computationally taxing portions of the SAR imaging problem. Flexibility and performance are maintained by the use of digital electronics for the critical low-complexity filter generation and output image processing functions. The results include a demonstration of the processor's ability to perform high-resolution spotlight-mode SAR imaging by simultaneously compensating for range migration and range/azimuth coupling in the analog optical domain, thereby avoiding a highly power-consuming digital interpolation or reformatting operation usually required in all-electronic approaches.

Differential Deposition Technique for Figure Corrections in Grazing Incidence X-ray Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kilaru, Kiranmayee; Ramsey, Brian D.; Gubarev, Mikhail

2009-01-01

A differential deposition technique is being developed to correct the low- and mid-spatial-frequency deviations in the axial figure profile of Wolter type grazing incidence X-ray optics. These deviations arise due to various factors in the fabrication process and they degrade the performance of the optics by limiting the achievable angular resolution. In the differential deposition technique, material of varying thickness is selectively deposited along the length of the optic to minimize these deviations, thereby improving the overall figure. High resolution focusing optics being developed at MSFC for small animal radionuclide imaging are being coated to test the differential deposition technique. The required spatial resolution for these optics is 100 m. This base resolution is achievable with the regular electroform-nickel-replication fabrication technique used at MSFC. However, by improving the figure quality of the optics through differential deposition, we aim at significantly improving the resolution beyond this value.

Monte Carlo based method for fluorescence tomographic imaging with lifetime multiplexing using time gates

PubMed Central

Chen, Jin; Venugopal, Vivek; Intes, Xavier

2011-01-01

Time-resolved fluorescence optical tomography allows 3-dimensional localization of multiple fluorophores based on lifetime contrast while providing a unique data set for improved resolution. However, to employ the full fluorescence time measurements, a light propagation model that accurately simulates weakly diffused and multiple scattered photons is required. In this article, we derive a computationally efficient Monte Carlo based method to compute time-gated fluorescence Jacobians for the simultaneous imaging of two fluorophores with lifetime contrast. The Monte Carlo based formulation is validated on a synthetic murine model simulating the uptake in the kidneys of two distinct fluorophores with lifetime contrast. Experimentally, the method is validated using capillaries filled with 2.5nmol of ICG and IRDye™800CW respectively embedded in a diffuse media mimicking the average optical properties of mice. Combining multiple time gates in one inverse problem allows the simultaneous reconstruction of multiple fluorophores with increased resolution and minimal crosstalk using the proposed formulation. PMID:21483610

Imaging mouse cerebellum with serial optical coherence scanner (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chao J.; Williams, Kristen; Orr, Harry; Taner, Akkin

2017-02-01

We present the serial optical coherence scanner (SOCS), which consists of a polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography and a vibratome with associated controls for serial imaging, to visualize the cerebellum and adjacent brainstem of mouse. The cerebellar cortical layers and white matter are distinguished by using intrinsic optical contrasts. Images from serial scans reveal the large-scale anatomy in detail and map the nerve fiber pathways in the cerebellum and adjacent brainstem. The optical system, which has 5.5 μm axial resolution, utilizes a scan lens or a water-immersion microscope objective resulting in 10 μm or 4 μm lateral resolution, respectively. The large-scale brain imaging at high resolution requires an efficient way to collect large datasets. It is important to improve the SOCS system to deal with large-scale and large number of samples in a reasonable time. The imaging and slicing procedure for a section took about 4 minutes due to a low speed of the vibratome blade to maintain slicing quality. SOCS has potential to investigate pathological changes and monitor the effects of therapeutic drugs in cerebellar diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia 1 (SCA1). The SCA1 is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by atrophy and eventual loss of Purkinje cells from the cerebellar cortex, and the optical contrasts provided by SOCS is being evaluated for biomarkers of the disease.

Digitally synthesized beat frequency-multiplexed fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Chan, Jacky C. K.; Diebold, Eric D.; Buckley, Brandon W.; Mao, Sien; Akbari, Najva; Jalali, Bahram

2014-01-01

Frequency domain fluorescence lifetime imaging is a powerful technique that enables the observation of subtle changes in the molecular environment of a fluorescent probe. This technique works by measuring the phase delay between the optical emission and excitation of fluorophores as a function of modulation frequency. However, high-resolution measurements are time consuming, as the excitation modulation frequency must be swept, and faster low-resolution measurements at a single frequency are prone to large errors. Here, we present a low cost optical system for applications in real-time confocal lifetime imaging, which measures the phase vs. frequency spectrum without sweeping. Deemed Lifetime Imaging using Frequency-multiplexed Excitation (LIFE), this technique uses a digitally-synthesized radio frequency comb to drive an acousto-optic deflector, operated in a cat’s-eye configuration, to produce a single laser excitation beam modulated at multiple beat frequencies. We demonstrate simultaneous fluorescence lifetime measurements at 10 frequencies over a bandwidth of 48 MHz, enabling high speed frequency domain lifetime analysis of single- and multi-component sample mixtures. PMID:25574449

Development Status of Adjustable Grazing Incidence Optics for 0.5 Arcsecond X-Ray Imaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reid, Paul B.; Aldcroft, Thomas L.; Allured, Ryan; Cotroneo, Vincenzo; Johnson-Wilke, Raegan L.; Marquez, Vanessa; McMuldroch, Stuart; O'Dell, Stephen L.; Ramsey, Brian D.; Schwartz, Daniel A.;

Nanometer resolution optical coherence tomography using broad bandwidth XUV and soft x-ray radiation

DOE PAGES

Fuchs, Silvio; Rödel, Christian; Blinne, Alexander; ...

2016-02-10

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive technique for cross-sectional imaging. It is particularly advantageous for applications where conventional microscopy is not able to image deeper layers of samples in a reasonable time, e.g. in fast moving, deeper lying structures. However, at infrared and optical wavelengths, which are commonly used, the axial resolution of OCT is limited to about 1 μm, even if the bandwidth of the light covers a wide spectral range. Here, we present extreme ultraviolet coherence tomography (XCT) and thus introduce a new technique for non-invasive cross-sectional imaging of nanometer structures. XCT exploits the nanometerscale coherence lengthsmore » corresponding to the spectral transmission windows of, e.g., silicon samples. The axial resolution of coherence tomography is thus improved from micrometers to a few nanometers. Tomographic imaging with an axial resolution better than 18 nm is demonstrated for layer-type nanostructures buried in a silicon substrate. Using wavelengths in the water transmission window, nanometer-scale layers of platinum are retrieved with a resolution better than 8 nm. As a result, XCT as a nondestructive method for sub-surface tomographic imaging holds promise for several applications in semiconductor metrology and imaging in the water window.« less

Using hyperentanglement to enhance resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and measurement time

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, James F.

2017-03-01

A hyperentanglement-based atmospheric imaging/detection system involving only a signal and an ancilla photon will be considered for optical and infrared frequencies. Only the signal photon will propagate in the atmosphere and its loss will be classical. The ancilla photon will remain within the sensor experiencing low loss. Closed form expressions for the wave function, normalization, density operator, reduced density operator, symmetrized logarithmic derivative, quantum Fisher information, quantum Cramer-Rao lower bound, coincidence probabilities, probability of detection, probability of false alarm, probability of error after M measurements, signal-to-noise ratio, quantum Chernoff bound, time-on-target expressions related to probability of error, and resolution will be provided. The effect of noise in every mode will be included as well as loss. The system will provide the basic design for an imaging/detection system functioning at optical or infrared frequencies that offers better than classical angular and range resolution. Optimization for enhanced resolution will be included. The signal-to-noise ratio will be increased by a factor equal to the number of modes employed during the hyperentanglement process. Likewise, the measurement time can be reduced by the same factor. The hyperentanglement generator will typically make use of entanglement in polarization, energy-time, orbital angular momentum and so on. Mathematical results will be provided describing the system's performance as a function of loss mechanisms and noise.

All-Optical Ultrasound Transducers for High Resolution Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheaff, Clay Smith

High frequency ultrasound (HFUS) has increasingly been used within the past few decades to provide high resolution (< 200 mum) imaging in medical applications such as endoluminal imaging, intravascular imaging, ophthalmology, and dermatology. The optical detection and generation of HFUS using thin films offers numerous advantages over traditional piezoelectric technology. Circumvention of an electronic interface with the device head is one of the most significant given the RF noise, crosstalk, and reduced capacitance that encumbers small-scale electronic transducers. Thin film Fabry-Perot interferometers - also known as etalons - are well suited for HFUS receivers on account of their high sensitivity, wide bandwidth, and ease of fabrication. In addition, thin films can be used to generate HFUS when irradiated with optical pulses - a method referred to as Thermoelastic Ultrasound Generation (TUG). By integrating a polyimide (PI) film for TUG into an etalon receiver, we have created for the first time an all-optical ultrasound transducer that is both thermally stable and capable of forming fully sampled 2-D imaging arrays of arbitrary configuration. Here we report (1) the design and fabrication of PI-etalon transducers; (2) an evaluation of their optical and acoustic performance parameters; (3) the ability to conduct high-resolution imaging with synthetic 2-D arrays of PI-etalon elements; and (4) work towards a fiber optic PI-etalon for in vivo use. Successful development of a fiber optic imager would provide a unique field-of-view thereby exposing an abundance of prospects for minimally-invasive analysis, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.

Advanced magneto-optical microscopy: Imaging from picoseconds to centimeters - imaging spin waves and temperature distributions (invited)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Urs, Necdet Onur; Mozooni, Babak; Kustov, Mikhail

2016-05-15

Recent developments in the observation of magnetic domains and domain walls by wide-field optical microscopy based on the magneto-optical Kerr, Faraday, Voigt, and Gradient effect are reviewed. Emphasis is given to the existence of higher order magneto-optical effects for advanced magnetic imaging. Fundamental concepts and advances in methodology are discussed that allow for imaging of magnetic domains on various length and time scales. Time-resolved imaging of electric field induced domain wall rotation is shown. Visualization of magnetization dynamics down to picosecond temporal resolution for the imaging of spin-waves and magneto-optical multi-effect domain imaging techniques for obtaining vectorial information are demonstrated.more » Beyond conventional domain imaging, the use of a magneto-optical indicator technique for local temperature sensing is shown.« less

Improved wavelength coded optical time domain reflectometry based on the optical switch.

PubMed

Zhu, Ninghua; Tong, Youwan; Chen, Wei; Wang, Sunlong; Sun, Wenhui; Liu, Jianguo

2014-06-16

This paper presents an improved wavelength coded time-domain reflectometry based on the 2 × 1 optical switch. In this scheme, in order to improve the signal-noise-ratio (SNR) of the beat signal, the improved system used an optical switch to obtain wavelength-stable, low-noise and narrow optical pulses for probe and reference. Experiments were set up to demonstrate a spatial resolution of 2.5m within a range of 70km and obtain the beat signal with line width narrower than 15 MHz within a range of 50 km in fiber break detection. A system for wavelength-division-multiplexing passive optical network (WDM-PON) monitoring was also constructed to detect the fiber break of different channels by tuning the current applied on the gating section of the distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) laser.

Time-of-Flight Microwave Camera.

PubMed

Charvat, Gregory; Temme, Andrew; Feigin, Micha; Raskar, Ramesh

2015-10-05

Microwaves can penetrate many obstructions that are opaque at visible wavelengths, however microwave imaging is challenging due to resolution limits associated with relatively small apertures and unrecoverable "stealth" regions due to the specularity of most objects at microwave frequencies. We demonstrate a multispectral time-of-flight microwave imaging system which overcomes these challenges with a large passive aperture to improve lateral resolution, multiple illumination points with a data fusion method to reduce stealth regions, and a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) receiver to achieve depth resolution. The camera captures images with a resolution of 1.5 degrees, multispectral images across the X frequency band (8 GHz-12 GHz), and a time resolution of 200 ps (6 cm optical path in free space). Images are taken of objects in free space as well as behind drywall and plywood. This architecture allows "camera-like" behavior from a microwave imaging system and is practical for imaging everyday objects in the microwave spectrum.

Ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence microscopy accurately classifies precancerous and cancerous human cervix free of labeling

PubMed Central

Zeng, Xianxu; Zhang, Xiaoan; Li, Canyu; Wang, Xiaofang; Jerwick, Jason; Xu, Tao; Ning, Yuan; Wang, Yihong; Zhang, Linlin; Zhang, Zhan; Ma, Yutao; Zhou, Chao

2018-01-01

Cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cause of cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer deaths for women in developing countries. Traditional screening tools, such as human papillomavirus and Pap tests, cannot provide results in real-time and cannot localize suspicious regions. Colposcopy-directed biopsies are invasive in nature and only a few sites of the cervix may be chosen for investigation. A non-invasive, label-free and real-time imaging method with a resolution approaching that of histopathology is desirable for early detection of the disease. Methods: Ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence microscopy (OCM) is an emerging imaging technique used to obtain 3-dimensional (3-D) “optical biopsies” of biological samples with cellular resolution. In this study, 497 3-D OCM datasets from 159 specimens were collected from 92 patients. Results: Distinctive patterns for normal cervix, squamocolumnar junction, ectropion, low-grade and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL and HSIL) and invasive cervical lesions were clearly observed from OCM images, which matched well with corresponding histological slides. OCM images demonstrated a sensitivity of 80% (95% confidence interval, CI, 72%-86%) and a specificity of 89% (95% CI, 84%-93%) for detecting high-risk lesions (HSIL and invasive lesions) when blindly tested by three investigators. A substantial inter-observer agreement was observed (κ=0.627), which showed high diagnostic consistency among three investigators. Conclusion: These results laid the foundation for future non-invasive optical evaluation of cervical tissue in vivo, which could lead to a less invasive and more effective screening and “see-and-treat” strategy for the management of cervical cancer. PMID:29896305

Stochastic analysis of 1D and 2D surface topography of x-ray mirrors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tyurina, Anastasia Y.; Tyurin, Yury N.; Yashchuk, Valeriy V.

2017-08-01

The design and evaluation of the expected performance of new optical systems requires sophisticated and reliable information about the surface topography for planned optical elements before they are fabricated. The problem is especially complex in the case of x-ray optics, particularly for the X-ray Surveyor under development and other missions. Modern x-ray source facilities are reliant upon the availability of optics with unprecedented quality (surface slope accuracy < 0.1μrad). The high angular resolution and throughput of future x-ray space observatories requires hundreds of square meters of high quality optics. The uniqueness of the optics and limited number of proficient vendors makes the fabrication extremely time consuming and expensive, mostly due to the limitations in accuracy and measurement rate of metrology used in fabrication. We discuss improvements in metrology efficiency via comprehensive statistical analysis of a compact volume of metrology data. The data is considered stochastic and a new statistical model called Invertible Time Invariant Linear Filter (InTILF) is developed now for 2D surface profiles to provide compact description of the 2D data additionally to 1D data treated so far. The model captures faint patterns in the data and serves as a quality metric and feedback to polishing processes, avoiding high resolution metrology measurements over the entire optical surface. The modeling, implemented in our Beatmark software, allows simulating metrology data for optics made by the same vendor and technology. The forecast data is vital for reliable specification for optical fabrication, to be exactly adequate for the required system performance.

Tailored pump compensation for Brillouin optical time-domain analysis with distributed Brillouin amplification.

PubMed

Kim, Young Hoon; Song, Kwang Yong

2017-06-26

A Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) system utilizing tailored compensation for the propagation loss of the pump pulse is demonstrated for long-range and high-resolution distributed sensing. A continuous pump wave for distributed Brillouin amplification (DBA pump) of the pump pulse co-propagates with the probe wave, where gradual variation of the spectral width is additionally introduced to the DBA pump to obtain a uniform Brillouin gain along the position. In the experimental confirmation, a distributed strain measurement along a 51.2 km fiber under test is presented with a spatial resolution of 20 cm, in which the measurement error (σ) of less than 1.45 MHz and the near-constant Brillouin gain of the probe wave are maintained throughout the fiber.

External optical imaging of freely moving mice with green fluorescent protein-expressing metastatic tumors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Meng; Baranov, Eugene; Shimada, Hiroshi; Moossa, A. R.; Hoffman, Robert M.

2000-04-01

We report here a new approach to genetically engineering tumors to become fluorescence such that they can be imaged externally in freely-moving animals. We describe here external high-resolution real-time fluorescent optical imaging of metastatic tumors in live mice. Stable high-level green flourescent protein (GFP)-expressing human and rodent cell lines enable tumors and metastasis is formed from them to be externally imaged from freely-moving mice. Real-time tumor and metastatic growth were quantitated from whole-body real-time imaging in GFP-expressing melanoma and colon carcinoma models. This GFP optical imaging system is highly appropriate for high throughput in vivo drug screening.

Monitoring flood extent and area through multi-sensor, multi-temporal remote sensing: the Strymonas (Greece) river flood

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Refice, Alberto; Tijani, Khalid; Lovergine, Francesco P.; D'Addabbo, Annarita; Nutricato, Raffaele; Morea, Alberto

2017-04-01

Satellite monitoring of flood events at high spatial and temporal resolution is considered a difficult problem, mainly due to the lack of data with sufficient acquisition frequency and timeliness. The problem is worsened by the typically cloudy weather conditions associated to floods, which obstacle the propagation of e.m. waves in the optical spectral range, forbidding acquisitions by optical sensors. This problem is not present for longer wavelengths, so that radar imaging sensors are recognized as viable solutions for long-term flood monitoring. In selected cases, however, weather conditions may remain clear for sufficient amounts of time, enabling monitoring of the evolution of flood events through long time series of satellite images, both optical and radar. In this contribution, we present a case study of long-term integrated monitoring of a flood event which affected part of the Strymonas river basin, a transboundary river with source in Bulgaria, which flows then through Greece up to the Aegean Sea. The event, which affected the floodplain close to the river mouth, started at the beginning of April 2015, due to heavy rain, and lasted for several months, with some water pools still present at the beginning of September. Due to the arid climate characterizing the area, weather conditions were cloud-free for most of the period covering the event. We collected one high-resolution, X-band, COSMO-SkyMed, 5 C-band, Sentinel-1 SAR images, and 11 optical Landsat-8 images of the area. SAR images were calibrated, speckle-filtered and precisely geocoded; optical images were radiometrically corrected to obtain ground reflectance values from which NDVI maps were derived. The images were then thresholded to obtain binary flood maps for each day. Threshold values for microwave and optical data were calibrated by comparing one SAR and one optical image acquired on the same date. Results allow to draw a multi-temporal map of the flood evolution with high temporal resolution. The extension of flooded area can also be tracked in time, allowing to envisage testing of evapotranspiration/absorption models.

Optical atomic clocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poli, N.; Oates, C. W.; Gill, P.; Tino, G. M.

2013-12-01

In the last ten years extraordinary results in time and frequency metrology have been demonstrated. Frequency-stabilization techniques for continuous-wave lasers and femtosecond optical frequency combs have enabled a rapid development of frequency standards based on optical transitions in ultra-cold neutral atoms and trapped ions. As a result, today's best performing atomic clocks tick at an optical rate and allow scientists to perform high-resolution measurements with a precision approaching a few parts in 1018. This paper reviews the history and the state of the art in optical-clock research and addresses the implementation of optical clocks in a possible future redefinition of the SI second as well as in tests of fundamental physics.

SCANNING NEAR-FIELD OPTICAL MICROSCOPY

PubMed Central

Vobornik, Dušan; Vobornik, Slavenka

2008-01-01

An average human eye can see details down to 0,07 mm in size. The ability to see smaller details of the matter is correlated with the development of the science and the comprehension of the nature. Today’s science needs eyes for the nano-world. Examples are easily found in biology and medical sciences. There is a great need to determine shape, size, chemical composition, molecular structure and dynamic properties of nano-structures. To do this, microscopes with high spatial, spectral and temporal resolution are required. Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) is a new step in the evolution of microscopy. The conventional, lens-based microscopes have their resolution limited by diffraction. SNOM is not subject to this limitation and can offer up to 70 times better resolution. PMID:18318675

Laser Guide Star Based Astrophysics at Lick Observatory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Max, C; Gavel, D.; Friedman, H.

2000-03-10

The resolution of ground-based telescopes is typically limited to {approx}1 second of arc because of the blurring effects of atmospheric turbulence. Adaptive optics (AO) technology senses and corrects for the optical distortions due to turbulence hundreds of times per second using high-speed sensors, computers, deformable mirror, and laser technology. The goal of this project is to make AO systems widely useful astronomical tools providing resolutions up to an order of magnitude better than current, ground-based telescopes. Astronomers at the University of California Lick Observatory at Mt. Hamilton now routinely use the LLNL developed AO system for high resolution imaging ofmore » astrophysical objects. We report here on the instrument development progress and on the science observations made with this system during this 3-year ERI project.« less

Feasibility study of an optically coherent telescope array in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Traub, W. A.

1983-01-01

Numerical methods of image construction which can be used to produce very high angular resolution images at optical wavelengths of astronomical objects from an orbiting array of telescopes are discussed and a concept is presented for a phase-coherent optical telescope array which may be deployed by space shuttle in the 1990's. The system would start as a four-element linear array with a 12 m baseline. The initial module is a minimum redundant array with a photon-counting collecting area three times larger than space telescope and a one dimensional resolution of better than 0.01 arc seconds in the visible range. Later additions to the array would build up facility capability. The advantages of a VLBI observatory in space are considered as well as apertures for the telescopes.

Revealing fine microstructural morphology in the living human retina using Optical Coherence Tomography with pancorrection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torti, C.; Považay, B.; Hofer, B.; Unterhuber, A.; Hermann, B.; Drexler, W.

2008-09-01

Ultra-high speed optical coherence tomography employing an ultra-broadband light source has been combined with adaptive optics utilizing a single high stroke deformable mirror and chromatic aberration compensation. The reduction of motion artefacts, geometric and chromatic aberrations (pancorrection) permits to achieve an isotropic resolution of 2-3 μm in the human eye. The performance of this non-invasive imaging modality enables to resolve cellular structures including cone photoreceptors, nerve fibre bundles and collagenous plates of the lamina cribrosa, and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in the human retina in vivo with superior detail. Alterations of cellular morphology due to cone degeneration in a colour-blind subject are investigated in ultra-high resolution with selective depth sectioning for the first time.

Time-resolved orbital angular momentum spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Noyan, Mehmet A.; Kikkawa, James M.

We introduce pump-probe magneto-orbital spectroscopy, wherein Laguerre-Gauss optical pump pulses impart orbital angular momentum to the electronic states of a material and subsequent dynamics are studied with 100 fs time resolution. The excitation uses vortex modes that distribute angular momentum over a macroscopic area determined by the spot size, and the optical probe studies the chiral imbalance of vortex modes reflected off the sample. First observations in bulk GaAs yield transients that evolve on time scales distinctly different from population and spin relaxation, as expected, but with surprisingly large lifetimes.

Photorefractive-based adaptive optical windows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yuexin; Yang, Yi; Wang, Bo; Fu, John Y.; Yin, Shizhuo; Guo, Ruyan; Yu, Francis T.

2004-10-01

Optical windows have been widely used in optical spectrographic processing system. In this paper, various window profiles, such as rectangular, triangular, Hamming, Hanning, and Blackman etc., have been investigated in detail, regarding their effect on the generated spectrograms, such as joint time-frequency resolution ΔtΔw, the sidelobe amplitude attenuation etc.. All of these windows can be synthesized in a photorefractive crystal by angular multiplexing holographic technique, which renders the system more adaptive. Experimental results are provided.

Broadband optical equalizer using fault tolerant digital micromirrors.

PubMed

Riza, Nabeel; Mughal, M Junaid

2003-06-30

For the first time, the design and demonstration of a near continuous spectral processing mode broadband equalizer is described using the earlier proposed macro-pixel spatial approach for multiwavelength fiber-optic attenuation in combination with a high spectral resolution broadband transmissive volume Bragg grating. The demonstrated design features low loss and low polarization dependent loss with broadband operation. Such an analog mode spectral processor can impact optical applications ranging from test and instrumentation to dynamic alloptical networks.

Coherent optical adaptive technique improves the spatial resolution of STED microscopy in thick samples

PubMed Central

Yan, Wei; Yang, Yanlong; Tan, Yu; Chen, Xun; Li, Yang; Qu, Junle; Ye, Tong

2018-01-01

Stimulated emission depletion microscopy (STED) is one of far-field optical microscopy techniques that can provide sub-diffraction spatial resolution. The spatial resolution of the STED microscopy is determined by the specially engineered beam profile of the depletion beam and its power. However, the beam profile of the depletion beam may be distorted due to aberrations of optical systems and inhomogeneity of specimens’ optical properties, resulting in a compromised spatial resolution. The situation gets deteriorated when thick samples are imaged. In the worst case, the sever distortion of the depletion beam profile may cause complete loss of the super resolution effect no matter how much depletion power is applied to specimens. Previously several adaptive optics approaches have been explored to compensate aberrations of systems and specimens. However, it is hard to correct the complicated high-order optical aberrations of specimens. In this report, we demonstrate that the complicated distorted wavefront from a thick phantom sample can be measured by using the coherent optical adaptive technique (COAT). The full correction can effectively maintain and improve the spatial resolution in imaging thick samples. PMID:29400356

Acousto-optical imaging using a powerful long pulse laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rousseau, Guy; Blouin, Alain; Monchalin, Jean-Pierre

2008-06-01

Acousto-optical imaging is an emerging biodiagnostic technique which provides an optical spectroscopic signature and a spatial localization of an optically absorbing target embedded in a strongly scattering medium. The transverse resolution of the technique is determined by the lateral extent of ultrasound beam focal zone while the axial resolution is obtained by using short ultrasound pulses. Although very promising for medical diagnostic, the practical application of this technique is presently limited by its poor sensitivity. Moreover, any method to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio must obviously satisfy the in vivo safety limits regarding the acceptable power level of both the ultrasonic pressure wave and the laser beam. In this paper, we propose to improve the sensitivity by using a pulsed single-frequency laser source to raise the optical peak power applied to the scattering medium and to collect more ultrasonically tagged photons. Such a laser source also allows illuminating the tissues mainly during the transit time of the ultrasonic wave to maintain the average optical power below the maximum permissible exposure. In our experiment, a single-frequency Nd:YAG laser emitting 500-μs pulses with a peak power superior to 100 W was used. Photons were tagged in few-cm thick optical phantoms with tone bursts generated by an ultrasonic transducer. Tagged photons were detected with a GaAs photorefractive interferometer characterized by a large optical etendue to process simultaneously a large number of speckle grains. When pumped by high intensity laser pulses, such an interferometer also provides the fast response time essential to obtain an apparatus insensitive to the speckle decorrelation due to mechanical vibrations or tissues movements. The use of a powerful long pulse laser appears promising to enhance the signal level in ultrasound modulated optical imaging. When combined with a photorefractive interferometer of large optical etendue, such a source could allow obtaining both the sensitivity and the fast response time necessary for biodiagnostic applications.

Spatially and temporally resolved exciton dynamics and transport in single nanostructures and assemblies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Libai

2015-03-01

The frontier in solar energy conversion now lies in learning how to integrate functional entities across multiple length scales to create optimal devices. To address this new frontier, I will discuss our recent efforts on elucidating multi-scale energy transfer, migration, and dissipation processes with simultaneous femtosecond temporal resolution and nanometer spatial resolution. We have developed ultrafast microscopy that combines ultrafast spectroscopy with optical microscopy to map exciton dynamics and transport with simultaneous ultrafast time resolution and diffraction-limited spatial resolution. We have employed pump-probe transient absorption microscopy to elucidate morphology and structure dependent exciton dynamics and transport in single nanostructures and molecular assemblies. More specifically, (1) We have applied transient absorption microscopy (TAM) to probe environmental and structure dependent exciton relaxation pathways in sing-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by mapping dynamics in individual pristine SWNTs with known structures. (2) We have systematically measured and modeled the optical properties of the Frenkel excitons in self-assembled porphyrin tubular aggregates that represent an analog to natural photosynthetic antennae. Using a combination of ultrafast optical microscopy and stochastic exciton modeling, we address exciton transport and relaxation pathways, especially those related to disorder.

A Review of Hybrid Fiber-Optic Distributed Simultaneous Vibration and Temperature Sensing Technology and Its Geophysical Applications

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Distributed sensing systems can transform an optical fiber cable into an array of sensors, allowing users to detect and monitor multiple physical parameters such as temperature, vibration and strain with fine spatial and temporal resolution over a long distance. Fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and distributed temperature sensing (DTS) systems have been developed for various applications with varied spatial resolution, and spectral and sensing range. Rayleigh scattering-based phase optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) for vibration and Raman/Brillouin scattering-based OTDR for temperature and strain measurements have been developed over the past two decades. The key challenge has been to find a methodology that would enable the physical parameters to be determined at any point along the sensing fiber with high sensitivity and spatial resolution, yet within acceptable frequency range for dynamic vibration, and temperature detection. There are many applications, especially in geophysical and mining engineering where simultaneous measurements of vibration and temperature are essential. In this article, recent developments of different hybrid systems for simultaneous vibration, temperature and strain measurements are analyzed based on their operation principles and performance. Then, challenges and limitations of the systems are highlighted for geophysical applications. PMID:29104259

The usability of the optical parametric amplification of light for high-angular-resolution imaging and fast astrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurek, A. R.; Stachowski, A.; Banaszek, K.; Pollo, A.

2018-05-01

High-angular-resolution imaging is crucial for many applications in modern astronomy and astrophysics. The fundamental diffraction limit constrains the resolving power of both ground-based and spaceborne telescopes. The recent idea of a quantum telescope based on the optical parametric amplification (OPA) of light aims to bypass this limit for the imaging of extended sources by an order of magnitude or more. We present an updated scheme of an OPA-based device and a more accurate model of the signal amplification by such a device. The semiclassical model that we present predicts that the noise in such a system will form so-called light speckles as a result of light interference in the optical path. Based on this model, we analysed the efficiency of OPA in increasing the angular resolution of the imaging of extended targets and the precise localization of a distant point source. According to our new model, OPA offers a gain in resolved imaging in comparison to classical optics. For a given time-span, we found that OPA can be more efficient in localizing a single distant point source than classical telescopes.

A Review of Hybrid Fiber-Optic Distributed Simultaneous Vibration and Temperature Sensing Technology and Its Geophysical Applications.

PubMed

Miah, Khalid; Potter, David K

2017-11-01

Distributed sensing systems can transform an optical fiber cable into an array of sensors, allowing users to detect and monitor multiple physical parameters such as temperature, vibration and strain with fine spatial and temporal resolution over a long distance. Fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and distributed temperature sensing (DTS) systems have been developed for various applications with varied spatial resolution, and spectral and sensing range. Rayleigh scattering-based phase optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) for vibration and Raman/Brillouin scattering-based OTDR for temperature and strain measurements have been developed over the past two decades. The key challenge has been to find a methodology that would enable the physical parameters to be determined at any point along the sensing fiber with high sensitivity and spatial resolution, yet within acceptable frequency range for dynamic vibration, and temperature detection. There are many applications, especially in geophysical and mining engineering where simultaneous measurements of vibration and temperature are essential. In this article, recent developments of different hybrid systems for simultaneous vibration, temperature and strain measurements are analyzed based on their operation principles and performance. Then, challenges and limitations of the systems are highlighted for geophysical applications.

High-frame-rate imaging of biological samples with optoacoustic micro-tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deán-Ben, X. Luís.; López-Schier, Hernán.; Razansky, Daniel

2018-02-01

Optical microscopy remains a major workhorse in biological discovery despite the fact that light scattering limits its applicability to depths of ˜ 1 mm in scattering tissues. Optoacoustic imaging has been shown to overcome this barrier by resolving optical absorption with microscopic resolution in significantly deeper regions. Yet, the time domain is paramount for the observation of biological dynamics in living systems that exhibit fast motion. Commonly, acquisition of microscopy data involves raster scanning across the imaged volume, which significantly limits temporal resolution in 3D. To overcome these limitations, we have devised a fast optoacoustic micro-tomography (OMT) approach based on simultaneous acquisition of 3D image data with a high-density hemispherical ultrasound array having effective detection bandwidth around 25 MHz. We performed experiments by imaging tissue-mimicking phantoms and zebrafish larvae, demonstrating that OMT can provide nearly cellular resolution and imaging speed of 100 volumetric frames per second. As opposed to other optical microscopy techniques, OMT is a hybrid method that resolves optical absorption contrast acoustically using unfocused light excitation. Thus, no penetration barriers are imposed by light scattering in deep tissues, suggesting it as a powerful approach for multi-scale functional and molecular imaging applications.

Parallel mapping of optical near-field interactions by molecular motor-driven quantum dots.

PubMed

Groß, Heiko; Heil, Hannah S; Ehrig, Jens; Schwarz, Friedrich W; Hecht, Bert; Diez, Stefan

2018-04-30

In the vicinity of metallic nanostructures, absorption and emission rates of optical emitters can be modulated by several orders of magnitude 1,2 . Control of such near-field light-matter interaction is essential for applications in biosensing 3 , light harvesting 4 and quantum communication 5,6 and requires precise mapping of optical near-field interactions, for which single-emitter probes are promising candidates 7-11 . However, currently available techniques are limited in terms of throughput, resolution and/or non-invasiveness. Here, we present an approach for the parallel mapping of optical near-field interactions with a resolution of <5 nm using surface-bound motor proteins to transport microtubules carrying single emitters (quantum dots). The deterministic motion of the quantum dots allows for the interpolation of their tracked positions, resulting in an increased spatial resolution and a suppression of localization artefacts. We apply this method to map the near-field distribution of nanoslits engraved into gold layers and find an excellent agreement with finite-difference time-domain simulations. Our technique can be readily applied to a variety of surfaces for scalable, nanometre-resolved and artefact-free near-field mapping using conventional wide-field microscopes.

Analog signal processing for optical coherence imaging systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Wei

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence microscopy (OCM) are non-invasive optical coherence imaging techniques, which enable micron-scale resolution, depth resolved imaging capability. Both OCT and OCM are based on Michelson interferometer theory. They are widely used in ophthalmology, gastroenterology and dermatology, because of their high resolution, safety and low cost. OCT creates cross sectional images whereas OCM obtains en face images. In this dissertation, the design and development of three increasingly complicated analog signal processing (ASP) solutions for optical coherence imaging are presented. The first ASP solution was implemented for a time domain OCT system with a Rapid Scanning Optical Delay line (RSOD)-based optical signal modulation and logarithmic amplifier (Log amp) based demodulation. This OCT system can acquire up to 1600 A-scans per second. The measured dynamic range is 106dB at 200A-scan per second. This OCT signal processing electronics includes an off-the-shelf filter box with a Log amp circuit implemented on a PCB board. The second ASP solution was developed for an OCM system with synchronized modulation and demodulation and compensation for interferometer phase drift. This OCM acquired micron-scale resolution, high dynamic range images at acquisition speeds up to 45,000 pixels/second. This OCM ASP solution is fully custom designed on a perforated circuit board. The third ASP solution was implemented on a single 2.2 mm x 2.2 mm complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip. This design is expandable to a multiple channel OCT system. A single on-chip CMOS photodetector and ASP channel was used for coherent demodulation in a time domain OCT system. Cross-sectional images were acquired with a dynamic range of 76dB (limited by photodetector responsivity). When incorporated with a bump-bonded InGaAs photodiode with higher responsivity, the expected dynamic range is close to 100dB.

Submicrometer fiber-optic chemical sensors: Measuring pH inside single cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopelman, R.

Starting from scratch, we went in two and a half years to 0.04 micron optical microscopy resolution. We have demonstrated the application of near-field scanning optical microscopy to DNA samples and opened the new fields of near-field scanning spectroscopy and submicron opto-chemical sensors. All of these developments have been important steps towards in-situ DNA imaging and characterization on the nanoscale. Our first goal was to make NSOM (near-field scanning optical microscopy) a working enterprise, capable of 'zooming-in' towards a sample and imaging with a resolution exceeding that of traditional microscopy by a factor of ten. This has been achieved. Not only do we have a resolution of about 40 nm but we can image a 1 x 1 micron object in less than 10 seconds. Furthermore, the NSOM is a practical instrument. The tips survive for days or weeks of scanning and new methods of force feedback will soon protect the most fragile samples. Reproducible images of metal gratings, gold particles, dye balls (for calibration) and of several DNA samples have been made, proving the practicality of our approach. We also give highly resolved Force/NSOM images of human blood cells. Our second goal has been to form molecular optics (e.g., exciton donor) tips with a resolution of 2-10 nm for molecular excitation microscopy (MEM). We have produced such tips, and scanned with them, but only with a resolution comparable to that of our standard NSOM tips. However, we have demonstrated their potential for high resolution imaging capabilities: (1) An energy transfer (tip to sample) based feedback capability. (2) A Kasha (external heavy atom) effect based feedback. In addition, a novel and practical opto-chemical sensor that is a billion times smaller than the best ones available has been developed as well. Finally, we have also performed spatially resolved fluorescence spectroscopy.

Timely detection and monitoring of oil leakage by satellite optical data.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grimaldi, C. S. L.; Coviello, I.; Lacava, T.; Pergola, N.; Tramutoli, V.

2009-04-01

Sea oil pollution can derive from different sources. Accidental release of oil into the oceans caused by "human errors" (tankers collisions and/or shipwrecks) or natural hazards (hurricanes, landslides, earthquakes) have remarkable ecological impact on maritime and coastal environments. Katrina Hurricane, for example, hitting oil and gas infrastructures off USA coasts caused the destruction of more than 100 platforms and the release into the sea of more than 10,000 gallons of crude oil. In order to reduce the environmental impact of such kind of technological hazards, timely detection and continuously updated information are fundamental. Satellite remote sensing can give a significant contribution in such a direction. Nowadays, SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) technology has been recognized as the most efficient for oil spill detection and mapping, thanks to the high spatial resolution and all-time/weather capability of the present operational sensors. Anyway, due to their current revisiting cycles, SAR systems cannot be profitably used for a rapid detection and for a continuous and near real-time monitoring of these phenomena. Until COSMO-Skymed SAR constellation, that will be able to improve SAR observational frequency, will not be fully operational, passive optical sensors on board meteorological satellites, thanks to their high temporal resolution, may represent a suitable alternative for early detection and continuous monitoring of oil spills, provided that adequate and reliable data analysis techniques exist. Recently, an innovative technique for oil spill detection and monitoring, based on the general Robust Satellite Techniques (RST) approach, has been proposed. It exploits the multi-temporal analysis of optical data acquired by both AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) and MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensors in order to detect, automatically and timely, the presence of oil spill over the sea surface, trying to minimize the "false-detections" possibly caused by spurious effects (e.g. clouds). In this paper, preliminary results obtained applying the proposed methodology to different test-cases are shown and discussed.

A new front-face optical cell for measuring weak fluorescent emissions with time resolution in the picosecond time scale.

PubMed

Gryczynski, Z; Bucci, E

1993-11-01

Recent developments of ultrafast fluorimeters allow measuring time-resolved fluorescence on the picosecond time scale. This implies one is able to monitor lifetimes and anisotropy decays of highly quenched systems and of systems that contain fluorophores having lifetimes in the subnanosecond range; both systems that emit weak signals. The combination of weak signals and very short lifetimes makes the measurements prone to distortions which are negligible in standard fluorescence experiments. To cope with these difficulties, we have designed a new optical cell for front-face optics which offers to the excitation beam a horizontal free liquid surface in the absence of interactions with optical windows. The new cell has been tested with probes of known lifetimes and anisotropies. It proved very useful in detecting tryptophan fluorescence in hemoglobin. If only diluted samples are available, which cannot be used in front-face optics, regular square geometry can still be utilized by inserting light absorbers into a cuvette of 1 cm path length.

Demonstration of nanoimprinted hyperlens array for high-throughput sub-diffraction imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byun, Minsueop; Lee, Dasol; Kim, Minkyung; Kim, Yangdoo; Kim, Kwan; Ok, Jong G.; Rho, Junsuk; Lee, Heon

2017-04-01

Overcoming the resolution limit of conventional optics is regarded as the most important issue in optical imaging science and technology. Although hyperlenses, super-resolution imaging devices based on highly anisotropic dispersion relations that allow the access of high-wavevector components, have recently achieved far-field sub-diffraction imaging in real-time, the previously demonstrated devices have suffered from the extreme difficulties of both the fabrication process and the non-artificial objects placement. This results in restrictions on the practical applications of the hyperlens devices. While implementing large-scale hyperlens arrays in conventional microscopy is desirable to solve such issues, it has not been feasible to fabricate such large-scale hyperlens array with the previously used nanofabrication methods. Here, we suggest a scalable and reliable fabrication process of a large-scale hyperlens device based on direct pattern transfer techniques. We fabricate a 5 cm × 5 cm size hyperlenses array and experimentally demonstrate that it can resolve sub-diffraction features down to 160 nm under 410 nm wavelength visible light. The array-based hyperlens device will provide a simple solution for much more practical far-field and real-time super-resolution imaging which can be widely used in optics, biology, medical science, nanotechnology and other closely related interdisciplinary fields.

Optical Coherence Tomography–Enhanced Microlaryngoscopy: Preliminary Report of a Noncontact Optical Coherence Tomography System Integrated With a Surgical Microscope

PubMed Central

Vokes, David E.; Jackson, Ryan; Guo, Shuguang; Perez, Jorge A.; Su, Jianping; Ridgway, James M.; Armstrong, William B.; Chen, Zhongping; Wong, Brian J. F.

2014-01-01

Objectives Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new imaging modality that uses near-infrared light to produce cross-sectional images of tissue with a resolution approaching that of light microscopy. We have previously reported use of OCT imaging of the vocal folds (VFs) during direct laryngoscopy with a probe held in contact or near-contact with the VFs. This aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a novel OCT system integrated with a surgical microscope to allow hands-free OCT imaging of the VFs, which could be performed simultaneously with microscopic visualization. Methods We performed a prospective evaluation of a new method of acquiring OCT images of the VFs. Results An OCT system was successfully integrated with a surgical microscope to permit noncontact OCT imaging of the VFs of 10 patients. With this novel device we were able to identify VF epithelium and lamina propria; however, the resolution was reduced compared to that achieved with the standard contact or near-contact OCT. Conclusions Optical coherence tomography is able to produce high-resolution images of vocal fold mucosa to a maximum depth of 1.6 mm. It may be used in the diagnosis of VF lesions, particularly early squamous cell carcinoma, in which OCT can show disruption of the basement membrane. Mounting the OCT device directly onto the operating microscope allows hands-free noncontact OCT imaging and simultaneous conventional microscopic visualization of the VFs. However, the lateral resolution of the OCT microscope system is 50 µm, in contrast to the conventional handheld probe system (10 µm). Although such images at this resolution are still useful clinically, improved resolution would enhance the system’s performance, potentially enabling real-time OCT-guided microsurgery of the larynx. PMID:18700431

Super-resolution atomic force photoactivated microscopy of biological samples (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Seunghyun; Kim, Hyemin; Shin, Seungjun; Doh, Junsang; Kim, Chulhong

2017-03-01

Optical microscopy (OM) and photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) have previously been used to image the optical absorption of intercellular features of biological cells. However, the optical diffraction limit ( 200 nm) makes it difficult for these modalities to image nanoscale inner cell structures and the distribution of internal cell components. Although super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, such as stimulated emission depletion microscopy (STED) and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), has successfully performed nanoscale biological imaging, these modalities require the use of exogenous fluorescence agents, which are unfavorable for biological samples. Our newly developed atomic force photoactivated microscopy (AFPM) can provide optical absorption images with nanoscale lateral resolution without any exogenous contrast agents. AFPM combines conventional atomic force microscopy (AFM) and an optical excitation system, and simultaneously provides multiple contrasts, such as the topography and magnitude of optical absorption. AFPM can detect the intrinsic optical absorption of samples with 8 nm lateral resolution, easily overcoming the diffraction limit. Using the label-free AFPM system, we have successfully imaged the optical absorption properties of a single melanoma cell (B16F10) and a rosette leaf epidermal cell of Arabidopsis (ecotype Columbia (Col-0)) with nanoscale lateral resolution. The remarkable images show the melanosome distribution of a melanoma cell and the biological structures of a plant cell. AFPM provides superior imaging of optical absorption with a nanoscale lateral resolution, and it promises to become widely used in biological and chemical research.

Combined optical coherence tomography and optical coherence elastography for glomerulonephritis classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chih-Hao; Du, Yong; Singh, Manmohan; Wu, Chen; Han, Zhaolong; Li, Jiasong; Mohammadzai, Qais; Raghunathan, Raksha; Hsu, Thomas; Noorani, Shezaan; Chang, Anthony; Mohan, Chandra; Larin, Kirill V.

2016-03-01

Acute Glomerulonephritis caused by anti-glomerular basement membrane disease has a high mortality due to delayed diagnosis. Thus, an accurate and early diagnosis is critical for preserving renal function. Currently, blood, urine, and tissue-based diagnoses can be time consuming, while ultrasound and CT imaging have relatively low spatial resolution. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive imaging technique that provides superior spatial resolution (micron scale) as compared to ultrasound and CT. Pathological changes in tissue properties can be detected based on the optical metrics analyzed from the OCT signal, such as optical attenuation and speckle variance. Moreover, OCT does not rely on ionizing radiation as with CT imaging. In addition to structural changes, the elasticity of the kidney can significantly change due to nephritis. In this work, we utilized OCT to detect the difference in tissue properties between healthy and nephritic murine kidneys. Although OCT imaging could identify the diseased tissue, classification accuracy using only optical metrics was clinically inadequate. By combining optical metrics with elasticity, the classification accuracy improved from 76% to 95%. These results show that OCT combined with OCE can be potentially useful for nephritis detection.

JPRS Report, Science & Technology, China

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-03-05

DAXUE Induction-Density Measurement at State-of-the XUEBAO [JOURNAL OF HUAZHONG (CENTRAL Art CHINA) UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND 91P60113B Beijing KEJI...SENSORS, OPTICS Two New Optical Devices Accredited [HUAZHONG LIGONG DAXUE XUEBAO, Dec 90] ................. 22 1.3-Micron Single-Mode Laser Light...DIANXIN JISHU, Jan 91] ........................... 31 PHYSICS Shape Measurement of Synchrotron Radiation With High Time Resolution [Cao Zhong , Liu

Fiber-optic confocal reflectance microscope with miniature objective for in vivo imaging of human tissues.

PubMed

Sung, Kung-Bin; Liang, Chen; Descour, Michael; Collier, Tom; Follen, Michele; Richards-Kortum, Rebecca

2002-10-01

We have built a fiber-optic confocal reflectance microscope capable of imaging human tissues in near real time. Miniaturization of the objective lens and the mechanical components for positioning and axially scanning the objective enables the device to be used in inner organs of the human body. The lateral resolution is 2 micrometers and axial resolution is 10 micrometers. Confocal images of fixed tissue biopsies and the human lip in vivo have been obtained at 15 frames/s without any fluorescent stains. Both cell morphology and tissue architecture can be appreciated from images obtained with this microscope.

Arbitrary-detuning asynchronous optical sampling pump-probe spectroscopy of bacterial reaction centers.

PubMed

Antonucci, Laura; Bonvalet, Adeline; Solinas, Xavier; Jones, Michael R; Vos, Marten H; Joffre, Manuel

2013-09-01

A recently reported variant of asynchronous optical sampling compatible with arbitrary unstabilized laser repetition rates is applied to pump-probe spectroscopy. This makes possible the use of a 5.1 MHz chirped pulse oscillator as the pump laser, thus extending the available time window to almost 200 ns with a time resolution as good as about 320 fs. The method is illustrated with the measurement in a single experiment of the complete charge transfer dynamics of the reaction center from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

Time-resolved optical spectrometer based on a monolithic array of high-precision TDCs and SPADs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamborini, Davide; Markovic, Bojan; Di Sieno, Laura; Contini, Davide; Bassi, Andrea; Tisa, Simone; Tosi, Alberto; Zappa, Franco

2013-12-01

We present a compact time-resolved spectrometer suitable for optical spectroscopy from 400 nm to 1 μm wavelengths. The detector consists of a monolithic array of 16 high-precision Time-to-Digital Converters (TDC) and Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPAD). The instrument has 10 ps resolution and reaches 70 ps (FWHM) timing precision over a 160 ns full-scale range with a Differential Non-Linearity (DNL) better than 1.5 % LSB. The core of the spectrometer is the application-specific integrated chip composed of 16 pixels with 250 μm pitch, containing a 20 μm diameter SPAD and an independent TDC each, fabricated in a 0.35 μm CMOS technology. In front of this array a monochromator is used to focus different wavelengths into different pixels. The spectrometer has been used for fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy: 5 nm spectral resolution over an 80 nm bandwidth is achieved. Lifetime spectroscopy of Nile blue is demonstrated.

Structural and functional human retinal imaging with a fiber-based visible light OCT ophthalmoscope (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chong, Shau Poh; Bernucci, Marcel T.; Borycki, Dawid; Radhakrishnan, Harsha; Srinivasan, Vivek J.

2017-02-01

Visible light is absorbed by intrinsic chromophores such as photopigment, melanin, and hemoglobin, and scattered by subcellular structures, all of which are potential retinal disease biomarkers. Recently, high-resolution quantitative measurement and mapping of hemoglobin concentrations was demonstrated using visible light Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Yet, most high-resolution visible light OCT systems adopt free-space, or bulk, optical setups, which could limit clinical applications. Here, the construction of a multi-functional fiber-optic OCT system for human retinal imaging with <2.5 micron axial resolution is described. A detailed noise characterization of two supercontinuum light sources with differing pulse repetition rates is presented. The higher repetition rate, lower noise, source is found to enable a sensitivity of 87 dB with 0.1 mW incident power at the cornea and a 98 microsecond exposure time. Using a broadband, asymmetric, fused single-mode fiber coupler designed for visible wavelengths, the sample arm is integrated into an ophthalmoscope platform, rendering it portable and suitable for clinical use. In vivo anatomical, Doppler, and spectroscopic imaging of the human retina is further demonstrated using a single oversampled B-scan. For spectroscopic fitting of oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) content in the retinal vessels, a noise bias-corrected absorbance spectrum is estimated using a sliding short-time Fourier transform of the complex OCT signal and fit using a model of light absorption and scattering. This yielded path length (L) times molar concentration, LCHbO2 and LCHb. Based on these results, we conclude that high-resolution visible light OCT has potential for depth-resolved functional imaging of the eye.

Inflammatory Papillitis in Uveitis: Response to Treatment and Use of Optic Nerve Optical Coherence Tomography for Monitoring.

PubMed

Cho, Heeyoon; Pillai, Parvathy; Nicholson, Laura; Sobrin, Lucia

2016-01-01

To describe the clinical course of uveitis-associated inflammatory papillitis and evaluate the utility and reproducibility of optic nerve spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Data on 22 eyes of 14 patients with uveitis-related papillitis and optic nerve imaging were reviewed. SD-OCT measure reproducibility was determined and parameters were compared in active vs. inactive uveitis. Papillitis resolution lagged behind uveitis resolution in three patients. For SD-OCT measures, the intraclass correlation coefficients were 99.1-100% and 86.9-100% for intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility, respectively. All SD-OCT optic nerve measures except inferior and nasal peripapillary retinal thicknesses were significantly higher in active vs. inactive uveitis after correction for multiple hypotheses testing. Mean optic nerve central thickness decreased from 545.1 to 362.9 µm (p = 0.01). Resolution of inflammatory papillitis can lag behind resolution of uveitis. SD-OCT assessment of papillitis is reproducible and correlates with presence vs. resolution of uveitis.

Real time 3D visualization of intraoperative organ deformations using structured dictionary.

PubMed

Wang, Dan; Tewfik, Ahmed H

2012-04-01

Restricted visualization of the surgical field is one of the most critical challenges for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Current intraoperative visualization systems are promising. However, they can hardly meet the requirements of high resolution and real time 3D visualization of the surgical scene to support the recognition of anatomic structures for safe MIS procedures. In this paper, we present a new approach for real time 3D visualization of organ deformations based on optical imaging patches with limited field-of-view and a single preoperative scan of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). The idea for reconstruction is motivated by our empirical observation that the spherical harmonic coefficients corresponding to distorted surfaces of a given organ lie in lower dimensional subspaces in a structured dictionary that can be learned from a set of representative training surfaces. We provide both theoretical and practical designs for achieving these goals. Specifically, we discuss details about the selection of limited optical views and the registration of partial optical images with a single preoperative MRI/CT scan. The design proposed in this paper is evaluated with both finite element modeling data and ex vivo experiments. The ex vivo test is conducted on fresh porcine kidneys using 3D MRI scans with 1.2 mm resolution and a portable laser scanner with an accuracy of 0.13 mm. Results show that the proposed method achieves a sub-3 mm spatial resolution in terms of Hausdorff distance when using only one preoperative MRI scan and the optical patch from the single-sided view of the kidney. The reconstruction frame rate is between 10 frames/s and 39 frames/s depending on the complexity of the test model.

The 2015 super-resolution microscopy roadmap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hell, Stefan W.; Sahl, Steffen J.; Bates, Mark; Zhuang, Xiaowei; Heintzmann, Rainer; Booth, Martin J.; Bewersdorf, Joerg; Shtengel, Gleb; Hess, Harald; Tinnefeld, Philip; Honigmann, Alf; Jakobs, Stefan; Testa, Ilaria; Cognet, Laurent; Lounis, Brahim; Ewers, Helge; Davis, Simon J.; Eggeling, Christian; Klenerman, David; Willig, Katrin I.; Vicidomini, Giuseppe; Castello, Marco; Diaspro, Alberto; Cordes, Thorben

2015-11-01

Far-field optical microscopy using focused light is an important tool in a number of scientific disciplines including chemical, (bio)physical and biomedical research, particularly with respect to the study of living cells and organisms. Unfortunately, the applicability of the optical microscope is limited, since the diffraction of light imposes limitations on the spatial resolution of the image. Consequently the details of, for example, cellular protein distributions, can be visualized only to a certain extent. Fortunately, recent years have witnessed the development of ‘super-resolution’ far-field optical microscopy (nanoscopy) techniques such as stimulated emission depletion (STED), ground state depletion (GSD), reversible saturated optical (fluorescence) transitions (RESOLFT), photoactivation localization microscopy (PALM), stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), structured illumination microscopy (SIM) or saturated structured illumination microscopy (SSIM), all in one way or another addressing the problem of the limited spatial resolution of far-field optical microscopy. While SIM achieves a two-fold improvement in spatial resolution compared to conventional optical microscopy, STED, RESOLFT, PALM/STORM, or SSIM have all gone beyond, pushing the limits of optical image resolution to the nanometer scale. Consequently, all super-resolution techniques open new avenues of biomedical research. Because the field is so young, the potential capabilities of different super-resolution microscopy approaches have yet to be fully explored, and uncertainties remain when considering the best choice of methodology. Thus, even for experts, the road to the future is sometimes shrouded in mist. The super-resolution optical microscopy roadmap of Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics addresses this need for clarity. It provides guidance to the outstanding questions through a collection of short review articles from experts in the field, giving a thorough discussion on the concepts underlying super-resolution optical microscopy, the potential of different approaches, the importance of label optimization (such as reversible photoswitchable proteins) and applications in which these methods will have a significant impact. Mark Bates, Christian Eggeling

Elastic light scattering from single cells: orientational dynamics in optical trap.

PubMed

Watson, Dakota; Hagen, Norbert; Diver, Jonathan; Marchand, Philippe; Chachisvilis, Mirianas

2004-08-01

Light-scattering diagrams (phase functions) from single living cells and beads suspended in an optical trap were recorded with 30-ms time resolution. The intensity of the scattered light was recorded over an angular range of 0.5-179.5 degrees using an optical setup based on an elliptical mirror and rotating aperture. Experiments revealed that light-scattering diagrams from biological cells exhibit significant and complex time dependence. We have attributed this dependence to the cell's orientational dynamics within the trap. We have also used experimentally measured phase function information to calculate the time dependence of the optical radiation pressure force on the trapped particle and show how it changes depending on the orientation of the particle. Relevance of these experiments to potential improvement in the sensitivity of label-free flow cytometry is discussed.

Femtosecond all-optical synchronization of an X-ray free-electron laser

DOE PAGES

Schulz, S.; Grguraš, I.; Behrens, C.; ...

2015-01-20

Many advanced applications of X-ray free-electron lasers require pulse durations and time resolutions of only a few femtoseconds. To generate these pulses and to apply them in time-resolved experiments, synchronization techniques that can simultaneously lock all independent components, including all accelerator modules and all external optical lasers, to better than the delivered free-electron laser pulse duration, are needed. Here we achieve all-optical synchronization at the soft X-ray free-electron laser FLASH and demonstrate facility-wide timing to better than 30 fs r.m.s. for 90 fs X-ray photon pulses. Crucially, our analysis indicates that the performance of this optical synchronization is limited primarilymore » by the free-electron laser pulse duration, and should naturally scale to the sub-10 femtosecond level with shorter X-ray pulses.« less

Aqueye+: a new ultrafast single photon counter for optical high time resolution astrophysics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zampieri, L.; Naletto, G.; Barbieri, C.; Verroi, E.; Barbieri, M.; Ceribella, G.; D'Alessandro, M.; Farisato, G.; Di Paola, A.; Zoccarato, P.

2015-05-01

Aqueye+ is a new ultrafast optical single photon counter, based on single photon avalanche photodiodes (SPAD) and a 4- fold split-pupil concept. It is a completely revisited version of its predecessor, Aqueye, successfully mounted at the 182 cm Copernicus telescope in Asiago. Here we will present the new technological features implemented on Aqueye+, namely a state of the art timing system, a dedicated and optimized optical train, a high sensitivity and high frame rate field camera and remote control, which will give Aqueye plus much superior performances with respect to its predecessor, unparalleled by any other existing fast photometer. The instrument will host also an optical vorticity module to achieve high performance astronomical coronography and a real time acquisition of atmospheric seeing unit. The present paper describes the instrument and its first performances.

Ultrastable assembly and integration technology for ground- and space-based optical systems.

PubMed

Ressel, Simon; Gohlke, Martin; Rauen, Dominik; Schuldt, Thilo; Kronast, Wolfgang; Mescheder, Ulrich; Johann, Ulrich; Weise, Dennis; Braxmaier, Claus

2010-08-01

Optical metrology systems crucially rely on the dimensional stability of the optical path between their individual optical components. We present in this paper a novel adhesive bonding technology for setup of quasi-monolithic systems and compare selected characteristics to the well-established state-of-the-art technique of hydroxide-catalysis bonding. It is demonstrated that within the measurement resolution of our ultraprecise custom heterodyne interferometer, both techniques achieve an equivalent passive path length and tilt stability for time scales between 0.1 mHz and 1 Hz. Furthermore, the robustness of the adhesive bonds against mechanical and thermal inputs has been tested, making this new bonding technique in particular a potential option for interferometric applications in future space missions. The integration process itself is eased by long time scales for alignment, as well as short curing times.

Femtosecond all-optical synchronization of an X-ray free-electron laser

PubMed Central

Schulz, S.; Grguraš, I.; Behrens, C.; Bromberger, H.; Costello, J. T.; Czwalinna, M. K.; Felber, M.; Hoffmann, M. C.; Ilchen, M.; Liu, H. Y.; Mazza, T.; Meyer, M.; Pfeiffer, S.; Prędki, P.; Schefer, S.; Schmidt, C.; Wegner, U.; Schlarb, H.; Cavalieri, A. L.

2015-01-01

Many advanced applications of X-ray free-electron lasers require pulse durations and time resolutions of only a few femtoseconds. To generate these pulses and to apply them in time-resolved experiments, synchronization techniques that can simultaneously lock all independent components, including all accelerator modules and all external optical lasers, to better than the delivered free-electron laser pulse duration, are needed. Here we achieve all-optical synchronization at the soft X-ray free-electron laser FLASH and demonstrate facility-wide timing to better than 30 fs r.m.s. for 90 fs X-ray photon pulses. Crucially, our analysis indicates that the performance of this optical synchronization is limited primarily by the free-electron laser pulse duration, and should naturally scale to the sub-10 femtosecond level with shorter X-ray pulses. PMID:25600823

Improved localization accuracy in stochastic super-resolution fluorescence microscopy by K-factor image deshadowing

PubMed Central

Ilovitsh, Tali; Meiri, Amihai; Ebeling, Carl G.; Menon, Rajesh; Gerton, Jordan M.; Jorgensen, Erik M.; Zalevsky, Zeev

2013-01-01

Localization of a single fluorescent particle with sub-diffraction-limit accuracy is a key merit in localization microscopy. Existing methods such as photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) achieve localization accuracies of single emitters that can reach an order of magnitude lower than the conventional resolving capabilities of optical microscopy. However, these techniques require a sparse distribution of simultaneously activated fluorophores in the field of view, resulting in larger time needed for the construction of the full image. In this paper we present the use of a nonlinear image decomposition algorithm termed K-factor, which reduces an image into a nonlinear set of contrast-ordered decompositions whose joint product reassembles the original image. The K-factor technique, when implemented on raw data prior to localization, can improve the localization accuracy of standard existing methods, and also enable the localization of overlapping particles, allowing the use of increased fluorophore activation density, and thereby increased data collection speed. Numerical simulations of fluorescence data with random probe positions, and especially at high densities of activated fluorophores, demonstrate an improvement of up to 85% in the localization precision compared to single fitting techniques. Implementing the proposed concept on experimental data of cellular structures yielded a 37% improvement in resolution for the same super-resolution image acquisition time, and a decrease of 42% in the collection time of super-resolution data with the same resolution. PMID:24466491

Optical metabolic imaging of live tissue cultures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walsh, Alex J.; Cook, Rebecca S.; Arteaga, Carlos L.; Skala, Melissa C.

2013-02-01

The fluorescence properties, both intensity and fluorescence lifetime, of NADH and FAD, two coenzymes of metabolism, are sensitive, high resolution measures of cellular metabolism. However, often in vivo measurements of tissue are not feasible. In this study, we investigate the stability over time of two-photon auto-fluorescence imaging of NADH and FAD in live-cultured tissues. Our results demonstrate that cultured tissues remain viable for at least several days post excision. Furthermore, the optical redox ratio, NADH fluorescence lifetime, and FAD fluorescence lifetime do not significantly change in the cultured tissues over time. With these findings, we demonstrate the potential of sustained tissue culture techniques for optical metabolic imaging.

Rewritable Optical Storage with a Spiropyran Doped Liquid Crystal Polymer Film.

PubMed

Petriashvili, Gia; De Santo, Maria Penelope; Devadze, Lali; Zurabishvili, Tsisana; Sepashvili, Nino; Gary, Ramla; Barberi, Riccardo

2016-03-01

Rewritable optical storage has been obtained in a spiropyran doped liquid crystal polymer films. Pictures can be recorded on films upon irradiation with UV light passing through a grayscale mask and they can be rapidly erased using visible light. Films present improved photosensitivity and optical contrast, good resistance to photofatigue, and high spatial resolution. These photochromic films work as a multifunctional, dynamic photosensitive material with a real-time image recording feature. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Design and implementation of an optimal laser pulse front tilting scheme for ultrafast electron diffraction in reflection geometry with high temporal resolution.

PubMed

Pennacchio, Francesco; Vanacore, Giovanni M; Mancini, Giulia F; Oppermann, Malte; Jayaraman, Rajeswari; Musumeci, Pietro; Baum, Peter; Carbone, Fabrizio

2017-07-01

Ultrafast electron diffraction is a powerful technique to investigate out-of-equilibrium atomic dynamics in solids with high temporal resolution. When diffraction is performed in reflection geometry, the main limitation is the mismatch in group velocity between the overlapping pump light and the electron probe pulses, which affects the overall temporal resolution of the experiment. A solution already available in the literature involved pulse front tilt of the pump beam at the sample, providing a sub-picosecond time resolution. However, in the reported optical scheme, the tilted pulse is characterized by a temporal chirp of about 1 ps at 1 mm away from the centre of the beam, which limits the investigation of surface dynamics in large crystals. In this paper, we propose an optimal tilting scheme designed for a radio-frequency-compressed ultrafast electron diffraction setup working in reflection geometry with 30 keV electron pulses containing up to 10 5 electrons/pulse. To characterize our scheme, we performed optical cross-correlation measurements, obtaining an average temporal width of the tilted pulse lower than 250 fs. The calibration of the electron-laser temporal overlap was obtained by monitoring the spatial profile of the electron beam when interacting with the plasma optically induced at the apex of a copper needle (plasma lensing effect). Finally, we report the first time-resolved results obtained on graphite, where the electron-phonon coupling dynamics is observed, showing an overall temporal resolution in the sub-500 fs regime. The successful implementation of this configuration opens the way to directly probe structural dynamics of low-dimensional systems in the sub-picosecond regime, with pulsed electrons.

Design and implementation of an optimal laser pulse front tilting scheme for ultrafast electron diffraction in reflection geometry with high temporal resolution

PubMed Central

Pennacchio, Francesco; Vanacore, Giovanni M.; Mancini, Giulia F.; Oppermann, Malte; Jayaraman, Rajeswari; Musumeci, Pietro; Baum, Peter; Carbone, Fabrizio

2017-01-01

Ultrafast electron diffraction is a powerful technique to investigate out-of-equilibrium atomic dynamics in solids with high temporal resolution. When diffraction is performed in reflection geometry, the main limitation is the mismatch in group velocity between the overlapping pump light and the electron probe pulses, which affects the overall temporal resolution of the experiment. A solution already available in the literature involved pulse front tilt of the pump beam at the sample, providing a sub-picosecond time resolution. However, in the reported optical scheme, the tilted pulse is characterized by a temporal chirp of about 1 ps at 1 mm away from the centre of the beam, which limits the investigation of surface dynamics in large crystals. In this paper, we propose an optimal tilting scheme designed for a radio-frequency-compressed ultrafast electron diffraction setup working in reflection geometry with 30 keV electron pulses containing up to 105 electrons/pulse. To characterize our scheme, we performed optical cross-correlation measurements, obtaining an average temporal width of the tilted pulse lower than 250 fs. The calibration of the electron-laser temporal overlap was obtained by monitoring the spatial profile of the electron beam when interacting with the plasma optically induced at the apex of a copper needle (plasma lensing effect). Finally, we report the first time-resolved results obtained on graphite, where the electron-phonon coupling dynamics is observed, showing an overall temporal resolution in the sub-500 fs regime. The successful implementation of this configuration opens the way to directly probe structural dynamics of low-dimensional systems in the sub-picosecond regime, with pulsed electrons. PMID:28713841

The Extreme Ultraviolet Normal Incidence Spectrograph (EUNIS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oegerle, William (Technical Monitor); Rabin, D.; Davila, J.; Thomas, R. J.; Engler, C.; Irish, S.; Keski-Kuha, R.; Novello, J.; Nowak, M.; Payne, L.;

Diffraction and microscopy with attosecond electron pulse trains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morimoto, Yuya; Baum, Peter

2018-03-01

Attosecond spectroscopy1-7 can resolve electronic processes directly in time, but a movie-like space-time recording is impeded by the too long wavelength ( 100 times larger than atomic distances) or the source-sample entanglement in re-collision techniques8-11. Here we advance attosecond metrology to picometre wavelength and sub-atomic resolution by using free-space electrons instead of higher-harmonic photons1-7 or re-colliding wavepackets8-11. A beam of 70-keV electrons at 4.5-pm de Broglie wavelength is modulated by the electric field of laser cycles into a sequence of electron pulses with sub-optical-cycle duration. Time-resolved diffraction from crystalline silicon reveals a < 10-as delay of Bragg emission and demonstrates the possibility of analytic attosecond-ångström diffraction. Real-space electron microscopy visualizes with sub-light-cycle resolution how an optical wave propagates in space and time. This unification of attosecond science with electron microscopy and diffraction enables space-time imaging of light-driven processes in the entire range of sample morphologies that electron microscopy can access.

Resolution requirements for aero-optical simulations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mani, Ali; Wang Meng; Moin, Parviz

2008-11-10

Analytical criteria are developed to estimate the error of aero-optical computations due to inadequate spatial resolution of refractive index fields in high Reynolds number flow simulations. The unresolved turbulence structures are assumed to be locally isotropic and at low turbulent Mach number. Based on the Kolmogorov spectrum for the unresolved structures, the computational error of the optical path length is estimated and linked to the resulting error in the computed far-field optical irradiance. It is shown that in the high Reynolds number limit, for a given geometry and Mach number, the spatial resolution required to capture aero-optics within a pre-specifiedmore » error margin does not scale with Reynolds number. In typical aero-optical applications this resolution requirement is much lower than the resolution required for direct numerical simulation, and therefore, a typical large-eddy simulation can capture the aero-optical effects. The analysis is extended to complex turbulent flow simulations in which non-uniform grid spacings are used to better resolve the local turbulence structures. As a demonstration, the analysis is used to estimate the error of aero-optical computation for an optical beam passing through turbulent wake of flow over a cylinder.« less

Dosimetry of heavy ions by use of CCD detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schott, J. U.

1994-01-01

The design and the atomic composition of Charge Coupled Devices (CCD's) make them unique for investigations of single energetic particle events. As detector system for ionizing particles they detect single particles with local resolution and near real time particle tracking. In combination with its properties as optical sensor, particle transversals of single particles are to be correlated to any objects attached to the light sensitive surface of the sensor by simple imaging of their shadow and subsequent image analysis of both, optical image and particle effects, observed in affected pixels. With biological objects it is possible for the first time to investigate effects of single heavy ions in tissue or extinguished organs of metabolizing (i.e. moving) systems with a local resolution better than 15 microns. Calibration data for particle detection in CCD's are presented for low energetic protons and heavy ions.

High-resolution spectroscopy of jet-cooled CH5+: Progress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savage, C.; Dong, F.; Nesbitt, D. J.

2015-01-01

Protonated methane (CH5+) is thought to be a highly abundant molecular ion in interstellar medium, as well as a potentially bright μwave- mm wave emitter that could serve as a tracer for methane. This paper describes progress and first successful efforts to obtain a high resolution, supersonically cooled spectrum of CH5+ in the 2900-3100 cm-1 region, formed in a slit supersonic discharge at low jet temperatures and with sub-Doppler resolution. Short term precision in frequency measurement (< 5 MHz on an hour time scale) is obtained from a thermally controlled optical transfer cavity servoloop locked onto a frequency stabilized HeNe laser. Long term precision (< 20 MHz day-to-day) due to pressure, temperature and humidity dependent index of refraction effects in the optical transfer cavity is also present and discussed.

First results of the Instrumentation Line for the deep-sea ANTARES neutrino telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aguilar, J. A.; Albert, A.; Ameli, F.; Anghinolfi, M.; Anton, G.; Anvar, S.; Aslanides, E.; Aubert, J.-J.; Barbarito, E.; Basa, S.; Battaglieri, M.; Becherini, Y.; Bellotti, R.; Beltramelli, J.; Bertin, V.; Bigi, A.; Billault, M.; Blaes, R.; de Botton, N.; Bouwhuis, M. C.; Bradbury, S. M.; Bruijn, R.; Brunner, J.; Burgio, G. F.; Busto, J.; Cafagna, F.; Caillat, L.; Calzas, A.; Capone, A.; Caponetto, L.; Carmona, E.; Carr, J.; Cartwright, S. L.; Castel, D.; Castorina, E.; Cavasinni, V.; Cecchini, S.; Ceres, A.; Charvis, P.; Chauchot, P.; Chiarusi, T.; Circella, M.; Colnard, C.; Compère, C.; Coniglione, R.; Cottini, N.; Coyle, P.; Cuneo, S.; Cussatlegras, A.-S.; Damy, G.; van Dantzig, R.; De Marzo, C.; Dekeyser, I.; Delagnes, E.; Denans, D.; Deschamps, A.; Dessages-Ardellier, F.; Destelle, J.-J.; Dinkespieler, B.; Distefano, C.; Donzaud, C.; Drogou, J.-F.; Druillole, F.; Durand, D.; Ernenwein, J.-P.; Escoffier, S.; Falchini, E.; Favard, S.; Feinstein, F.; Ferry, S.; Festy, D.; Fiorello, C.; Flaminio, V.; Galeotti, S.; Gallone, J.-M.; Giacomelli, G.; Girard, N.; Gojak, C.; Goret, Ph.; Graf, K.; Hallewell, G.; Harakeh, M. N.; Hartmann, B.; Heijboer, A.; Heine, E.; Hello, Y.; Hernández-Rey, J. J.; Hößl, J.; Hoffman, C.; Hogenbirk, J.; Hubbard, J. R.; Jaquet, M.; Jaspers, M.; de Jong, M.; Jouvenot, F.; Kalantar-Nayestanaki, N.; Kappes, A.; Karg, T.; Karkar, S.; Katz, U.; Keller, P.; Kok, H.; Kooijman, P.; Kopper, C.; Korolkova, E. V.; Kouchner, A.; Kretschmer, W.; Kruijer, A.; Kuch, S.; Kudryavstev, V. A.; Lachartre, D.; Lafoux, H.; Lagier, P.; Lahmann, R.; Lamanna, G.; Lamare, P.; Languillat, J. C.; Laschinsky, H.; Le Guen, Y.; Le Provost, H.; Le Van Suu, A.; Legou, T.; Lim, G.; Lo Nigro, L.; Lo Presti, D.; Loehner, H.; Loucatos, S.; Louis, F.; Lucarelli, F.; Lyashuk, V.; Marcelin, M.; Margiotta, A.; Masullo, R.; Mazéas, F.; Mazure, A.; McMillan, J. E.; Megna, R.; Melissas, M.; Migneco, E.; Milovanovic, A.; Mongelli, M.; Montaruli, T.; Morganti, M.; Moscoso, L.; Musumeci, M.; Naumann, C.; Naumann-Godo, M.; Niess, V.; Olivetto, C.; Ostasch, R.; Palanque-Delabrouille, N.; Payre, P.; Peek, H.; Petta, C.; Piattelli, P.; Pineau, J.-P.; Poinsignon, J.; Popa, V.; Pradier, T.; Racca, C.; Randazzo, N.; van Randwijk, J.; Real, D.; van Rens, B.; Réthoré, F.; Rewiersma, P.; Riccobene, G.; Rigaud, V.; Ripani, M.; Roca, V.; Roda, C.; Rolin, J. F.; Romita, M.; Rose, H. J.; Rostovtsev, A.; Roux, J.; Ruppi, M.; Russo, G. V.; Salesa, F.; Salomon, K.; Sapienza, P.; Schmitt, F.; Schuller, J.-P.; Shanidze, R.; Sokalski, I.; Spona, T.; Spurio, M.; van der Steenhoven, G.; Stolarczyk, T.; Streeb, K.; Stubert, D.; Sulak, L.; Taiuti, M.; Tamburini, C.; Tao, C.; Terreni, G.; Thompson, L. F.; Valdy, P.; Valente, V.; Vallage, B.; Venekamp, G.; Verlaat, B.; Vernin, P.; de Vita, R.; de Vries, G.; van Wijk, R.; de Witt Huberts, P.; Wobbe, G.; de Wolf, E.; Yao, A.-F.; Zaborov, D.; Zaccone, H.; Zornoza, J. D.; Zúñiga, J.

2006-11-01

In 2005, the ANTARES Collaboration deployed and operated at a depth of 2500 m a so-called Mini Instrumentation Line equipped with Optical Modules (MILOM) at the ANTARES site. The various data acquired during the continuous operation from April to December 2005 of the MILOM confirm the satisfactory performance of the Optical Modules, their front-end electronics and readout system, as well as the calibration devices of the detector. The in situ measurement of the Optical Module time response yields a resolution better than 0.5 ns. The performance of the acoustic positioning system, which enables the spatial reconstruction of the ANTARES detector with a precision of about 10 cm, is verified. These results demonstrate that with the full ANTARES neutrino telescope the design angular resolution of better than 0.3° can be realistically achieved.

Revealing sub-μm and μm-scale textures in H2O ice at megabar pressures by time-domain Brillouin scattering

PubMed Central

Nikitin, Sergey M.; Chigarev, Nikolay; Tournat, Vincent; Bulou, Alain; Gasteau, Damien; Castagnede, Bernard; Zerr, Andreas; Gusev, Vitalyi E.

2015-01-01

The time-domain Brillouin scattering technique, also known as picosecond ultrasonic interferometry, allows monitoring of the propagation of coherent acoustic pulses, having lengths ranging from nanometres to fractions of a micrometre, in samples with dimension of less than a micrometre to tens of micrometres. In this study, we applied this technique to depth-profiling of a polycrystalline aggregate of ice compressed in a diamond anvil cell to megabar pressures. The method allowed examination of the characteristic dimensions of ice texturing in the direction normal to the diamond anvil surfaces with sub-micrometre spatial resolution via time-resolved measurements of the propagation velocity of the acoustic pulses travelling in the compressed sample. The achieved imaging of ice in depth and in one of the lateral directions indicates the feasibility of three-dimensional imaging and quantitative characterisation of the acoustical, optical and acousto-optical properties of transparent polycrystalline aggregates in a diamond anvil cell with tens of nanometres in-depth resolution and a lateral spatial resolution controlled by pump laser pulses focusing, which could approach hundreds of nanometres. PMID:25790808

Attomicroscopy: from femtosecond to attosecond electron microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassan, Mohammed Th

2018-02-01

In the last decade, the development of ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) and microscopy (UEM) have enabled the imaging of atomic motion in real time and space. These pivotal table-top tools opened the door for a vast range of applications in different areas of science spanning chemistry, physics, materials science, and biology. We first discuss the basic principles and recent advancements, including some of the important applications, of both UED and UEM. Then, we discuss the recent advances in the field that have enhanced the spatial and temporal resolutions, where the latter, is however, still limited to a few hundreds of femtoseconds, preventing the imaging of ultrafast dynamics of matter lasting few tens of femtoseconds. Then, we present our new optical gating approach for generating an isolated 30 fs electron pulse with sufficient intensity to attain a temporal resolution on the same time scale. This achievement allows, for the first time, imaging the electron dynamics of matter. Finally, we demonstrate the feasibility of the optical gating approach to generate an isolated attosecond electron pulse, utilizing our recently demonstrated optical attosecond laser pulse, which paves the way for establishing the field of ‘Attomicroscopy’, ultimately enabling us to image the electron motion in action.

Hybrid photonic signal processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghauri, Farzan Naseer

This thesis proposes research of novel hybrid photonic signal processing systems in the areas of optical communications, test and measurement, RF signal processing and extreme environment optical sensors. It will be shown that use of innovative hybrid techniques allows design of photonic signal processing systems with superior performance parameters and enhanced capabilities. These applications can be divided into domains of analog-digital hybrid signal processing applications and free-space---fiber-coupled hybrid optical sensors. The analog-digital hybrid signal processing applications include a high-performance analog-digital hybrid MEMS variable optical attenuator that can simultaneously provide high dynamic range as well as high resolution attenuation controls; an analog-digital hybrid MEMS beam profiler that allows high-power watt-level laser beam profiling and also provides both submicron-level high resolution and wide area profiling coverage; and all optical transversal RF filters that operate on the principle of broadband optical spectral control using MEMS and/or Acousto-Optic tunable Filters (AOTF) devices which can provide continuous, digital or hybrid signal time delay and weight selection. The hybrid optical sensors presented in the thesis are extreme environment pressure sensors and dual temperature-pressure sensors. The sensors employ hybrid free-space and fiber-coupled techniques for remotely monitoring a system under simultaneous extremely high temperatures and pressures.

Planar super-oscillatory lens for sub-diffraction optical needles at violet wavelengths

PubMed Central

Yuan, Guanghui; Rogers, Edward T. F.; Roy, Tapashree; Adamo, Giorgio; Shen, Zexiang; Zheludev, Nikolay I.

2014-01-01

Planar optical lenses are fundamental elements of miniaturized photonic devices. However, conventional planar optical lenses are constrained by the diffraction limit in the optical far-field due to the band-limited wavevectors supported by free-space and loss of high-spatial-frequency evanescent components. As inspired by Einstein's radiation ‘needle stick', electromagnetic energy can be delivered into an arbitrarily small solid angle. Such sub-diffraction optical needles have been numerically investigated using diffractive optical elements (DOEs) together with specially polarized optical beams, but experimental demonstration is extremely difficult due to the bulky size of DOEs and the required alignment precision. Planar super-oscillatory lenses (SOLs) were proposed to overcome these constraints and demonstrated that sub-diffraction focal spots can actually be formed without any evanescent waves, making far-field, label-free super-resolution imaging possible. Here we extend the super-oscillation concept into the vectorial-field regime to work with circularly polarized light, and experimentally demonstrate, for the first time, a circularly polarized optical needle with sub-diffraction transverse spot size (0.45λ) and axial long depth of focus (DOF) of 15λ using a planar SOL at a violet wavelength of 405 nm. This sub-diffraction circularly polarized optical needle has potential applications in circular dichroism spectroscopy, super-resolution imaging, high-density optical storage, heat-assisted magnetic recording, nano-manufacturing and nano-metrology. PMID:25208611

Imaging live cells at high spatiotemporal resolution for lab-on-a-chip applications.

PubMed

Chin, Lip Ket; Lee, Chau-Hwang; Chen, Bi-Chang

2016-05-24

Conventional optical imaging techniques are limited by the diffraction limit and difficult-to-image biomolecular and sub-cellular processes in living specimens. Novel optical imaging techniques are constantly evolving with the desire to innovate an imaging tool that is capable of seeing sub-cellular processes in a biological system, especially in three dimensions (3D) over time, i.e. 4D imaging. For fluorescence imaging on live cells, the trade-offs among imaging depth, spatial resolution, temporal resolution and photo-damage are constrained based on the limited photons of the emitters. The fundamental solution to solve this dilemma is to enlarge the photon bank such as the development of photostable and bright fluorophores, leading to the innovation in optical imaging techniques such as super-resolution microscopy and light sheet microscopy. With the synergy of microfluidic technology that is capable of manipulating biological cells and controlling their microenvironments to mimic in vivo physiological environments, studies of sub-cellular processes in various biological systems can be simplified and investigated systematically. In this review, we provide an overview of current state-of-the-art super-resolution and 3D live cell imaging techniques and their lab-on-a-chip applications, and finally discuss future research trends in new and breakthrough research areas of live specimen 4D imaging in controlled 3D microenvironments.

A safe, low-cost, and portable instrumentation for bedside time-resolved picosecond near infrared spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amouroux, Marine; Uhring, Wilfried; Pebayle, Thierry; Poulet, Patrick; Marlier, Luc

2009-07-01

Continuous wave Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used successfully in clinical environments for several years to detect cerebral activation thanks to oxymetry (i.e. absorption of photons by oxy- and deoxy- hemoglobin) measurement. The goal of our group is to build a clinically-adapted time-resolved NIRS setup i.e. a setup that is compact and robust enough to allow bedside measurements and that matches safety requirements with human patients applications. Indeed our group has already shown that time resolution allows spatial resolution and improves sensitivity of cerebral activation detection. The setup is built with four laser diodes (excitation wavelengths: 685, 780, 830 and 870 nm) whose emitted light is injected into four optical fibers; detection of reflected photons is made through an avalanche photodiode and a high resolution timing module used to record Temporal Point Spread Functions (TPSF). Validation of the device was made using cylindrically-chaped phantoms with absorbing and/or scattering inclusions. Results show that recorded TPSF are typical both of scattering and absorbing materials thus demonstrating that our apparatus would detect variation of optical properties (absorption and scattering) deep within a diffusive media just like a cerebral activation represents a rise of absorption in the cortex underneath head surface.

In-vivo, real-time cross-sectional images of retina using a GPU enhanced master slave optical coherence tomography system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bradu, Adrian; Kapinchev, Konstantin; Barnes, Frederick; Podoleanu, Adrian

2016-03-01

In our previous reports we demonstrated a novel Fourier domain optical coherence tomography method, Master Slave optical coherence tomography (MS-OCT), that does not require resampling of data and can deliver en-face images from several depths simultaneously. While ideally suited for delivering information from a selected depth, the MS-OCT has been so far inferior to the conventional FFT based OCT in terms of time of producing cross section images. Here, we demonstrate that by taking advantage of the parallel processing capabilities offered by the MS-OCT method, cross-sectional OCT images of the human retina can be produced in real-time by assembling several T-scans from different depths. We analyze the conditions that ensure a real-time B-scan imaging operation, and demonstrate in-vivo real-time images from human fovea and the optic nerve, of comparable resolution and sensitivity to those produced using the traditional Fourier domain based method.

Holographic pixel super-resolution in portable lensless on-chip microscopy using a fiber-optic array.

PubMed

Bishara, Waheb; Sikora, Uzair; Mudanyali, Onur; Su, Ting-Wei; Yaglidere, Oguzhan; Luckhart, Shirley; Ozcan, Aydogan

2011-04-07

We report a portable lensless on-chip microscope that can achieve <1 µm resolution over a wide field-of-view of ∼ 24 mm(2) without the use of any mechanical scanning. This compact on-chip microscope weighs ∼ 95 g and is based on partially coherent digital in-line holography. Multiple fiber-optic waveguides are butt-coupled to light emitting diodes, which are controlled by a low-cost micro-controller to sequentially illuminate the sample. The resulting lensfree holograms are then captured by a digital sensor-array and are rapidly processed using a pixel super-resolution algorithm to generate much higher resolution holographic images (both phase and amplitude) of the objects. This wide-field and high-resolution on-chip microscope, being compact and light-weight, would be important for global health problems such as diagnosis of infectious diseases in remote locations. Toward this end, we validate the performance of this field-portable microscope by imaging human malaria parasites (Plasmodium falciparum) in thin blood smears. Our results constitute the first-time that a lensfree on-chip microscope has successfully imaged malaria parasites.

Observing Optical Plasmons on a Single Nanometer Scale

PubMed Central

Cohen, Moshik; Shavit, Reuven; Zalevsky, Zeev

2014-01-01

The exceptional capability of plasmonic structures to confine light into deep subwavelength volumes has fashioned rapid expansion of interest from both fundamental and applicative perspectives. Surface plasmon nanophotonics enables to investigate light - matter interaction in deep nanoscale and harness electromagnetic and quantum properties of materials, thus opening pathways for tremendous potential applications. However, imaging optical plasmonic waves on a single nanometer scale is yet a substantial challenge mainly due to size and energy considerations. Here, for the first time, we use Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) under optical illumination to image and characterize plasmonic modes. We experimentally demonstrate unprecedented spatial resolution and measurement sensitivity both on the order of a single nanometer. By comparing experimentally obtained images with theoretical calculation results, we show that KPFM maps may provide valuable information on the phase of the optical near field. Additionally, we propose a theoretical model for the relation between surface plasmons and the material workfunction measured by KPFM. Our findings provide the path for using KPFM for high resolution measurements of optical plasmons, prompting the scientific frontier towards quantum plasmonic imaging on submolecular scales. PMID:24556874

Ultra-high resolution coded wavefront sensor.

PubMed

Wang, Congli; Dun, Xiong; Fu, Qiang; Heidrich, Wolfgang

2017-06-12

Wavefront sensors and more general phase retrieval methods have recently attracted a lot of attention in a host of application domains, ranging from astronomy to scientific imaging and microscopy. In this paper, we introduce a new class of sensor, the Coded Wavefront Sensor, which provides high spatio-temporal resolution using a simple masked sensor under white light illumination. Specifically, we demonstrate megapixel spatial resolution and phase accuracy better than 0.1 wavelengths at reconstruction rates of 50 Hz or more, thus opening up many new applications from high-resolution adaptive optics to real-time phase retrieval in microscopy.

Spatial resolution limitation of liquid crystal spatial light modulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xinghua; Wang, Bin; McManamon, Paul F., III; Pouch, John J.; Miranda, Felix A.; Anderson, James E.; Bos, Philip J.

2004-10-01

The effect of fringing electric fields in a liquid crystal (LC) Optical Phased Array (OPA), also referred to as a spatial light modulator (SLM), is a governing factor that determines the diffraction efficiency (DE) of the LC OPA for high resolution spatial phase modulation. In this article, the fringing field effect in a high resolution LC OPA is studied by accurate modeling the DE of the LC blazed gratings by LC director simulation and Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulation. Influence factors that contribute significantly to the DE are discussed. Such results provide fundamental understanding for high resolution LC devices.

Dynamic properties of the adaptive optics system depending on the temporary transformations of mirror control voltages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavrinov, V. V.; Lavrinova, L. N.

2017-11-01

The statistically optimal control algorithm for the correcting mirror is formed by constructing a prediction of distortions of the optical signal and improves the time resolution of the adaptive optics system. The prediction of distortions is based on an analysis of the dynamics of changes in the optical inhomogeneities of the turbulent atmosphere or the evolution of phase fluctuations at the input aperture of the adaptive system. Dynamic properties of the system are manifested during the temporary transformation of the stresses controlling the mirror and are determined by the dynamic characteristics of the flexible mirror.

Fan-beam scanning laser optical computed tomography for large volume dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dekker, K. H.; Battista, J. J.; Jordan, K. J.

2017-05-01

A prototype scanning-laser fan beam optical CT scanner is reported which is capable of high resolution, large volume dosimetry with reasonable scan time. An acylindrical, asymmetric aquarium design is presented which serves to 1) generate parallel-beam scan geometry, 2) focus light towards a small acceptance angle detector, and 3) avoid interference fringe-related artifacts. Preliminary experiments with uniform solution phantoms (11 and 15 cm diameter) and finger phantoms (13.5 mm diameter FEP tubing) demonstrate that the design allows accurate optical CT imaging, with optical CT measurements agreeing within 3% of independent Beer-Lambert law calculations.

Dust aerosols above the south polar cap of Mars as seen by OMEGA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vincendon, M.; Langevin, Y.; Poulet, F.; Bibring, J.-P.; Gondet, B.; Jouglet, D.; Omega Team

2008-08-01

The time evolution of atmospheric dust at high southern latitudes on Mars has been determined using observations of the south seasonal cap acquired in the near infrared (1-2.65 μm) by OMEGA/Mars Express in 2005. Observations at different solar zenith angles and one EPF sequence demonstrate that the reflectance in the 2.64 μm saturated absorption band of the surface CO 2 ice is mainly due to the light scattered by aerosols above most places of the seasonal cap. We have mapped the total optical depth of dust aerosols in the near-IR above the south seasonal cap of Mars from mid-spring to early summer with a time resolution ranging from one day to one week and a spatial resolution of a few kilometers. The optical depth above the south perennial cap is determined on a longer time range covering southern spring and summer. A constant set of optical properties of dust aerosols is consistent with OMEGA observations during the analyzed period. Strong variations of the optical depth are observed over small horizontal and temporal scales, corresponding in part to moving dust clouds. The late summer peak in dust opacity observed by Opportunity in 2005 propagated to the south pole contrarily to that observed in mid spring. This may be linked to evidence for dust scavenging by water ice-rich clouds circulating at high southern latitudes at this season.

Optical Coherence Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, David

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new method for noninvasive cross-sectional imaging in biological systems. In OCT, the longitudinal locations of tissue structures are determined by measuring the time-of-flight delays of light backscattered from these structures. The optical delays are measured by low coherence interferometry. Information on lateral position is provided by transverse scanning of the probe beam. The two dimensional map of optical scattering from internal tissue microstructures is then represented in a false-color or grayscale image. OCT is the optical analog of ultrasonic pulse-echo imaging, but with greatly improved spatial resolutions (a few microns). This thesis describes the development of this new high resolution tomographic imaging technology and the demonstration of its use in a variety of tissues under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. In vitro OCT ranging and imaging studies were performed using human ocular and arterial tissues, two clinically relevant examples of transparent and turbid media, respectively. In the anterior eye, precise measurements of cornea and anterior chamber dimensions were made. In the arterial specimens, the differentiation between fatty -calcified and fibromuscular tissues was demonstrated. In vivo OCT imaging in the retina and optic nerve head in human subjects was also performed. The delineation of retinal layers, which has not been possible with other noninvasive imaging techniques, is demonstrated in these OCT images. OCT has high spatial resolution but limited penetration into turbid tissue. It has potential for diagnostic applications where high resolution is needed and optical access is available, such as in the eye, skin, surgically exposed tissues, and surfaces that can be reached by various catheters and endoscopic probes. In particular, the measurement of fine retinal structures promises improvements in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma, macular edema and other vitreo-retinal diseases. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253 -1690.).

Measurement of Sediment Deposition Rates using an Optical Backscatter Sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ridd, P.; Day, G.; Thomas, S.; Harradence, J.; Fox, D.; Bunt, J.; Renagi, O.; Jago, C.

2001-02-01

An optical method for measuring siltation of sediment has been developed using an optical fibre backscatter (OBS) nephelometer. Sediment settling upon the optical fibre sensor causes an increase in the backscatter reading which can be related to the settled sediment surface density (SSSD) as measured in units of mg cm -2. Calibration and laboratory tests indicate that the resolution of measurements of SSSD is 0·01 mg cm -2and an accuracy of 5% in still water. In moving water it is more difficult to determine the accuracy of the method because other methods with suitable resolution are unavailable. However, indirect methods using measurements of changing suspended sediment concentration in a ring flume, indicate that the OBS method under-predicts deposition. The series of siltation from three field sites are presented. This sensor offers considerable advances over other methods of measuring settling because time series of settling may be taken and thus settling events may be related to other hydrodynamic parameters such as wave climate and currents.

High resolution spectroscopic optical coherence tomography in the 900-1100 nm wavelength range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bizheva, Kostadinka K.; Povazay, Boris; Apolonski, Alexander A.; Unterhuber, Angelika; Hermann, Boris; Sattmann, Harald; Russell, Phillip S. J.; Krausz, Ferenc; Fercher, Adolf F.; Drexler, Wolfgang

2002-06-01

We demonstrate for the first time optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the 900-1100 nm wavelength range. A photonic crystal fiber (PCF) in combination with a sub-15fs Ti:sapphire laser is used to produce an emission spectrum with an optical bandwidth of 35 nm centered at ~1070 nm. Coupling the light from the PCF based source to an optimized free space OCT system results in ~15 micrometers axial resolution in air, corresponding to ~10 micrometers in biological tissue. The near infrared wavelength range around 1100 nm is very attractive for high resolution ophthalmologic OCT imaging of the anterior and posterior eye segment with enhanced penetration. The emission spectrum of the PCF based light source can also be reshaped and tuned to cover the wavelength region around 950-970 nm, where water absorption has a local peak. Therefore, the OCT system described in this paper can also be used for spatially resolved water absorption measurements in non-transparent biological tissue. A preliminary qualitative spectroscopic Oct measurement in D2O and H2 O phantoms is described in this paper.

Ophthalmological OCT measuring arm design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Xiaonan; Gao, Jiansong; Guo, Jihua; Xue, Ping

2002-06-01

This paper presents a novel ophthamological optical coherence tomography detecting instrument that we design and introduces measuring arm emphatically. For the glaucoma is very common in the orient, this system can achieve both the eyeground detection and the canthus detection. And it combines the cranny lamp's conventional detection with optical coherence tomography. In order to gain the best resolution and the largest scanning range in the OCT detection, we find the optical system should obey these principles in the measuring arm design: (i) the parallel light from the collimator goes through the lens and focuses on the slot of the cranny lamp. The movement of the scanning point produced by the scanner is carrying on along the slot. (Ii) In the whole light route, the scanner images on the laser object lens of the OCT. The center light of the infrared goes through the center of the object lens all the time. Considering all the system, this design has a longitudinal resolution of 15micrometers , and a transverse resolution of 20micrometers at imaging velocity of 4 frames per second.

High-resolution and fast-response fiber-optic temperature sensor using silicon Fabry-Pérot cavity.

PubMed

Liu, Guigen; Han, Ming; Hou, Weilin

2015-03-23

We report a fiber-optic sensor based on a silicon Fabry-Pérot cavity, fabricated by attaching a silicon pillar on the tip of a single-mode fiber, for high-resolution and high-speed temperature measurement. The large thermo-optic coefficient and thermal expansion coefficient of the silicon material give rise to an experimental sensitivity of 84.6 pm/°C. The excellent transparency and large refractive index of silicon over the infrared wavelength range result in a visibility of 33 dB for the reflection spectrum. A novel average wavelength tracking method has been proposed and demonstrated for sensor demodulation with improved signal-to-noise ratio, which leads to a temperature resolution of 6 × 10⁻⁴ °C. Due to the high thermal diffusivity of silicon, a response time as short as 0.51 ms for a sensor with an 80-µm-diameter and 200-µm-long silicon pillar has been experimentally achieved, suggesting a maximum frequency of ~2 kHz can be reached, to address the needs for highly dynamic environmental variations such as those found in the ocean.

X-ray and optical emission-line filaments in the cooling flow cluster 2A 0335 + 096

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sarazin, Craig L.; O'Connell, Robert W.; Mcnamara, Brian R.

1992-01-01

We present a new high-resolution X-ray image of the 2A 0335 + 096 cluster of galaxies obtained with the High Resolution Imager (HRI) aboard the ROSAT satellite. The presence of dense gas having a very short cooling time in the central regions confirms its earlier identification as a cooling flow. The X-ray emission from the central regions of the cooling flow shows a great deal of filamentary structure. Using the crude spectral resolution of the HRI, we show that these filaments are the result of excess emission, rather than foreground X-ray absorption. Although there are uncertainties in the pointing, many of the X-ray features in the cooling flow region correspond to features in H-alpha optical line emission. This suggests that the optical emission line gas has resulted directly from the cooling of X-ray-emitting gas. The filament material cannot be in hydrostatic equilibrium, and it is likely that other forces such as rotation, turbulence, and magnetic fields influence the dynamical state of the gas.

Nondestructive analysis of automotive paints with spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Dong, Yue; Lawman, Samuel; Zheng, Yalin; Williams, Dominic; Zhang, Jinke; Shen, Yao-Chun

2016-05-01

We have demonstrated for the first time, to our knowledge, the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as an analytical tool for nondestructively characterizing the individual paint layer thickness of multiple layered automotive paints. A graph-based segmentation method was used for automatic analysis of the thickness distribution for the top layers of solid color paints. The thicknesses measured with OCT were in good agreement with the optical microscope and ultrasonic techniques that are the current standard in the automobile industry. Because of its high axial resolution (5.5 μm), the OCT technique was shown to be able to resolve the thickness of individual paint layers down to 11 μm. With its high lateral resolution (12.4 μm), the OCT system was also able to measure the cross-sectional area of the aluminum flakes in a metallic automotive paint. The range of values measured was 300-1850  μm². In summary, the proposed OCT is a noncontact, high-resolution technique that has the potential for inclusion as part of the quality assurance process in automobile coating.

An innovative Yb-based ultrafast deep ultraviolet source for time-resolved photoemission experiments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boschini, F.; Hedayat, H.; Dallera, C.

2014-12-15

Time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy is a powerful technique to study ultrafast electronic dynamics in solids. Here, an innovative optical setup based on a 100-kHz Yb laser source is presented. Exploiting non-collinear optical parametric amplification and sum-frequency generation, ultrashort pump (hν = 1.82 eV) and ultraviolet probe (hν = 6.05 eV) pulses are generated. Overall temporal and instrumental energy resolutions of, respectively, 85 fs and 50 meV are obtained. Time- and angle-resolved measurements on BiTeI semiconductor are presented to show the capabilities of the setup.

Optical alignment of high resolution Fourier transform spectrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breckinridge, J. B.; Ocallaghan, F. G.; Cassie, A. G.

1980-01-01

Remote sensing, high resolution FTS instruments often contain three primary optical subsystems: Fore-Optics, Interferometer Optics, and Post, or Detector Optics. We discuss the alignment of a double-pass FTS containing a cat's-eye retro-reflector. Also, the alignment of fore-optics containing confocal paraboloids with a reflecting field stop which relays a field image onto a camera is discussed.

High spatial resolution distributed optical fiber dynamic strain sensor with enhanced frequency and strain resolution.

PubMed

Masoudi, Ali; Newson, Trevor P

2017-01-15

A distributed optical fiber dynamic strain sensor with high spatial and frequency resolution is demonstrated. The sensor, which uses the ϕ-OTDR interrogation technique, exhibited a higher sensitivity thanks to an improved optical arrangement and a new signal processing procedure. The proposed sensing system is capable of fully quantifying multiple dynamic perturbations along a 5 km long sensing fiber with a frequency and spatial resolution of 5 Hz and 50 cm, respectively. The strain resolution of the sensor was measured to be 40 nε.

High-Resolution Fibre-Optic Temperature Sensing: A New Tool to Study the Two-Dimensional Structure of Atmospheric Surface-Layer Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, Christoph K.; Kennedy, Adam M.; Selker, John S.; Moretti, Ayla; Schroth, Martin H.; Smoot, Alexander R.; Tufillaro, Nicholas B.; Zeeman, Matthias J.

2012-02-01

We present a novel approach based on fibre-optic distributed temperature sensing (DTS) to measure the two-dimensional thermal structure of the surface layer at high resolution (0.25 m, ≈0.5 Hz). Air temperature observations obtained from a vertically-oriented fibre-optics array of approximate dimensions 8 m × 8 m and sonic anemometer data from two levels were collected over a short grass field located in the flat bottom of a wide valley with moderate surface heterogeneity. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the potential of the DTS technique to study small-scale processes in the surface layer over a wide range of atmospheric stability, and to analyze the space-time dynamics of transient cold-air pools in the calm boundary layer. The time response and precision of the fibre-based temperatures were adequate to resolve individual sub-metre sized turbulent and non-turbulent structures, of time scales of seconds, in the convective, neutral, and stable surface layer. Meaningful sensible heat fluxes were computed using the eddy-covariance technique when combined with vertical wind observations. We present a framework that determines the optimal environmental conditions for applying the fibre-optics technique in the surface layer and identifies areas for potentially significant improvements of the DTS performance. The top of the transient cold-air pool was highly non-stationary indicating a superposition of perturbations of different time and length scales. Vertical eddy scales in the strongly stratified transient cold-air pool derived from the DTS data agreed well with the buoyancy length scale computed using the vertical velocity variance and the Brunt-Vaisala frequency, while scales for weak stratification disagreed. The high-resolution DTS technique opens a new window into spatially sampling geophysical fluid flows including turbulent energy exchange.

Real-time optical diagnostics of graphene growth induced by pulsed chemical vapor deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puretzky, Alexander A.; Geohegan, David B.; Pannala, Sreekanth; Rouleau, Christopher M.; Regmi, Murari; Thonnard, Norbert; Eres, Gyula

2013-06-01

The kinetics and mechanisms of graphene growth on Ni films at 720-880 °C have been measured using fast pulses of acetylene and real-time optical diagnostics. In situ UV-Raman spectroscopy was used to unambiguously detect isothermal graphene growth at high temperatures, measure the growth kinetics with ~1 s temporal resolution, and estimate the fractional precipitation upon cooldown. Optical reflectivity and videography provided much faster temporal resolution. Both the growth kinetics and the fractional isothermal precipitation were found to be governed by the C2H2 partial pressure in the CVD pulse for a given film thickness and temperature, with up to ~94% of graphene growth occurring isothermally within 1 second at 800 °C at high partial pressures. At lower partial pressures, isothermal graphene growth is shown to continue 10 seconds after the gas pulse. These flux-dependent growth kinetics are described in the context of a dissolution/precipitation model, where carbon rapidly dissolves into the Ni film and later precipitates driven by gradients in the chemical potential. The combination of pulsed-CVD and real-time optical diagnostics opens new opportunities to understand and control the fast, sub-second growth of graphene on various substrates at high temperatures.The kinetics and mechanisms of graphene growth on Ni films at 720-880 °C have been measured using fast pulses of acetylene and real-time optical diagnostics. In situ UV-Raman spectroscopy was used to unambiguously detect isothermal graphene growth at high temperatures, measure the growth kinetics with ~1 s temporal resolution, and estimate the fractional precipitation upon cooldown. Optical reflectivity and videography provided much faster temporal resolution. Both the growth kinetics and the fractional isothermal precipitation were found to be governed by the C2H2 partial pressure in the CVD pulse for a given film thickness and temperature, with up to ~94% of graphene growth occurring isothermally within 1 second at 800 °C at high partial pressures. At lower partial pressures, isothermal graphene growth is shown to continue 10 seconds after the gas pulse. These flux-dependent growth kinetics are described in the context of a dissolution/precipitation model, where carbon rapidly dissolves into the Ni film and later precipitates driven by gradients in the chemical potential. The combination of pulsed-CVD and real-time optical diagnostics opens new opportunities to understand and control the fast, sub-second growth of graphene on various substrates at high temperatures. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: A movie of graphene growth after exposure to a single C2H2 pulse, modeling of gas dynamics, Raman map and spectra of graphene transferred to a SiO2/Si substrate, time-resolved reflectivity upon exposure to a pure Ar pulse, Raman map of I(2D)/I(G) ratios for 800 °C and 20% C2H2 concentration, comparison of Raman spectra of a single layer suspended graphene at 532 nm and 404.5 nm, processing of reflectivity curves for comparison with growth kinetics based on Raman measurements. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr01436c

Doppler optical coherence microscopy and tomography applied to inner ear mechanics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Page, Scott; Freeman, Dennis M.; Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

While it is clear that cochlear traveling waves underlie the extraordinary sensitivity, frequency selectivity, and dynamic range of mammalian hearing, the underlying micromechanical mechanisms remain unresolved. Recent advances in low coherence measurement techniques show promise over traditional laser Doppler vibrometry and video microscopy, which are limited by low reflectivities of cochlear structures and restricted optical access. Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) and Doppler optical coherence microscopy (DOCM) both utilize a broadband source to limit constructive interference of scattered light to a small axial depth called a coherence gate. The coherence gate can be swept axially to image and measure sub-nanometermore » motions of cochlear structures throughout the cochlear partition. The coherence gate of DOCT is generally narrower than the confocal gate of the focusing optics, enabling increased axial resolution (typically 15 μm) within optical sections of the cochlear partition. DOCM, frequently implemented in the time domain, centers the coherence gate on the focal plane, achieving enhanced lateral and axial resolution when the confocal gate is narrower than the coherence gate. We compare these two complementary systems and demonstrate their utility in studying cellular and micromechanical mechanisms involved in mammalian hearing.« less

Optical quality of the living cat eye

PubMed Central

Bonds, A. B.

1974-01-01

1. The optical quality of the living cat eye was measured under conditions similar to those of cat retinal ganglion cell experiments by recording the aerial image of a nearly monochromatic thin line of light. 2. Experiments were performed to assess the nature of the fundal reflexion of the cat eye, which was found to behave essentially as a diffuser. 3. The optical Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) was calculated from the measured aerial linespread using Fourier mathematics; the MTF of a `typical' cat eye was averaged from data collected from ten eyes. 4. The state of focus of the optical system, the pupil size and the angle of the light incident on the eye were all varied to determine their effect on image quality. 5. By using an image rotator, the aerial linespread was measured for several orientations of the line; these measurements yielded an approximation of the two-dimensional pointspread completely characterizing the optical system. 6. Evidence is reviewed to show that the optical resolution of the cat, albeit some 3-5 times worse than that of human, appears to be better than the neural resolution of its retina and its visual system as a whole. PMID:4449081

Optical quality of the living cat eye.

PubMed

Bonds, A B

1974-12-01

1. The optical quality of the living cat eye was measured under conditions similar to those of cat retinal ganglion cell experiments by recording the aerial image of a nearly monochromatic thin line of light.2. Experiments were performed to assess the nature of the fundal reflexion of the cat eye, which was found to behave essentially as a diffuser.3. The optical Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) was calculated from the measured aerial linespread using Fourier mathematics; the MTF of a ;typical' cat eye was averaged from data collected from ten eyes.4. The state of focus of the optical system, the pupil size and the angle of the light incident on the eye were all varied to determine their effect on image quality.5. By using an image rotator, the aerial linespread was measured for several orientations of the line; these measurements yielded an approximation of the two-dimensional pointspread completely characterizing the optical system.6. Evidence is reviewed to show that the optical resolution of the cat, albeit some 3-5 times worse than that of human, appears to be better than the neural resolution of its retina and its visual system as a whole.

Quest for ultrahigh resolution in X-ray optics. [for solar astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, J. M.; Krieger, A. S.; Silk, J. K.; Chase, R. C.

1979-01-01

A program of solar X-ray astronomy using grazing incidence optics has culminated in X-ray images of the corona having one arc second spatial resolution. These images have demonstrated that, in general, X-ray optics can be fabricated to their specifications and can provide the level of resolution for which they are designed. Several aspects of these programs relating to the performance of X-ray optics in regard to resolution, including the point response function, the variation of resolution with off-axis position and the recognition that nearly all solar X-ray images have been film limited, are discussed. By extending the experience gained on this and other programs it is clearly possible to design and fabricate X-ray optics with sub arc sec resolution. The performance required to meet the scientific objectives for the remainder of the century are discussed in relation to AXIO, an Advanced X-Ray Imaging Observatory for solar observations which is proposed for flight on the Space Shuttle. Several configurations of AXIO are described, each of which would be a major step in the quest for ultrahigh-resolution observations.

Sub-micron materials characterization using near-field optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blodgett, David Wesley

1998-12-01

High-resolution sub-surface materials characterization and inspection are critical in the microelectronics and thin films industries. To this end, a technique is described that couples the bulk property measurement capabilities of high-frequency ultrasound with the high-resolution surface imaging capabilities of the near-field optical microscope. Sensing bulk microstructure variations in the material, such as grain boundaries, requires a detection footprint smaller than the variation itself. The near-field optical microscope, with the ability to exceed the diffraction limit in optical resolution, meets this requirement. Two apertureless near-field optical microscopes, on-axis and off-axis illumination, have been designed and built. Near-field and far-field approach curves for both microscopes are presented. The sensitivity of the near-field approach curve was 8.3 muV/nm. Resolution studies for the near-field microscope indicate optical resolutions on the order of 50 nm, which exceeds the diffraction limit. The near-field microscope has been adapted to detect both contact-transducer-generated and laser-generated ultrasound. The successful detection of high-frequency ultrasound with the near-field optical microscope demonstrates the potential of this technique.

Long-range time-of-flight scanning sensor based on high-speed time-correlated single-photon counting

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McCarthy, Aongus; Collins, Robert J.; Krichel, Nils J.

2009-11-10

We describe a scanning time-of-flight system which uses the time-correlated single-photon counting technique to produce three-dimensional depth images of distant, noncooperative surfaces when these targets are illuminated by a kHz to MHz repetition rate pulsed laser source. The data for the scene are acquired using a scanning optical system and an individual single-photon detector. Depth images have been successfully acquired with centimeter xyz resolution, in daylight conditions, for low-signature targets in field trials at distances of up to 325 m using an output illumination with an average optical power of less than 50 {mu}W.

Multibeam interferometric illumination as the primary source of resolution in optical microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryu, J.; Hong, S. S.; Horn, B. K. P.; Freeman, D. M.; Mermelstein, M. S.

2006-04-01

High-resolution images of a fluorescent target were obtained using a low-resolution optical detector by illuminating the target with interference patterns produced with 31 coherent beams. The beams were arranged in a cone with 78° half angle to produce illumination patterns consistent with a numerical aperture of 0.98. High-resolution images were constructed from low-resolution images taken with 930 different illumination patterns. Results for optical detectors with numerical apertures of 0.1 and 0.2 were similar, demonstrating that the resolution is primarily determined by the illuminator and not by the low-resolution detector. Furthermore, the long working distance, large depth of field, and large field of view of the low-resolution detector are preserved.

Generation of optical OFDM signals using 21.4 GS/s real time digital signal processing.

PubMed

Benlachtar, Yannis; Watts, Philip M; Bouziane, Rachid; Milder, Peter; Rangaraj, Deepak; Cartolano, Anthony; Koutsoyannis, Robert; Hoe, James C; Püschel, Markus; Glick, Madeleine; Killey, Robert I

2009-09-28

We demonstrate a field programmable gate array (FPGA) based optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transmitter implementing real time digital signal processing at a sample rate of 21.4 GS/s. The QPSK-OFDM signal is generated using an 8 bit, 128 point inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) core, performing one transform per clock cycle at a clock speed of 167.2 MHz and can be deployed with either a direct-detection or a coherent receiver. The hardware design and the main digital signal processing functions are described, and we show that the main performance limitation is due to the low (4-bit) resolution of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and the 8-bit resolution of the IFFT core used. We analyze the back-to-back performance of the transmitter generating an 8.36 Gb/s optical single sideband (SSB) OFDM signal using digital up-conversion, suitable for direct-detection. Additionally, we use the device to transmit 8.36 Gb/s SSB OFDM signals over 200 km of uncompensated standard single mode fiber achieving an overall BER<10(-3).

The Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager (FOXSI)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christe, Steven; Glesener, L.; Krucker, S.; Ramsey, B.; Takahashi, T.; Lin, R.

2009-05-01

The Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager (FOXSI) is a NASA Low Cost Access to Space sounding rocket payload scheduled for launch late 2010. FOXSI will provide imaging spectroscopy with high sensitivity ( 50 times RHESSI) and high dynamic range ( 100) in hard X-rays (HXR) up to 15 keV. For the first time, it will be possible to search for nonthermal emission of thermal network flares occurring in the quiet corona in order to determine whether they are similar to active region flares. Additionally, FOXSI will extend the active-region flare distribution to events two orders of magnitude smaller than previously observed and determine their contribution to coronal heating. FOXSI is able to achieve this unprecendeted advance in solar HXR observations through the combination of nested HXR optics developped by the Marshall Space Flight Center and novel silicon strip detectors provided by ISAS Japan. The FOXSI mission will provide HXR spectroscopic imaging with an angular resolution of 12" (FWHM) and 1 keV energy resolution. FOXSI will be a pathfinder for the future generation of solar HXR spectroscopic imagers.

Interlaced zone plate optics for hard X-ray imaging in the 10 nm range

DOE PAGES

Mohacsi, Istvan; Vartiainen, Ismo; Rosner, Benedikt; ...

2017-03-08

Multi-keV X-ray microscopy has been particularly successful in bridging the resolution gap between optical and electron microscopy. However, resolutions below 20 nm are still considered challenging, as high throughput direct imaging methods are limited by the availability of suitable optical elements. In order to bridge this gap, we present a new type of Fresnel zone plate lenses aimed at the sub-20 and the sub-10 nm resolution range. By extending the concept of double-sided zone plate stacking, we demonstrate the doubling of the effective line density and thus the resolution and provide large aperture, single- chip optical devices with 15 andmore » 7 nm smallest zone widths. The detailed characterization of these lenses shows excellent optical properties with focal spots down to 7.8 nm. Furthermore, beyond wave front characterization, the zone plates also excel in typical imaging scenarios, verifying their resolution close to their diffraction limited optical performance.« less

Interlaced zone plate optics for hard X-ray imaging in the 10 nm range

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mohacsi, Istvan; Vartiainen, Ismo; Rosner, Benedikt

Multi-keV X-ray microscopy has been particularly successful in bridging the resolution gap between optical and electron microscopy. However, resolutions below 20 nm are still considered challenging, as high throughput direct imaging methods are limited by the availability of suitable optical elements. In order to bridge this gap, we present a new type of Fresnel zone plate lenses aimed at the sub-20 and the sub-10 nm resolution range. By extending the concept of double-sided zone plate stacking, we demonstrate the doubling of the effective line density and thus the resolution and provide large aperture, single- chip optical devices with 15 andmore » 7 nm smallest zone widths. The detailed characterization of these lenses shows excellent optical properties with focal spots down to 7.8 nm. Furthermore, beyond wave front characterization, the zone plates also excel in typical imaging scenarios, verifying their resolution close to their diffraction limited optical performance.« less

Interlaced zone plate optics for hard X-ray imaging in the 10 nm range

PubMed Central

Mohacsi, Istvan; Vartiainen, Ismo; Rösner, Benedikt; Guizar-Sicairos, Manuel; Guzenko, Vitaliy A.; McNulty, Ian; Winarski, Robert; Holt, Martin V.; David, Christian

2017-01-01

Multi-keV X-ray microscopy has been particularly successful in bridging the resolution gap between optical and electron microscopy. However, resolutions below 20 nm are still considered challenging, as high throughput direct imaging methods are limited by the availability of suitable optical elements. In order to bridge this gap, we present a new type of Fresnel zone plate lenses aimed at the sub-20 and the sub-10 nm resolution range. By extending the concept of double-sided zone plate stacking, we demonstrate the doubling of the effective line density and thus the resolution and provide large aperture, singlechip optical devices with 15 and 7 nm smallest zone widths. The detailed characterization of these lenses shows excellent optical properties with focal spots down to 7.8 nm. Beyond wave front characterization, the zone plates also excel in typical imaging scenarios, verifying their resolution close to their diffraction limited optical performance.

Interlaced zone plate optics for hard X-ray imaging in the 10 nm range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohacsi, Istvan; Vartiainen, Ismo; Rösner, Benedikt; Guizar-Sicairos, Manuel; Guzenko, Vitaliy A.; McNulty, Ian; Winarski, Robert; Holt, Martin V.; David, Christian

2017-03-01

Multi-keV X-ray microscopy has been particularly successful in bridging the resolution gap between optical and electron microscopy. However, resolutions below 20 nm are still considered challenging, as high throughput direct imaging methods are limited by the availability of suitable optical elements. In order to bridge this gap, we present a new type of Fresnel zone plate lenses aimed at the sub-20 and the sub-10 nm resolution range. By extending the concept of double-sided zone plate stacking, we demonstrate the doubling of the effective line density and thus the resolution and provide large aperture, singlechip optical devices with 15 and 7 nm smallest zone widths. The detailed characterization of these lenses shows excellent optical properties with focal spots down to 7.8 nm. Beyond wave front characterization, the zone plates also excel in typical imaging scenarios, verifying their resolution close to their diffraction limited optical performance.

A study of the high-precision displacement laser probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Yuming; Zhang, Guoxiong

2006-06-01

On the basis of the measuring principle of the dynamic active optical confocal probe based on time difference measurement that has a reference path, a dynamic active optical confocal probe based on time difference measurement but has no reference path is developed. In this paper, the working principle of this optical confocal probe is dissertated. A large-scale integrated measuring system is designed to simplify the structure of the probe and to enhance the stability of the probe. Single-chip microcomputer system with a high-speed ADC is selected in the measurement and control system of the probe. At the end of the paper, experiments on the performance of the optical confocal probe based on time difference measurement with no reference path are carried out. Experiment results show that the probe has a measuring resolution of 0.05μm, a measuring range of 0.2mm and a linearity of 0.4μm.

Ultrasound-modulated optical tomography with intense acoustic bursts.

PubMed

Zemp, Roger J; Kim, Chulhong; Wang, Lihong V

2007-04-01

Ultrasound-modulated optical tomography (UOT) detects ultrasonically modulated light to spatially localize multiply scattered photons in turbid media with the ultimate goal of imaging the optical properties in living subjects. A principal challenge of the technique is weak modulated signal strength. We discuss ways to push the limits of signal enhancement with intense acoustic bursts while conforming to optical and ultrasonic safety standards. A CCD-based speckle-contrast detection scheme is used to detect acoustically modulated light by measuring changes in speckle statistics between ultrasound-on and ultrasound-off states. The CCD image capture is synchronized with the ultrasound burst pulse sequence. Transient acoustic radiation force, a consequence of bursts, is seen to produce slight signal enhancement over pure ultrasonic-modulation mechanisms for bursts and CCD exposure times of the order of milliseconds. However, acoustic radiation-force-induced shear waves are launched away from the acoustic sample volume, which degrade UOT spatial resolution. By time gating the CCD camera to capture modulated light before radiation force has an opportunity to accumulate significant tissue displacement, we reduce the effects of shear-wave image degradation, while enabling very high signal-to-noise ratios. Additionally, we maintain high-resolution images representative of optical and not mechanical contrast. Signal-to-noise levels are sufficiently high so as to enable acquisition of 2D images of phantoms with one acoustic burst per pixel.

STOCHASTIC OPTICS: A SCATTERING MITIGATION FRAMEWORK FOR RADIO INTERFEROMETRIC IMAGING

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, Michael D., E-mail: mjohnson@cfa.harvard.edu

2016-12-10

Just as turbulence in the Earth’s atmosphere can severely limit the angular resolution of optical telescopes, turbulence in the ionized interstellar medium fundamentally limits the resolution of radio telescopes. We present a scattering mitigation framework for radio imaging with very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) that partially overcomes this limitation. Our framework, “stochastic optics,” derives from a simplification of strong interstellar scattering to separate small-scale (“diffractive”) effects from large-scale (“refractive”) effects, thereby separating deterministic and random contributions to the scattering. Stochastic optics extends traditional synthesis imaging by simultaneously reconstructing an unscattered image and its refractive perturbations. Its advantages over direct imagingmore » come from utilizing the many deterministic properties of the scattering—such as the time-averaged “blurring,” polarization independence, and the deterministic evolution in frequency and time—while still accounting for the stochastic image distortions on large scales. These distortions are identified in the image reconstructions through regularization by their time-averaged power spectrum. Using synthetic data, we show that this framework effectively removes the blurring from diffractive scattering while reducing the spurious image features from refractive scattering. Stochastic optics can provide significant improvements over existing scattering mitigation strategies and is especially promising for imaging the Galactic Center supermassive black hole, Sagittarius A*, with the Global mm-VLBI Array and with the Event Horizon Telescope.« less

Ultrafast superresolution fluorescence imaging with spinning disk confocal microscope optics.

PubMed

Hayashi, Shinichi; Okada, Yasushi

2015-05-01

Most current superresolution (SR) microscope techniques surpass the diffraction limit at the expense of temporal resolution, compromising their applications to live-cell imaging. Here we describe a new SR fluorescence microscope based on confocal microscope optics, which we name the spinning disk superresolution microscope (SDSRM). Theoretically, the SDSRM is equivalent to a structured illumination microscope (SIM) and achieves a spatial resolution of 120 nm, double that of the diffraction limit of wide-field fluorescence microscopy. However, the SDSRM is 10 times faster than a conventional SIM because SR signals are recovered by optical demodulation through the stripe pattern of the disk. Therefore a single SR image requires only a single averaged image through the rotating disk. On the basis of this theory, we modified a commercial spinning disk confocal microscope. The improved resolution around 120 nm was confirmed with biological samples. The rapid dynamics of micro-tubules, mitochondria, lysosomes, and endosomes were observed with temporal resolutions of 30-100 frames/s. Because our method requires only small optical modifications, it will enable an easy upgrade from an existing spinning disk confocal to a SR microscope for live-cell imaging. © 2015 Hayashi and Okada. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). Two months after publication it is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

High-resolution handheld rigid endomicroscope based on full-field optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benoit a la Guillaume, Emilie; Martins, Franck; Boccara, Claude; Harms, Fabrice

2016-02-01

Full-field optical coherence tomography (FF-OCT) is a powerful tool for nondestructive assessment of biological tissue, i.e., for the structural examination of tissue in depth at a cellular resolution. Mostly known as a microscopy device for ex vivo analysis, FF-OCT has also been adapted to endoscopy setups since it shows good potential for in situ cancer diagnosis and biopsy guidance. Nevertheless, all the attempts to perform endoscopic FF-OCT imaging did not go beyond lab setups. We describe here, to the best of our knowledge, the first handheld FF-OCT endoscope based on a tandem interferometry assembly using incoherent illumination. A common-path passive imaging interferometer at the tip of an optical probe makes it robust and insensitive to environmental perturbations, and a low finesse Fabry-Perot processing interferometer guarantees a compact system. A good resolution (2.7 μm transverse and 6 μm axial) is maintained through the long distance, small diameter relay optics of the probe, and a good signal-to-noise ratio is achieved in a limited 100 ms acquisition time. High-resolution images and a movie of a rat brain slice have been recorded by moving the contact endoscope over the surface of the sample, allowing for tissue microscopic exploration at 20 μm under the surface. These promising ex vivo results open new perspectives for in vivo imaging of biological tissue, in particular, in the field of cancer and surgical margin assessment.

Time-to-digital converter card for multichannel time-resolved single-photon counting applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamborini, Davide; Portaluppi, Davide; Tisa, Simone; Tosi, Alberto

2015-03-01

We present a high performance Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC) card that provides 10 ps timing resolution and 20 ps (rms) timing precision with a programmable full-scale-range from 160 ns to 10 μs. Differential Non-Linearity (DNL) is better than 1.3% LSB (rms) and Integral Non-Linearity (INL) is 5 ps rms. Thanks to the low power consumption (400 mW) and the compact size (78 mm x 28 mm x 10 mm), this card is the building block for developing compact multichannel time-resolved instrumentation for Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting (TCSPC). The TDC-card outputs the time measurement results together with the rates of START and STOP signals and the number of valid TDC conversions. These additional information are needed by many TCSPC-based applications, such as: Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM), Time-of-Flight (TOF) ranging measurements, time-resolved Positron Emission Tomography (PET), single-molecule spectroscopy, Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy (FCS), Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT), Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (OTDR), quantum optics, etc.

Time-of-Flight Microwave Camera

PubMed Central

Charvat, Gregory; Temme, Andrew; Feigin, Micha; Raskar, Ramesh

2015-01-01

Microwaves can penetrate many obstructions that are opaque at visible wavelengths, however microwave imaging is challenging due to resolution limits associated with relatively small apertures and unrecoverable “stealth” regions due to the specularity of most objects at microwave frequencies. We demonstrate a multispectral time-of-flight microwave imaging system which overcomes these challenges with a large passive aperture to improve lateral resolution, multiple illumination points with a data fusion method to reduce stealth regions, and a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) receiver to achieve depth resolution. The camera captures images with a resolution of 1.5 degrees, multispectral images across the X frequency band (8 GHz–12 GHz), and a time resolution of 200 ps (6 cm optical path in free space). Images are taken of objects in free space as well as behind drywall and plywood. This architecture allows “camera-like” behavior from a microwave imaging system and is practical for imaging everyday objects in the microwave spectrum. PMID:26434598

SNSMIL, a real-time single molecule identification and localization algorithm for super-resolution fluorescence microscopy

PubMed Central

Tang, Yunqing; Dai, Luru; Zhang, Xiaoming; Li, Junbai; Hendriks, Johnny; Fan, Xiaoming; Gruteser, Nadine; Meisenberg, Annika; Baumann, Arnd; Katranidis, Alexandros; Gensch, Thomas

2015-01-01

Single molecule localization based super-resolution fluorescence microscopy offers significantly higher spatial resolution than predicted by Abbe’s resolution limit for far field optical microscopy. Such super-resolution images are reconstructed from wide-field or total internal reflection single molecule fluorescence recordings. Discrimination between emission of single fluorescent molecules and background noise fluctuations remains a great challenge in current data analysis. Here we present a real-time, and robust single molecule identification and localization algorithm, SNSMIL (Shot Noise based Single Molecule Identification and Localization). This algorithm is based on the intrinsic nature of noise, i.e., its Poisson or shot noise characteristics and a new identification criterion, QSNSMIL, is defined. SNSMIL improves the identification accuracy of single fluorescent molecules in experimental or simulated datasets with high and inhomogeneous background. The implementation of SNSMIL relies on a graphics processing unit (GPU), making real-time analysis feasible as shown for real experimental and simulated datasets. PMID:26098742

Time-of-Flight Microwave Camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charvat, Gregory; Temme, Andrew; Feigin, Micha; Raskar, Ramesh

2015-10-01

Microwaves can penetrate many obstructions that are opaque at visible wavelengths, however microwave imaging is challenging due to resolution limits associated with relatively small apertures and unrecoverable “stealth” regions due to the specularity of most objects at microwave frequencies. We demonstrate a multispectral time-of-flight microwave imaging system which overcomes these challenges with a large passive aperture to improve lateral resolution, multiple illumination points with a data fusion method to reduce stealth regions, and a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) receiver to achieve depth resolution. The camera captures images with a resolution of 1.5 degrees, multispectral images across the X frequency band (8 GHz-12 GHz), and a time resolution of 200 ps (6 cm optical path in free space). Images are taken of objects in free space as well as behind drywall and plywood. This architecture allows “camera-like” behavior from a microwave imaging system and is practical for imaging everyday objects in the microwave spectrum.

Single-shot observation of optical rogue waves in integrable turbulence using time microscopy

PubMed Central

Suret, Pierre; Koussaifi, Rebecca El; Tikan, Alexey; Evain, Clément; Randoux, Stéphane; Szwaj, Christophe; Bielawski, Serge

2016-01-01

Optical fibres are favourable tabletop laboratories to investigate both coherent and incoherent nonlinear waves. In particular, exact solutions of the one-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation such as fundamental solitons or solitons on finite background can be generated by launching periodic, specifically designed coherent waves in optical fibres. It is an open fundamental question to know whether these coherent structures can emerge from the nonlinear propagation of random waves. However the typical sub-picosecond timescale prevented—up to now—time-resolved observations of the awaited dynamics. Here, we report temporal ‘snapshots' of random light using a specially designed ‘time-microscope'. Ultrafast structures having peak powers much larger than the average optical power are generated from the propagation of partially coherent waves in optical fibre and are recorded with 250 femtoseconds resolution. Our experiment demonstrates the central role played by ‘breather-like' structures such as the Peregrine soliton in the emergence of heavy-tailed statistics in integrable turbulence. PMID:27713416

A clock network for geodesy and fundamental science

PubMed Central

Lisdat, C.; Grosche, G.; Quintin, N.; Shi, C.; Raupach, S.M.F.; Grebing, C.; Nicolodi, D.; Stefani, F.; Al-Masoudi, A.; Dörscher, S.; Häfner, S.; Robyr, J.-L.; Chiodo, N.; Bilicki, S.; Bookjans, E.; Koczwara, A.; Koke, S.; Kuhl, A.; Wiotte, F.; Meynadier, F.; Camisard, E.; Abgrall, M.; Lours, M.; Legero, T.; Schnatz, H.; Sterr, U.; Denker, H.; Chardonnet, C.; Le Coq, Y.; Santarelli, G.; Amy-Klein, A.; Le Targat, R.; Lodewyck, J.; Lopez, O; Pottie, P.-E.

2016-01-01

Leveraging the unrivalled performance of optical clocks as key tools for geo-science, for astronomy and for fundamental physics beyond the standard model requires comparing the frequency of distant optical clocks faithfully. Here, we report on the comparison and agreement of two strontium optical clocks at an uncertainty of 5 × 10−17 via a newly established phase-coherent frequency link connecting Paris and Braunschweig using 1,415 km of telecom fibre. The remote comparison is limited only by the instability and uncertainty of the strontium lattice clocks themselves, with negligible contributions from the optical frequency transfer. A fractional precision of 3 × 10−17 is reached after only 1,000 s averaging time, which is already 10 times better and more than four orders of magnitude faster than any previous long-distance clock comparison. The capability of performing high resolution international clock comparisons paves the way for a redefinition of the unit of time and an all-optical dissemination of the SI-second. PMID:27503795

A clock network for geodesy and fundamental science.

PubMed

Lisdat, C; Grosche, G; Quintin, N; Shi, C; Raupach, S M F; Grebing, C; Nicolodi, D; Stefani, F; Al-Masoudi, A; Dörscher, S; Häfner, S; Robyr, J-L; Chiodo, N; Bilicki, S; Bookjans, E; Koczwara, A; Koke, S; Kuhl, A; Wiotte, F; Meynadier, F; Camisard, E; Abgrall, M; Lours, M; Legero, T; Schnatz, H; Sterr, U; Denker, H; Chardonnet, C; Le Coq, Y; Santarelli, G; Amy-Klein, A; Le Targat, R; Lodewyck, J; Lopez, O; Pottie, P-E

2016-08-09

Leveraging the unrivalled performance of optical clocks as key tools for geo-science, for astronomy and for fundamental physics beyond the standard model requires comparing the frequency of distant optical clocks faithfully. Here, we report on the comparison and agreement of two strontium optical clocks at an uncertainty of 5 × 10(-17) via a newly established phase-coherent frequency link connecting Paris and Braunschweig using 1,415 km of telecom fibre. The remote comparison is limited only by the instability and uncertainty of the strontium lattice clocks themselves, with negligible contributions from the optical frequency transfer. A fractional precision of 3 × 10(-17) is reached after only 1,000 s averaging time, which is already 10 times better and more than four orders of magnitude faster than any previous long-distance clock comparison. The capability of performing high resolution international clock comparisons paves the way for a redefinition of the unit of time and an all-optical dissemination of the SI-second.

Single-shot and single-sensor high/super-resolution microwave imaging based on metasurface.

PubMed

Wang, Libo; Li, Lianlin; Li, Yunbo; Zhang, Hao Chi; Cui, Tie Jun

2016-06-01

Real-time high-resolution (including super-resolution) imaging with low-cost hardware is a long sought-after goal in various imaging applications. Here, we propose broadband single-shot and single-sensor high-/super-resolution imaging by using a spatio-temporal dispersive metasurface and an imaging reconstruction algorithm. The metasurface with spatio-temporal dispersive property ensures the feasibility of the single-shot and single-sensor imager for super- and high-resolution imaging, since it can convert efficiently the detailed spatial information of the probed object into one-dimensional time- or frequency-dependent signal acquired by a single sensor fixed in the far-field region. The imaging quality can be improved by applying a feature-enhanced reconstruction algorithm in post-processing, and the desired imaging resolution is related to the distance between the object and metasurface. When the object is placed in the vicinity of the metasurface, the super-resolution imaging can be realized. The proposed imaging methodology provides a unique means to perform real-time data acquisition, high-/super-resolution images without employing expensive hardware (e.g. mechanical scanner, antenna array, etc.). We expect that this methodology could make potential breakthroughs in the areas of microwave, terahertz, optical, and even ultrasound imaging.

Computational-optical microscopy for 3D biological imaging beyond the diffraction limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grover, Ginni

In recent years, super-resolution imaging has become an important fluorescent microscopy tool. It has enabled imaging of structures smaller than the optical diffraction limit with resolution less than 50 nm. Extension to high-resolution volume imaging has been achieved by integration with various optical techniques. In this thesis, development of a fluorescent microscope to enable high resolution, extended depth, three dimensional (3D) imaging is discussed; which is achieved by integration of computational methods with optical systems. In the first part of the thesis, point spread function (PSF) engineering for volume imaging is discussed. A class of PSFs, referred to as double-helix (DH) PSFs, is generated. The PSFs exhibit two focused spots in the image plane which rotate about the optical axis, encoding depth in rotation of the image. These PSFs extend the depth-of-field up to a factor of ˜5. Precision performance of the DH-PSFs, based on an information theoretical analysis, is compared with other 3D methods with conclusion that the DH-PSFs provide the best precision and the longest depth-of-field. Out of various possible DH-PSFs, a suitable PSF is obtained for super-resolution microscopy. The DH-PSFs are implemented in imaging systems, such as a microscope, with a special phase modulation at the pupil plane. Surface-relief elements which are polarization-insensitive and ˜90% light efficient are developed for phase modulation. The photon-efficient DH-PSF microscopes thus developed are used, along with optimal position estimation algorithms, for tracking and super-resolution imaging in 3D. Imaging at depths-of-field of up to 2.5 microm is achieved without focus scanning. Microtubules were imaged with 3D resolution of (6, 9, 39) nm, which is in close agreement with the theoretical limit. A quantitative study of co-localization of two proteins in volume was conducted in live bacteria. In the last part of the thesis practical aspects of the DH-PSF microscope are discussed. A method to stabilize it, for extended periods of time, with 3-4 nm precision in 3D is developed. 3D Super-resolution is demonstrated without drift. A PSF correction algorithm is demonstrated to improve characteristics of the DH-PSF in an experiment, where it is implemented with a polarization-insensitive liquid crystal spatial light modulator.

Optical frequency switching scheme for a high-speed broadband THz measurement system based on the photomixing technique.

PubMed

Song, Hajun; Hwang, Sejin; Song, Jong-In

2017-05-15

This study presents an optical frequency switching scheme for a high-speed broadband terahertz (THz) measurement system based on the photomixing technique. The proposed system can achieve high-speed broadband THz measurements using narrow optical frequency scanning of a tunable laser source combined with a wavelength-switchable laser source. In addition, this scheme can provide a larger output power of an individual THz signal compared with that of a multi-mode THz signal generated by multiple CW laser sources. A swept-source THz tomography system implemented with a two-channel wavelength-switchable laser source achieves a reduced time for acquisition of a point spread function and a higher depth resolution in the same amount of measurement time compared with a system with a single optical source.

Vision on the high seas: spatial resolution and optical sensitivity in two procellariiform seabirds with different foraging strategies.

PubMed

Mitkus, Mindaugas; Nevitt, Gabrielle A; Danielsen, Johannis; Kelber, Almut

2016-11-01

Procellariiform or 'tubenosed' seabirds are challenged to find prey and orient over seemingly featureless oceans. Previous studies have found that life-history strategy (burrow versus surface nesting) was correlated to foraging strategy. Burrow nesters tended to track prey using dimethyl sulphide (DMS), a compound associated with phytoplankton, whereas surface-nesting species did not. Burrow nesters also tended to be smaller and more cryptic, whereas surface nesters were larger with contrasting plumage coloration. Together these results suggested that differences in life-history strategy might also be linked to differences in visual adaptations. Here, we used Leach's storm petrel, a DMS-responder, and northern fulmar, a non-responder, as model species to test this hypothesis on their sensory ecology. From the retinal ganglion cell density and photoreceptor dimensions, we determined that Leach's storm petrels have six times lower spatial resolution than the northern fulmars. However, the optical sensitivity of rod photoreceptors is similar between species. These results suggest that under similar atmospheric conditions, northern fulmars have six times the detection range for similarly sized objects. Both species have extended visual streaks with a central area of highest spatial resolution, but only the northern fulmar has a central fovea. The prediction that burrow-nesting DMS-responding procellariiforms should differ from non-responding species nesting in the open holds true for spatial resolution, but not for optical sensitivity. This result may reflect the fact that both species rely on olfaction for their nocturnal foraging activity, but northern fulmars might use vision more during daytime. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Characterizing SOI Wafers By Use Of AOTF-PHI

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheng, Li-Jen; Li, Guann-Pyng; Zang, Deyu

1995-01-01

Developmental nondestructive method of characterizing layers of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer involves combination of polarimetric hyperspectral imaging by use of acousto-optical tunable filters (AOTF-PHI) and computational resources for extracting pertinent data on SOI wafers from polarimetric hyperspectral images. Offers high spectral resolution and both ease and rapidity of optical-wavelength tuning. Further efforts to implement all of processing of polarimetric spectral image data in special-purpose hardware for sake of procesing speed. Enables characterization of SOI wafers in real time for online monitoring and adjustment of production. Also accelerates application of AOTF-PHI to other applications in which need for high-resolution spectral imaging, both with and without polarimetry.

High resolution kilometric range optical telemetry in air by radio frequency phase measurement

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guillory, Joffray; García-Márquez, Jorge; Truong, Daniel

2016-07-15

We have developed an optical Absolute Distance Meter (ADM) based on the measurement of the phase accumulated by a Radio Frequency wave during its propagation in the air by a laser beam. In this article, the ADM principle will be described and the main results will be presented. In particular, we will emphasize how the choice of an appropriate photodetector can significantly improve the telemeter performances by minimizing the amplitude to phase conversion. Our prototype, tested in the field, has proven its efficiency with a resolution better than 15 μm for a measurement time of 10 ms and distances upmore » to 1.2 km.« less

Development of a Computer-Controlled Polishing Process for X-Ray Optics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khan, Gufran S.; Gubarev, Mikhail; Arnold, William; Ramsey, Brian

2009-01-01

The future X-ray observatory missions require grazing-incidence x-ray optics with angular resolution of < 5 arcsec half-power diameter. The achievable resolution depends ultimately on the quality of polished mandrels from which the shells are replicated. With an aim to fabricate better shells, and reduce the cost/time of mandrel production, a computer-controlled polishing machine is developed for deterministic and localized polishing of mandrels. Cylindrical polishing software is also developed that predicts the surface residual errors under a given set of operating parameters and lap configuration. Design considerations of the polishing lap are discussed and the effects of nonconformance of the lap and the mandrel are presented.

Coherent Femtosecond Spectroscopy and Nonlinear Optical Imaging on the Nanoscale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kravtsov, Vasily

Optical properties of many materials and macroscopic systems are defined by ultrafast dynamics of electronic, vibrational, and spin excitations localized on the nanoscale. Harnessing these excitations for material engineering, optical computing, and control of chemical reactions has been a long-standing goal in science and technology. However, it is challenging due to the lack of spectroscopic techniques that can resolve processes simultaneously on the nanometer spatial and femtosecond temporal scales. This thesis describes the fundamental principles, implementation, and experimental demonstration of a novel type of ultrafast microscopy based on the concept of adiabatic plasmonic nanofocusing. Simultaneous spatio-temporal resolution on a nanometer-femtosecond scale is achieved by using a near-field nonlinear optical response induced by ultrafast surface plasmon polaritons nanofocused on a metal tip. First, we study the surface plasmon response in metallic structures and evaluate its prospects and limitations for ultrafast near-field microscopy. Through plasmon emission-based spectroscopy, we investigate dephasing times and interplay between radiative and non-radiative decay rates of localized plasmons and their modification due to coupling. We identify a new regime of quantum plasmonic coupling, which limits the achievable spatial resolution to several angstroms but at the same time provides a potential channel for generating ultrafast electron currents at optical frequencies. Next, we study propagation of femtosecond wavepackets of surface plasmon polaritons on a metal tip. In time-domain interferometric measurements we detect group delays that correspond to slowing of the plasmon polaritons down to 20% of the speed of light at the tip apex. This provides direct experimental verification of the plasmonic nanofocusing mechanism and suggests enhanced nonlinear optical interactions at the tip apex. We then measure a plasmon-generated third-order nonlinear optical four-wave mixing response from the tip apex and investigate its microscopic mechanism. Our results reveal a significant contribution to the third order nonlinearity of plasmonic structures due to large near-field gradients associated with nanofocused plasmons. In combination with scanning probe imaging and femtosecond pulse shaping, the nanofocused four-wave mixing response provides a basis for a novel type of ultrafast optical microscopy on the nanoscale. We demonstrate its capabilities by nano-imaging the coherent dynamics of localized plasmonic modes in a rough gold film edge with simultaneous sub-50 nm spatial and sub-5 fs temporal resolution. We capture the coherent decay and extract the dephasing times of individual plasmonic modes. Lastly, we apply our technique to study nanoscale spatial heterogeneity of the nonlinear optical response in novel two-dimensional materials: monolayer and few-layer graphene. An enhanced four-wave mixing signal is revealed on the edges of graphene flakes. We investigate the mechanism of this enhancement by performing nano-imaging on a graphene field-effect transistor with the variable carrier density controlled by electrostatic gating.

High-Resolution Adaptive Optics Test-Bed for Vision Science

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wilks, S C; Thomspon, C A; Olivier, S S

2001-09-27

We discuss the design and implementation of a low-cost, high-resolution adaptive optics test-bed for vision research. It is well known that high-order aberrations in the human eye reduce optical resolution and limit visual acuity. However, the effects of aberration-free eyesight on vision are only now beginning to be studied using adaptive optics to sense and correct the aberrations in the eye. We are developing a high-resolution adaptive optics system for this purpose using a Hamamatsu Parallel Aligned Nematic Liquid Crystal Spatial Light Modulator. Phase-wrapping is used to extend the effective stroke of the device, and the wavefront sensing and wavefrontmore » correction are done at different wavelengths. Issues associated with these techniques will be discussed.« less

Multilayer thin-film phantoms for axial contrast transfer function measurement in optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Agrawal, Anant; Chen, Chao-Wei; Baxi, Jigesh; Chen, Yu; Pfefer, T Joshua

2013-07-01

In optical coherence tomography (OCT), axial resolution is one of the most critical parameters impacting image quality. It is commonly measured by determining the point spread function (PSF) based on a specular surface reflection. The contrast transfer function (CTF) provides more insights into an imaging system's resolving characteristics and can be readily generated in a system-independent manner, without consideration for image pixel size. In this study, we developed a test method for determination of CTF based on multi-layer, thin-film phantoms, evaluated using spectral- and time-domain OCT platforms with different axial resolution values. Phantoms representing six spatial frequencies were fabricated and imaged. The fabrication process involved spin coating silicone films with precise thicknesses in the 8-40 μm range. Alternating layers were doped with a specified concentration of scattering particles. Validation of layer optical properties and thicknesses were achieved with spectrophotometry and stylus profilometry, respectively. OCT B-scans were used to calculate CTFs and results were compared with convetional PSF measurements based on specular reflections. Testing of these phantoms indicated that our approach can provide direct access to axial resolution characteristics highly relevant to image quality. Furthermore, tissue phantoms based on our thin-film fabrication approach may have a wide range of additional applications in optical imaging and spectroscopy.

Optical super-resolution effect induced by nonlinear characteristics of graphene oxide films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yong-chuang; Nie, Zhong-quan; Zhai, Ai-ping; Tian, Yan-ting; Liu, Chao; Shi, Chang-kun; Jia, Bao-hua

2018-01-01

In this work, we focus on the optical super-resolution effect induced by strong nonlinear saturation absorption (NSA) of graphene oxide (GO) membranes. The third-order optical nonlinearities are characterized by the canonical Z-scan technique under femtosecond laser (wavelength: 800 nm, pulse width: 100 fs) excitation. Through controlling the applied femtosecond laser energy, NSA of the GO films can be tuned continuously. The GO film is placed at the focal plane as a unique amplitude filter to improve the resolution of the focused field. A multi-layer system model is proposed to present the generation of a deep sub-wavelength spot associated with the nonlinearity of GO films. Moreover, the parameter conditions to achieve the best resolution (˜λ/6) are determined entirely. The demonstrated results here are useful for high density optical recoding and storage, nanolithography, and super-resolution optical imaging.

Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM).

PubMed

Xu, Jianquan; Ma, Hongqiang; Liu, Yang

2017-07-05

Super-resolution (SR) fluorescence microscopy, a class of optical microscopy techniques at a spatial resolution below the diffraction limit, has revolutionized the way we study biology, as recognized by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2014. Stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), a widely used SR technique, is based on the principle of single molecule localization. STORM routinely achieves a spatial resolution of 20 to 30 nm, a ten-fold improvement compared to conventional optical microscopy. Among all SR techniques, STORM offers a high spatial resolution with simple optical instrumentation and standard organic fluorescent dyes, but it is also prone to image artifacts and degraded image resolution due to improper sample preparation or imaging conditions. It requires careful optimization of all three aspects-sample preparation, image acquisition, and image reconstruction-to ensure a high-quality STORM image, which will be extensively discussed in this unit. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Limits on Optical Polarization during the Prompt Phase of GRB 140430A

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopač, D.; Mundell, C. G.; Japelj, J.; Arnold, D. M.; Steele, I. A.; Guidorzi, C.; Dichiara, S.; Kobayashi, S.; Gomboc, A.; Harrison, R. M.; Lamb, G. P.; Melandri, A.; Smith, R. J.; Virgili, F. J.; Castro-Tirado, A. J.; Gorosabel, J.; Järvinen, A.; Sánchez-Ramírez, R.; Oates, S. R.; Jelínek, M.

2015-11-01

Gamma-ray burst GRB 140430A was detected by the Swift satellite and observed promptly with the imaging polarimeter RINGO3 mounted on the Liverpool Telescope, with observations beginning while the prompt γ-ray emission was still ongoing. In this paper, we present densely sampled (10-s temporal resolution) early optical light curves (LCs) in 3 optical bands and limits to the degree of optical polarization. We compare optical, X-ray, and gamma-ray properties and present an analysis of the optical emission during a period of high-energy flaring. The complex optical LC cannot be explained merely with a combination of forward and reverse shock emission from a standard external shock, implying additional contribution of emission from internal shock dissipation. We estimate an upper limit for time averaged optical polarization during the prompt phase to be as low as P < 12% (1σ). This suggests that the optical flares and early afterglow emission in this GRB are not highly polarized. Alternatively, time averaging could mask the presence of otherwise polarized components of distinct origin at different polarization position angles.

EXCESS OPTICAL ENHANCEMENT OBSERVED WITH ARCONS FOR EARLY CRAB GIANT PULSES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Strader, M. J.; Mazin, B. A.; Spiro Jaeger, G. V.

2013-12-10

We observe an extraordinary link in the Crab pulsar between the enhancement of an optical pulse and the timing of the corresponding giant radio pulse. At optical through infrared wavelengths, our observations use the high time resolution of ARray Camera for Optical to Near-IR Spectrophotometry, a unique superconducting energy-resolving photon-counting array at the Palomar 200 inch telescope. At radio wavelengths, we observe with the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope and the Green Bank Ultimate Pulsar Processing Instrument backend. We see an 11.3% ± 2.5% increase in peak optical flux for pulses that have an accompanying giant radio pulse arrivingmore » near the peak of the optical main pulse, in contrast to a 3.2% ± 0.5% increase when an accompanying giant radio pulse arrives soon after the optical peak. We also observe that the peak of the optical main pulse is 2.8% ± 0.8% enhanced when there is a giant radio pulse accompanying the optical interpulse. We observe no statistically significant spectral differences between optical pulses accompanied by and not accompanied by giant radio pulses. Our results extend previous observations of optical-radio correlation to the time and spectral domains. Our refined temporal correlation suggests that optical and radio emission are indeed causally linked, and the lack of spectral differences suggests that the same mechanism is responsible for all optical emission.« less

Excess optical enhancement observed with arcons for early crab giant pulses

DOE PAGES

Strader, M. J.; Johnson, M. D.; Mazin, B. A.; ...

2013-11-26

Here, we observe an extraordinary link in the Crab pulsar between the enhancement of an optical pulse and the timing of the corresponding giant radio pulse. At optical through infrared wavelengths, our observations use the high time resolution of ARray Camera for Optical to Near-IR Spectrophotometry, a unique superconducting energy-resolving photon-counting array at the Palomar 200 inch telescope. At radio wavelengths, we observe with the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope and the Green Bank Ultimate Pulsar Processing Instrument backend. We see an 11.3% ± 2.5% increase in peak optical flux for pulses that have an accompanying giant radio pulsemore » arriving near the peak of the optical main pulse, in contrast to a 3.2% ± 0.5% increase when an accompanying giant radio pulse arrives soon after the optical peak. We also observe that the peak of the optical main pulse is 2.8% ± 0.8% enhanced when there is a giant radio pulse accompanying the optical interpulse. We also observe no statistically significant spectral differences between optical pulses accompanied by and not accompanied by giant radio pulses. These results extend previous observations of optical-radio correlation to the time and spectral domains. Our refined temporal correlation suggests that optical and radio emission are indeed causally linked, and the lack of spectral differences suggests that the same mechanism is responsible for all optical emission.« less

Analysis and modeling of atmospheric turbulence on the high-resolution space optical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lili, Jiang; Chen, Xiaomei; Ni, Guoqiang

2016-09-01

Modeling and simulation of optical remote sensing system plays an unslightable role in remote sensing mission predictions, imaging system design, image quality assessment. It has already become a hot research topic at home and abroad. Atmospheric turbulence influence on optical systems is attached more and more importance to as technologies of remote sensing are developed. In order to study the influence of atmospheric turbulence on earth observation system, the atmospheric structure parameter was calculated by using the weak atmospheric turbulence model; and the relationship of the atmospheric coherence length and high resolution remote sensing optical system was established; then the influence of atmospheric turbulence on the coefficient r0h of optical remote sensing system of ground resolution was derived; finally different orbit height of high resolution optical system imaging quality affected by atmospheric turbulence was analyzed. Results show that the influence of atmospheric turbulence on the high resolution remote sensing optical system, the resolution of which has reached sub meter level meter or even the 0.5m, 0.35m and even 0.15m ultra in recent years, image quality will be quite serious. In the above situation, the influence of the atmospheric turbulence must be corrected. Simulation algorithms of PSF are presented based on the above results. Experiment and analytical results are posted.

Monte Carlo study on pulse response of underwater optical channel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jing; Ma, Yong; Zhou, Qunqun; Zhou, Bo; Wang, Hongyuan

2012-06-01

Pulse response of the underwater wireless optical channel is significant for the analysis of channel capacity and error probability. Traditional vector radiative transfer theory (VRT) is not able to deal with the effect of receiving aperture. On the other hand, general water tank experiments cannot acquire an accurate pulse response due to the limited time resolution of the photo-electronic detector. We present a Monte Carlo simulation model to extract the time-domain pulse response undersea. In comparison with the VRT model, a more accurate pulse response for practical ocean communications could be achieved through statistical analysis of the received photons. The proposed model is more reasonable for the study of the underwater optical channel.

Rat brain imaging using full field optical coherence microscopy with short multimode fiber probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sato, Manabu; Saito, Daisuke; Kurotani, Reiko; Abe, Hiroyuki; Kawauchi, Satoko; Sato, Shunichi; Nishidate, Izumi

2017-02-01

We demonstrated FF OCM(full field optical coherence microscopy) using an ultrathin forward-imaging SMMF (short multimode fiber) probe of 50 μm core diameter, 125 μm diameter, and 7.4 mm length, which is a typical graded-index multimode fiber for optical communications. The axial resolution was measured to be 2.20 μm, which is close to the calculated axial resolution of 2.06 μm. The lateral resolution was evaluated to be 4.38 μm using a test pattern. Assuming that the FWHM of the contrast is the DOF (depth of focus), the DOF of the signal is obtained at 36 μm and that of the OCM is 66 μm. The contrast of the OCT images was 6.1 times higher than that of the signal images due to the coherence gate. After an euthanasia the rat brain was resected and cut at 2.6mm tail from Bregma. Contacting SMMF to the primary somatosensory cortex and the agranular insular cortex of ex vivo brain, OCM images of the brain were measured 100 times with 2μm step. 3D OCM images of the brain were measured, and internal structure information was obtained. The feasibility of an SMMF as an ultrathin forward-imaging probe in full-field OCM has been demonstrated.

Fiber optic cable-based high-resolution, long-distance VGA extenders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rhee, Jin-Geun; Lee, Iksoo; Kim, Heejoon; Kim, Sungjoon; Koh, Yeon-Wan; Kim, Hoik; Lim, Jiseok; Kim, Chur; Kim, Jungwon

2013-02-01

Remote transfer of high-resolution video information finds more applications in detached display applications for large facilities such as theaters, sports complex, airports, and security facilities. Active optical cables (AOCs) provide a promising approach for enhancing both the transmittable resolution and distance that standard copper-based cables cannot reach. In addition to the standard digital formats such as HDMI, the high-resolution, long-distance transfer of VGA format signals is important for applications where high-resolution analog video ports should be also supported, such as military/defense applications and high-resolution video camera links. In this presentation we present the development of a compressionless, high-resolution (up to WUXGA, 1920x1200), long-distance (up to 2 km) VGA extenders based on serialized technique. We employed asynchronous serial transmission and clock regeneration techniques, which enables lower cost implementation of VGA extenders by removing the necessity for clock transmission and large memory at the receiver. Two 3.125-Gbps transceivers are used in parallel to meet the required maximum video data rate of 6.25 Gbps. As the data are transmitted asynchronously, 24-bit pixel clock time stamp is employed to regenerate video pixel clock accurately at the receiver side. In parallel to the video information, stereo audio and RS-232 control signals are transmitted as well.

High-resolution frequency domain second harmonic optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Jianping; Tomov, I. V.; Jiang, Yi; Chen, Zhongping

2007-02-01

We used continuum generated in an 8.5 cm long fiber by a femtosecond Yb fiber laser to improve threefold the axial resolution of frequency domain SH-OCT to 12μm. The acquisition time was shortened by more than two orders of magnitude compared to time domain SH-OCT. The system was applied to image biological tissue of fish scales, pig leg tendon and rabbit eye sclera. Highly organized collagen fibrils can be visualized in the recorded images. Polarization dependence on second harmonic has been used to obtain polarization resolved images.

Noninvasive optical coherence tomography monitoring of structure and hydration changes of human corneas in different preservation media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yicong; Clarke, Dominic; Mathew, Aby; Nicoud, Ian; Li, Xingde

2011-02-01

The influence of different tissue preservation (a test solution under development and a standard storage solution) on human cornea morphology, refractive index and hydration was assessed noninvasively by ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) over time. For 28 days' or 15 days' storage in the preservation media, corneas in the two media exhibited different structural changes with different onset times including epithelial desquamation, edema-induced cornea thickening and change in tissue refractive index. It was found that the variation of the group refractive index over time was only about 2%, while 25% variation of hydration was observed in the storage and subsequent return to normothermic conditions in both preservation media. The results suggest the two media involved different but correlated preservation mechanisms. This study demonstrates that the noncontact, noninvasive, and high-resolution OCT is a powerful tool for noninvasive characterization of tissue morphological changes and hydration process and for assessment of the effects of preservation media on stored tissue integrity. Engineers.

Improving diffuse optical tomography with structural a priori from fluorescence diffuse optical tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Wenjuan; Gao, Feng; Duan, Linjing; Zhu, Qingzhen; Wang, Xin; Zhang, Wei; Wu, Linhui; Yi, Xi; Zhao, Huijuan

2012-03-01

We obtain absorption and scattering reconstructed images by incorporating a priori information of target location obtained from fluorescence diffuse optical tomography (FDOT) into the diffuse optical tomography (DOT). The main disadvantage of DOT lies in the low spatial resolution resulting from highly scattering nature of tissue in the near-infrared (NIR), but one can use it to monitor hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation simultaneously, as well as several other cheomphores such as water, lipids, and cytochrome-c-oxidase. Up to date, extensive effort has been made to integrate DOT with other imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, to obtain accurate optical property maps of the tissue. However, the experimental apparatus is intricate. In this study, DOT image reconstruction algorithm that incorporates a prior structural information provided by FDOT is investigated in an attempt to optimize recovery of a simulated optical property distribution. By use of a specifically designed multi-channel time-correlated single photon counting system, the proposed scheme in a transmission mode is experimentally validated to achieve simultaneous reconstruction of the fluorescent yield, lifetime, absorption and scattering coefficient. The experimental results demonstrate that the quantitative recovery of the tumor optical properties has doubled and the spatial resolution improves as well by applying the new improved method.

Three-Dimensional Unstained Live-Cell Imaging Using Stimulated Parametric Emission Microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dang, Hieu M.; Kawasumi, Takehito; Omura, Gen; Umano, Toshiyuki; Kajiyama, Shin'ichiro; Ozeki, Yasuyuki; Itoh, Kazuyoshi; Fukui, Kiichi

2009-09-01

The ability to perform high-resolution unstained live imaging is very important to in vivo study of cell structures and functions. Stimulated parametric emission (SPE) microscopy is a nonlinear-optical microscopy based on ultra-fast electronic nonlinear-optical responses. For the first time, we have successfully applied this technique to archive three-dimensional (3D) images of unstained sub-cellular structures, such as, microtubules, nuclei, nucleoli, etc. in live cells. Observation of a complete cell division confirms the ability of SPE microscopy for long time-scale imaging.

Ultrafast chirped optical waveform recorder using a time microscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bennett, Corey Vincent

2015-04-21

A new technique for capturing both the amplitude and phase of an optical waveform is presented. This technique can capture signals with many THz of bandwidths in a single shot (e.g., temporal resolution of about 44 fs), or be operated repetitively at a high rate. That is, each temporal window (or frame) is captured single shot, in real time, but the process may be run repeatedly or single-shot. By also including a variety of possible demultiplexing techniques, this process is scalable to recoding continuous signals.

APPLICATIONS OF LASERS AND OTHER TOPICS IN QUANTUM ELECTRONICS: Determination of reflection coefficients of mirrors using a mode-locked laser and a dissector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apolonskiĭ, A. A.; Vinokurov, Nikolai A.; Zinin, É. I.; Ishchenko, P. I.; Kuklin, A. E.; Popik, V. M.; Sokolov, A. S.; Shchebetov, S. D.

1992-09-01

A method is described for determining the reflection coefficients of high-density mirrors, based on the use of a mode-locked laser and a sensitive detector with a fast time resolution. The laser light is transmitted through an optical resonator formed by the investigated mirrors. The measured delay in the decay of a light pulse gives the damping time of the optical resonator. This is related to its Q factor determined by the reflection coefficients of its mirrors.

High-speed optical coherence tomography using fiberoptic acousto-optic phase modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Tuqiang; Wang, Zhenguo; Pan, Yingtian

2003-12-01

We report a new rapid-scanning optical delay device suitable for high-speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) in which an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) is used to independently modulate the Doppler frequency shift of the reference light beam for optical heterodyne detection. Experimental results show that the fluctuation of the measured Doppler frequency shift is less than +/-0.2% over 95% duty cycle of OCT imaging, thus allowing for enhanced signal-to-noise ratio of optical heterodyne detection. The increased Doppler frequency shift by AOM also permits complete envelop demodulation without the compromise of reducing axial resolution; if used with a resonant rapid-scanning optical delay, it will permit high-performance real-time OCT imaging. Potentially, this new rapid-scanning optical delay device will improve the performance of high-speed Doppler OCT techniques.

TimepixCam: a fast optical imager with time-stamping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fisher-Levine, M.; Nomerotski, A.

2016-03-01

We describe a novel fast optical imager, TimepixCam, based on an optimized silicon pixel sensor with a thin entrance window, read out by a Timepix ASIC. TimepixCam is able to record and time-stamp light flashes in excess of 1,000 photons with high quantum efficiency in the 400-1000nm wavelength range with 20ns timing resolution, corresponding to an effective rate of 50 Megaframes per second. The camera was used for imaging ions impinging on a microchannel plate followed by a phosphor screen. Possible applications include spatial and velocity map imaging of ions in time-of-flight mass spectroscopy; coincidence imaging of ions and electrons, and other time-resolved types of imaging spectroscopy.

Image processing for improved eye-tracking accuracy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mulligan, J. B.; Watson, A. B. (Principal Investigator)

1997-01-01

Video cameras provide a simple, noninvasive method for monitoring a subject's eye movements. An important concept is that of the resolution of the system, which is the smallest eye movement that can be reliably detected. While hardware systems are available that estimate direction of gaze in real-time from a video image of the pupil, such systems must limit image processing to attain real-time performance and are limited to a resolution of about 10 arc minutes. Two ways to improve resolution are discussed. The first is to improve the image processing algorithms that are used to derive an estimate. Off-line analysis of the data can improve resolution by at least one order of magnitude for images of the pupil. A second avenue by which to improve resolution is to increase the optical gain of the imaging setup (i.e., the amount of image motion produced by a given eye rotation). Ophthalmoscopic imaging of retinal blood vessels provides increased optical gain and improved immunity to small head movements but requires a highly sensitive camera. The large number of images involved in a typical experiment imposes great demands on the storage, handling, and processing of data. A major bottleneck had been the real-time digitization and storage of large amounts of video imagery, but recent developments in video compression hardware have made this problem tractable at a reasonable cost. Images of both the retina and the pupil can be analyzed successfully using a basic toolbox of image-processing routines (filtering, correlation, thresholding, etc.), which are, for the most part, well suited to implementation on vectorizing supercomputers.

Fast optically sectioned fluorescence HiLo endomicroscopy.

PubMed

Ford, Tim N; Lim, Daryl; Mertz, Jerome

2012-02-01

We describe a nonscanning, fiber bundle endomicroscope that performs optically sectioned fluorescence imaging with fast frame rates and real-time processing. Our sectioning technique is based on HiLo imaging, wherein two widefield images are acquired under uniform and structured illumination and numerically processed to reject out-of-focus background. This work is an improvement upon an earlier demonstration of widefield optical sectioning through a flexible fiber bundle. The improved device features lateral and axial resolutions of 2.6 and 17 μm, respectively, a net frame rate of 9.5 Hz obtained by real-time image processing with a graphics processing unit (GPU) and significantly reduced motion artifacts obtained by the use of a double-shutter camera. We demonstrate the performance of our system with optically sectioned images and videos of a fluorescently labeled chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in the developing G. gallus embryo. HiLo endomicroscopy is a candidate technique for low-cost, high-speed clinical optical biopsies.

Fast optically sectioned fluorescence HiLo endomicroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ford, Tim N.; Lim, Daryl; Mertz, Jerome

2012-02-01

We describe a nonscanning, fiber bundle endomicroscope that performs optically sectioned fluorescence imaging with fast frame rates and real-time processing. Our sectioning technique is based on HiLo imaging, wherein two widefield images are acquired under uniform and structured illumination and numerically processed to reject out-of-focus background. This work is an improvement upon an earlier demonstration of widefield optical sectioning through a flexible fiber bundle. The improved device features lateral and axial resolutions of 2.6 and 17 μm, respectively, a net frame rate of 9.5 Hz obtained by real-time image processing with a graphics processing unit (GPU) and significantly reduced motion artifacts obtained by the use of a double-shutter camera. We demonstrate the performance of our system with optically sectioned images and videos of a fluorescently labeled chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in the developing G. gallus embryo. HiLo endomicroscopy is a candidate technique for low-cost, high-speed clinical optical biopsies.

A balloon-borne payload for imaging hard X-rays and gamma rays from solar flares

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crannell, Carol J.; Dennis, Brian R.; Orwig, Larry E.; Schmahl, Edward J.; Lang, Frederic L.; Starr, Richard; Norris, Jay P.; Greene, Michael E.; Hurford, Gordon J.; Johnson, W. N.

1991-01-01

Hard X-rays and gamma rays provide direct evidence of the roles of accelerated particles in solar flares. An approach that employs a spatial Fourier-transform technique for imaging the sources of these emissions is described, and the development of a balloon-borne imaging device based on this instrumental technique is presented. The detectors, together with the imaging optics, are sensitive to hard X-ray and gamma-ray emission in the energy-range from 20 to 700 keV. This payload, scheduled for its first flight in June 1992, will provide 11-arc second angular resolution and millisecond time resolution with a whole-sun field of view. For subsequent flights, the effective detector area can be increased by as much as a factor of four, and imaging optics with angular resolution as fine as 2 arcsec can be added to the existing gondola and metering structures.

Investigation of the interpolation method to improve the distributed strain measurement accuracy in optical frequency domain reflectometry systems.

PubMed

Cui, Jiwen; Zhao, Shiyuan; Yang, Di; Ding, Zhenyang

2018-02-20

We use a spectrum interpolation technique to improve the distributed strain measurement accuracy in a Rayleigh-scatter-based optical frequency domain reflectometry sensing system. We demonstrate that strain accuracy is not limited by the "uncertainty principle" that exists in the time-frequency analysis. Different interpolation methods are investigated and used to improve the accuracy of peak position of the cross-correlation and, therefore, improve the accuracy of the strain. Interpolation implemented by padding zeros on one side of the windowed data in the spatial domain, before the inverse fast Fourier transform, is found to have the best accuracy. Using this method, the strain accuracy and resolution are both improved without decreasing the spatial resolution. The strain of 3 μϵ within the spatial resolution of 1 cm at the position of 21.4 m is distinguished, and the measurement uncertainty is 3.3 μϵ.

Super long viewing distance light homogeneous emitting three-dimensional display

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Hongen

2015-04-01

Three-dimensional (3D) display technology has continuously been attracting public attention with the progress in today's 3D television and mature display technologies. The primary characteristics of conventional glasses-free autostereoscopic displays, such as spatial resolution, image depths, and viewing angle, are often limited due to the use of optical lenses or optical gratings. We present a 3D display using MEMS-scanning-mechanism-based light homogeneous emitting (LHE) approach and demonstrate that the display can directly generate an autostereoscopic 3D image without the need for optical lenses or gratings. The generated 3D image has the advantages of non-aberration and a high-definition spatial resolution, making it the first to exhibit animated 3D images with image depth of six meters. Our LHE 3D display approach can be used to generate a natural flat-panel 3D display with super long viewing distance and alternative real-time image update.

Monitoring the propagation of mechanical waves using an optical fiber distributed and dynamic strain sensor based on BOTDA.

PubMed

Peled, Yair; Motil, Avi; Kressel, Iddo; Tur, Moshe

2013-05-06

We report a Brillouin-based fully distributed and dynamic monitoring of the strain induced by a propagating mechanical wave along a 20 m long composite strip, to which surface a single-mode optical fiber was glued. Employing a simplified version of the Slope-Assisted Brillouin Optical Time Domain Analysis (SA-BOTDA) technique, the whole length of the strip was interrogated every 10 ms (strip sampling rate of 100 Hz) with a spatial resolution of the order of 1m. A dynamic spatially and temporally continuous map of the strain was obtained, whose temporal behavior at four discrete locations was verified against co-located fiber Bragg gratings. With a trade-off among sampling rate, range and signal to noise ratio, kHz sampling rates and hundreds of meters of range can be obtained with resolution down to a few centimeters.

Coi-wiz: An interactive computer wizard for analyzing cardiac optical signals.

PubMed

Yuan, Xiaojing; Uyanik, Ilyas; Situ, Ning; Xi, Yutao; Cheng, Jie

2009-01-01

A number of revolutionary techniques have been developed for cardiac electrophysiology research to better study the various arrhythmia mechanisms that can enhance ablating strategies for cardiac arrhythmias. Once the three-dimensional high resolution cardiac optical imaging data is acquired, it is time consuming to manually go through them and try to identify the patterns associated with various arrhythmia symptoms. In this paper, we present an interactive computer wizard that helps cardiac electrophysiology researchers to visualize and analyze the high resolution cardiac optical imaging data. The wizard provides a file interface that accommodates different file formats. A series of analysis algorithms output waveforms, activation and action potential maps after spatial and temporal filtering, velocity field and heterogeneity measure. The interactive GUI allows the researcher to identify the region of interest in both the spatial and temporal domain, thus enabling them to study different heart chamber at their choice.

Holographic line field en-face OCT with digital adaptive optics in the retina in vivo.

PubMed

Ginner, Laurin; Schmoll, Tilman; Kumar, Abhishek; Salas, Matthias; Pricoupenko, Nastassia; Wurster, Lara M; Leitgeb, Rainer A

2018-02-01

We demonstrate a high-resolution line field en-face time domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) system using an off-axis holography configuration. Line field en-face OCT produces high speed en-face images at rates of up to 100 Hz. The high frame rate favors good phase stability across the lateral field-of-view which is indispensable for digital adaptive optics (DAO). Human retinal structures are acquired in-vivo with a broadband light source at 840 nm, and line rates of 10 kHz to 100 kHz. Structures of different retinal layers, such as photoreceptors, capillaries, and nerve fibers are visualized with high resolution of 2.8 µm and 5.5 µm in lateral directions. Subaperture based DAO is successfully applied to increase the visibility of cone-photoreceptors and nerve fibers. Furthermore, en-face Doppler OCT maps are generated based on calculating the differential phase shifts between recorded lines.

High-energy proton imaging for biomedical applications

DOE PAGES

Prall, Matthias; Durante, Marco; Berger, Thomas; ...

2016-06-10

The charged particle community is looking for techniques exploiting proton interactions instead of X-ray absorption for creating images of human tissue. Due to multiple Coulomb scattering inside the measured object it has shown to be highly non-trivial to achieve sufficient spatial resolution. We present imaging of biological tissue with a proton microscope. This device relies on magnetic optics, distinguishing it from most published proton imaging methods. For these methods reducing the data acquisition time to a clinically acceptable level has turned out to be challenging. In a proton microscope, data acquisition and processing are much simpler. This device even allowsmore » imaging in real time. The primary medical application will be image guidance in proton radiosurgery. Proton images demonstrating the potential for this application are presented. As a result, tomographic reconstructions are included to raise awareness of the possibility of high-resolution proton tomography using magneto-optics.« less

High-energy proton imaging for biomedical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prall, M.; Durante, M.; Berger, T.; Przybyla, B.; Graeff, C.; Lang, P. M.; Latessa, C.; Shestov, L.; Simoniello, P.; Danly, C.; Mariam, F.; Merrill, F.; Nedrow, P.; Wilde, C.; Varentsov, D.

2016-06-01

The charged particle community is looking for techniques exploiting proton interactions instead of X-ray absorption for creating images of human tissue. Due to multiple Coulomb scattering inside the measured object it has shown to be highly non-trivial to achieve sufficient spatial resolution. We present imaging of biological tissue with a proton microscope. This device relies on magnetic optics, distinguishing it from most published proton imaging methods. For these methods reducing the data acquisition time to a clinically acceptable level has turned out to be challenging. In a proton microscope, data acquisition and processing are much simpler. This device even allows imaging in real time. The primary medical application will be image guidance in proton radiosurgery. Proton images demonstrating the potential for this application are presented. Tomographic reconstructions are included to raise awareness of the possibility of high-resolution proton tomography using magneto-optics.

In vivo and ex vivo imaging with ultrahigh resolution full-field OCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grieve, Kate; Moneron, Gael; Schwartz, Wilfrid; Boccara, Albert C.; Dubois, Arnaud

2005-08-01

Imaging of in vivo and ex vivo biological samples using full-field optical coherence tomography is demonstrated. Three variations on the original full-field optical coherence tomography instrument are presented, and evaluated in terms of performance. The instruments are based on the Linnik interferometer illuminated by a white light source. Images in the en face orientation are obtained in real-time without scanning by using a two-dimensional parallel detector array. An isotropic resolution capability better than 1 μm is achieved thanks to the use of a broad spectrum source and high numerical aperture microscope objectives. Detection sensitivity up to 90 dB is demonstrated. Image acquisition times as short as 10 μs per en face image are possible. A variety of in vivo and ex vivo imaging applications is explored, particularly in the fields of embryology, ophthalmology and botany.

Characterization of time-resolved fluorescence response measurements for distributed optical-fiber sensing.

PubMed

Sinchenko, Elena; Gibbs, W E Keith; Davis, Claire E; Stoddart, Paul R

2010-11-20

A distributed optical-fiber sensing system based on pulsed excitation and time-gated photon counting has been used to locate a fluorescent region along the fiber. The complex Alq3 and the infrared dye IR-125 were examined with 405 and 780 nm excitation, respectively. A model to characterize the response of the distributed fluorescence sensor to a Gaussian input pulse was developed and tested. Analysis of the Alq3 fluorescent response confirmed the validity of the model and enabled the fluorescence lifetime to be determined. The intrinsic lifetime obtained (18.2±0.9 ns) is in good agreement with published data. The decay rate was found to be proportional to concentration, which is indicative of collisional deactivation. The model allows the spatial resolution of a distributed sensing system to be improved for fluorophores with lifetimes that are longer than the resolution of the sensing system.

High-energy proton imaging for biomedical applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prall, Matthias; Durante, Marco; Berger, Thomas

The charged particle community is looking for techniques exploiting proton interactions instead of X-ray absorption for creating images of human tissue. Due to multiple Coulomb scattering inside the measured object it has shown to be highly non-trivial to achieve sufficient spatial resolution. We present imaging of biological tissue with a proton microscope. This device relies on magnetic optics, distinguishing it from most published proton imaging methods. For these methods reducing the data acquisition time to a clinically acceptable level has turned out to be challenging. In a proton microscope, data acquisition and processing are much simpler. This device even allowsmore » imaging in real time. The primary medical application will be image guidance in proton radiosurgery. Proton images demonstrating the potential for this application are presented. As a result, tomographic reconstructions are included to raise awareness of the possibility of high-resolution proton tomography using magneto-optics.« less

Low-temperature THz time domain waveguide spectrometer with butt-coupled emitter and detector crystal.

PubMed

Qiao, W; Stephan, D; Hasselbeck, M; Liang, Q; Dekorsy, T

2012-08-27

A compact high-resolution THz time-domain waveguide spectrometer that is operated inside a cryostat is demonstrated. A THz photo-Dember emitter and a ZnTe electro-optic detection crystal are directly attached to a parallel copper-plate waveguide. This allows the THz beam to be excited and detected entirely inside the cryostat, obviating the need for THz-transparent windows or external THz mirrors. Since no external bias for the emitter is required, no electric feed-through into the cryostat is necessary. Using asynchronous optical sampling, high resolution THz spectra are obtained in the frequency range from 0.2 to 2.0 THz. The THz emission from the photo-Dember emitter and the absorption spectrum of 1,2-dicyanobenzene film are measured as a function of temperature. An absorption peak around 750 GHz of 1,2-dicyanobenzene displays a blue shift with increasing temperature.

Q-switch-pumped supercontinuum for ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Maria, Michael; Bravo Gonzalo, Ivan; Feuchter, Thomas; Denninger, Mark; Moselund, Peter M; Leick, Lasse; Bang, Ole; Podoleanu, Adrian

2017-11-15

In this Letter, we investigate the possibility of using a commercially available Q-switch-pumped supercontinuum (QS-SC) source, operating in the kilohertz regime, for ultra-high resolution optical coherence tomography (UHR-OCT) in the 1300 nm region. The QS-SC source proves to be more intrinsically stable from pulse to pulse than a mode-locked-based SC (ML-SC) source while, at the same time, is less expensive. However, its pumping rate is lower than that used in ML-SC sources. Therefore, we investigate here specific conditions to make such a source usable for OCT. We compare images acquired with the QS-SC source and with a current state-of-the-art SC source used for imaging. We show that comparable visual contrast obtained with the two technologies is achievable by increasing the readout time of the camera to include a sufficient number of QS-SC pulses.

Scintillating fibres coupled to silicon photomultiplier prototypes for fast beam monitoring and thin timing detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papa, A.; Kettle, P.-R.; Ripiccini, E.; Rutar, G.

2016-07-01

Several scintillating fibre prototypes (single- and double-layers) made of 250 μm multi-clad square fibres coupled to silicon photomultiplier have been studied using electrons, positrons and muons at different energies. Current measurements show promising results: already for a single fibre layer and minimum ionizing particles we obtain a detection efficiency ≥ 95 % (mean collected light/fibre ≈ 8 phe), a timing resolution of 550 ps/fibre and a foreseen spatial resolution < 100 μm, based on the achieved negligible optical cross-talk between fibres (< 1 %). We will also discuss the performances of a double-layer staggered prototype configuration, for which a full detection efficiency (≥ 99 %) has been measured together with a timing resolution of ≈ 400 ps for double hit events.

Refractive index and viscosity: dual sensing with plastic fibre gratings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferreira, Ricardo; Bilro, Lúcia; Marques, Carlos; Oliveira, Ricardo; Nogueira, Rogério

2014-05-01

A refractive index and viscosity sensor based on FBGs in mPOF is reported for the first time. The refractive index was measured with a sensitivity of -10:98nm=RIU and a resolution of 1 - 10-4RIU. Viscosity measurements were performed with acousto-optic modulation, obtaining a sensitivity of -94:42%=mPa • s and a resolution of 0:06mPa • s.

High-Speed Laser Imaging, Emission and Temperature Measurements of Explosions

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-09-01

of these optical fibers illuminated the entrance slit of a dedicated Ocean Optics model HR-2000 spectrograph. The seven spectrographs were modified...Hewlett-Packard). The spectral response of the system was calibrated using an ARC Model XS432 Xenon lamp. Time resolution is approximately 12...F FOROHAR 101 STRAUSS AVE INDIAN HEAD MD 20640-5035 1 NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CTR CODE 920J R GUIRGUIS 101 STRAUSS AVE INDIAN

A Compact "Water Window" Microscope with 60 nm Spatial Resolution for Applications in Biology and Nanotechnology.

PubMed

Wachulak, Przemyslaw; Torrisi, Alfio; Nawaz, Muhammad F; Bartnik, Andrzej; Adjei, Daniel; Vondrová, Šárka; Turňová, Jana; Jančarek, Alexandr; Limpouch, Jiří; Vrbová, Miroslava; Fiedorowicz, Henryk

2015-10-01

Short illumination wavelength allows an extension of the diffraction limit toward nanometer scale; thus, improving spatial resolution in optical systems. Soft X-ray (SXR) radiation, from "water window" spectral range, λ=2.3-4.4 nm wavelength, which is particularly suitable for biological imaging due to natural optical contrast provides better spatial resolution than one obtained with visible light microscopes. The high contrast in the "water window" is obtained because of selective radiation absorption by carbon and water, which are constituents of the biological samples. The development of SXR microscopes permits the visualization of features on the nanometer scale, but often with a tradeoff, which can be seen between the exposure time and the size and complexity of the microscopes. Thus, herein, we present a desk-top system, which overcomes the already mentioned limitations and is capable of resolving 60 nm features with very short exposure time. Even though the system is in its initial stage of development, we present different applications of the system for biology and nanotechnology. Construction of the microscope with recently acquired images of various samples will be presented and discussed. Such a high resolution imaging system represents an interesting solution for biomedical, material science, and nanotechnology applications.

The Bermuda Bio-Optics Program (BBOP). Chapter 16

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Siegel, David A.

2001-01-01

The Bermuda Bio-Optics Project (BBOP) is a collaborative effort between the Institute for Computational Earth System Science (ICESS) at the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) and the Bermuda Biological Station for Research (BBSR). This research program is designed to characterize light availability and utilization in the Sargasso Sea, and to provide an optical link by which biogeochemical observations may be used to evaluate bio-optical models for pigment concentration, primary production, and sinking particle fluxes from satellite-based ocean color sensors. The BBOP time-series was initiated in 1992, and is carried out in conjunction with the US JGOFS Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research. The BATS program itself has been observing biogeochemical processes (primary productivity, particle flux at and elemental cycles) in the mesotrophic waters of the Sargasso Sea since 1988. Closely affiliated with BBOP and BATS is a separate NASA-funded study of the spatial variability of biogeochemical processes in the Sargasso Sea using high-resolution Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) data collected at Bermuda. The collaboration between BATS and BBOP measurements has resulted in a unique data set that addresses not only the SIMBIOS goals but also the broader issues of important factors controlling the carbon cycle.

Experimental demonstration of the real-time online fault monitoring technique for chaos-based passive optical networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dou, Xinyu; Yin, Hongxi; Yue, Hehe; Jin, Yu; Shen, Jing; Li, Lin

2015-09-01

In this paper, a real-time online fault monitoring technique for chaos-based passive optical networks (PONs) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The fault monitoring is performed by the chaotic communication signal. The proof-of-concept experiments are demonstrated for two PON structures, i.e., wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) PON and Ethernet PON (EPON), respectively. For WDM PON, two monitoring approaches are investigated, one deploying a chaotic optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) for each transmitter, and the other using only one tunable chaotic OTDR. The experimental results show that the faults at beyond 20 km from the OLT can be detected and located. The spatial resolution of the tunable chaotic OTDR is an order of magnitude of centimeter. Meanwhile, the monitoring process can operate in parallel with the chaotic optical secure communications. The proposed technique has benefits of real-time, online, precise fault location, and simple realization, which will significantly reduce the cost of operation, administration and maintenance (OAM) of PON.

A Conceptual Design For A Spaceborne 3D Imaging Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Degnan, John J.; Smith, David E. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

First generation spaceborne altimetric approaches are not well-suited to generating the few meter level horizontal resolution and decimeter accuracy vertical (range) resolution on the global scale desired by many in the Earth and planetary science communities. The present paper discusses the major technological impediments to achieving few meter transverse resolutions globally using conventional approaches and offers a feasible conceptual design which utilizes modest power kHz rate lasers, array detectors, photon-counting multi-channel timing receivers, and dual wedge optical scanners with transmitter point-ahead correction.

Optical design and development of a snapshot light-field laryngoscope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Shuaishuai; Jin, Peng; Liang, Rongguang; Gao, Liang

2018-02-01

The convergence of recent advances in optical fabrication and digital processing yields a generation of imaging technology-light-field (LF) cameras which bridge the realms of applied mathematics, optics, and high-performance computing. Herein for the first time, we introduce the paradigm of LF imaging into laryngoscopy. The resultant probe can image the three-dimensional shape of vocal folds within a single camera exposure. Furthermore, to improve the spatial resolution, we developed an image fusion algorithm, providing a simple solution to a long-standing problem in LF imaging.

Unidirectional growth, rocking curve, linear and nonlinear optical properties of LPHCl single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, P. Ramesh; Gunaseelan, R.; Raj, A. Antony; Selvakumar, S.; Sagayaraj, P.

2012-06-01

Nonlinear optical amino-acid single crystal of L-phenylalanine hydrochloride (LPHCl) was successfully grown by unidirectional Sankaranarayanan-Ramasamy (SR) method under ambient conditions for the first time. The grown single crystal was subjected to different characterization analyses in order to find out its suitability for device fabrication. The crystalline perfection was evaluated using high-resolution X-ray diffractometry. It is evident from the optical absorption study that crystal has excellent transmission in the entire visible region with its lower cut off wavelength around 290 nm.

Super-resolution in a defocused plenoptic camera: a wave-optics-based approach.

PubMed

Sahin, Erdem; Katkovnik, Vladimir; Gotchev, Atanas

2016-03-01

Plenoptic cameras enable the capture of a light field with a single device. However, with traditional light field rendering procedures, they can provide only low-resolution two-dimensional images. Super-resolution is considered to overcome this drawback. In this study, we present a super-resolution method for the defocused plenoptic camera (Plenoptic 1.0), where the imaging system is modeled using wave optics principles and utilizing low-resolution depth information of the scene. We are particularly interested in super-resolution of in-focus and near in-focus scene regions, which constitute the most challenging cases. The simulation results show that the employed wave-optics model makes super-resolution possible for such regions as long as sufficiently accurate depth information is available.

Spiral Transformation for High-Resolution and Efficient Sorting of Optical Vortex Modes.

PubMed

Wen, Yuanhui; Chremmos, Ioannis; Chen, Yujie; Zhu, Jiangbo; Zhang, Yanfeng; Yu, Siyuan

2018-05-11

Mode sorting is an essential function for optical multiplexing systems that exploit the orthogonality of the orbital angular momentum mode space. The familiar log-polar optical transformation provides a simple yet efficient approach whose resolution is, however, restricted by a considerable overlap between adjacent modes resulting from the limited excursion of the phase along a complete circle around the optical vortex axis. We propose and experimentally verify a new optical transformation that maps spirals (instead of concentric circles) to parallel lines. As the phase excursion along a spiral in the wave front of an optical vortex is theoretically unlimited, this new optical transformation can separate orbital angular momentum modes with superior resolution while maintaining unity efficiency.

Spiral Transformation for High-Resolution and Efficient Sorting of Optical Vortex Modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Yuanhui; Chremmos, Ioannis; Chen, Yujie; Zhu, Jiangbo; Zhang, Yanfeng; Yu, Siyuan

2018-05-01

Mode sorting is an essential function for optical multiplexing systems that exploit the orthogonality of the orbital angular momentum mode space. The familiar log-polar optical transformation provides a simple yet efficient approach whose resolution is, however, restricted by a considerable overlap between adjacent modes resulting from the limited excursion of the phase along a complete circle around the optical vortex axis. We propose and experimentally verify a new optical transformation that maps spirals (instead of concentric circles) to parallel lines. As the phase excursion along a spiral in the wave front of an optical vortex is theoretically unlimited, this new optical transformation can separate orbital angular momentum modes with superior resolution while maintaining unity efficiency.

Test target for characterizing 3D resolution of optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Zhixiong; Hao, Bingtao; Liu, Wenli; Hong, Baoyu; Li, Jiao

2014-12-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive 3D imaging technology which has been applied or investigated in many diagnostic fields including ophthalmology, dermatology, dentistry, cardiovasology, endoscopy, brain imaging and so on. Optical resolution is an important characteristic that can describe the quality and utility of an image acquiring system. We employ 3D printing technology to design and fabricate a test target for characterizing 3D resolution of optical coherence tomography. The test target which mimics USAF 1951 test chart was produced with photopolymer. By measuring the 3D test target, axial resolution as well as lateral resolution of a spectral domain OCT system was evaluated. For comparison, conventional microscope and surface profiler were employed to characterize the 3D test targets. The results demonstrate that the 3D resolution test targets have the potential of qualitatively and quantitatively validating the performance of OCT systems.

Classifying murine glomerulonephritis using optical coherence tomography and optical coherence elastography.

PubMed

Liu, Chih-Hao; Du, Yong; Singh, Manmohan; Wu, Chen; Han, Zhaolong; Li, Jiasong; Chang, Anthony; Mohan, Chandra; Larin, Kirill V

2016-08-01

Acute glomerulonephritis caused by antiglomerular basement membrane marked by high mortality. The primary reason for this is delayed diagnosis via blood examination, urine analysis, tissue biopsy, or ultrasound and X-ray computed tomography imaging. Blood, urine, and tissue-based diagnoses can be time consuming, while ultrasound and CT imaging have relatively low spatial resolution, with reduced sensitivity. Optical coherence tomography is a noninvasive and high-resolution imaging technique that provides superior spatial resolution (micrometer scale) as compared to ultrasound and CT. Changes in tissue properties can be detected based on the optical metrics analyzed from the OCT signals, such as optical attenuation and speckle variance. Furthermore, OCT does not rely on ionizing radiation as with CT imaging. In addition to structural changes, the elasticity of the kidney can significantly change due to nephritis. In this work, OCT has been utilized to quantify the difference in tissue properties between healthy and nephritic murine kidneys. Although OCT imaging could identify the diseased tissue, its classification accuracy is clinically inadequate. By combining optical metrics with elasticity, the classification accuracy improves from 76% to 95%. These results show that OCT combined with OCE can be a powerful tool for identifying and classifying nephritis. Therefore, the OCT/OCE method could potentially be used as a minimally invasive tool for longitudinal studies during the progression and therapy of glomerulonephritis as well as complement and, perhaps, substitute highly invasive tissue biopsies. Elastic-wave propagation in mouse healthy and nephritic kidneys. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The Adaptive Optics Lucky Imager: Diffraction limited imaging at visible wavelengths with large ground-based telescopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crass, Jonathan; Mackay, Craig; King, David; Rebolo-López, Rafael; Labadie, Lucas; Puga, Marta; Oscoz, Alejandro; González Escalera, Victor; Pérez Garrido, Antonio; López, Roberto; Pérez-Prieto, Jorge; Rodríguez-Ramos, Luis; Velasco, Sergio; Villó, Isidro

2015-01-01

One of the continuing challenges facing astronomers today is the need to obtain ever higher resolution images of the sky. Whether studying nearby crowded fields or distant objects, with increased resolution comes the ability to probe systems in more detail and advance our understanding of the Universe. Obtaining these high-resolution images at visible wavelengths however has previously been limited to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) due to atmospheric effects limiting the spatial resolution of ground-based telescopes to a fraction of their potential. With HST now having a finite lifespan, it is prudent to investigate other techniques capable of providing these kind of observations from the ground. Maintaining this capability is one of the goals of the Adaptive Optics Lucky Imager (AOLI).Achieving the highest resolutions requires the largest telescope apertures, however, this comes at the cost of increased atmospheric distortion. To overcome these atmospheric effects, there are two main techniques employed today: adaptive optics (AO) and lucky imaging. These techniques individually are unable to provide diffraction limited imaging in the visible on large ground-based telescopes; AO currently only works at infrared wavelengths while lucky imaging reduces in effectiveness on telescopes greater than 2.5 metres in diameter. The limitations of both techniques can be overcome by combing them together to provide diffraction limited imaging at visible wavelengths on the ground.The Adaptive Optics Lucky Imager is being developed as a European collaboration and combines AO and lucky imaging in a dedicated instrument for the first time. Initially for use on the 4.2 metre William Herschel Telescope, AOLI uses a low-order adaptive optics system to reduce the effects of atmospheric turbulence before imaging with a lucky imaging based science detector. The AO system employs a novel type of wavefront sensor, the non-linear Curvature Wavefront Sensor (nlCWFS) which provides significant sky-coverage using natural guide-stars alone.Here we present an overview of the instrument design, results from the first on-sky and laboratory testing and on-going development work of the instrument and its adaptive optics system.

Microsphere-aided optical microscopy and its applications for super-resolution imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Upputuri, Paul Kumar; Pramanik, Manojit

2017-12-01

The spatial resolution of a standard optical microscope (SOM) is limited by diffraction. In visible spectrum, SOM can provide ∼ 200 nm resolution. To break the diffraction limit several approaches were developed including scanning near field microscopy, metamaterial super-lenses, nanoscale solid immersion lenses, super-oscillatory lenses, confocal fluorescence microscopy, techniques that exploit non-linear response of fluorophores like stimulated emission depletion microscopy, stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy, etc. Recently, photonic nanojet generated by a dielectric microsphere was used to break the diffraction limit. The microsphere-approach is simple, cost-effective and can be implemented under a standard microscope, hence it has gained enormous attention for super-resolution imaging. In this article, we briefly review the microsphere approach and its applications for super-resolution imaging in various optical imaging modalities.

Multi-modal diffuse optical techniques for breast cancer neoadjuvant chemotherapy monitoring (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cochran, Jeffrey M.; Busch, David R.; Ban, Han Y.; Kavuri, Venkaiah C.; Schweiger, Martin J.; Arridge, Simon R.; Yodh, Arjun G.

2017-02-01

We present high spatial density, multi-modal, parallel-plate Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT) imaging systems for the purpose of breast tumor detection. One hybrid instrument provides time domain (TD) and continuous wave (CW) DOT at 64 source fiber positions. The TD diffuse optical spectroscopy with PMT- detection produces low-resolution images of absolute tissue scattering and absorption while the spatially dense array of CCD-coupled detector fibers (108 detectors) provides higher-resolution CW images of relative tissue optical properties. Reconstruction of the tissue optical properties, along with total hemoglobin concentration and tissue oxygen saturation, is performed using the TOAST software suite. Comparison of the spatially-dense DOT images and MR images allows for a robust validation of DOT against an accepted clinical modality. Additionally, the structural information from co-registered MR images is used as a spatial prior to improve the quality of the functional optical images and provide more accurate quantification of the optical and hemodynamic properties of tumors. We also present an optical-only imaging system that provides frequency domain (FD) DOT at 209 source positions with full CCD detection and incorporates optical fringe projection profilometry to determine the breast boundary. This profilometry serves as a spatial constraint, improving the quality of the DOT reconstructions while retaining the benefits of an optical-only device. We present initial images from both human subjects and phantoms to display the utility of high spatial density data and multi-modal information in DOT reconstruction with the two systems.

In vivo super-resolution imaging of transient retinal phototropism evoked by oblique light stimulation.

PubMed

Lu, Yiming; Liu, Changgeng; Yao, Xincheng

2018-05-01

Rod-dominated transient retinal phototropism (TRP) has been observed in freshly isolated retinas, promising a noninvasive biomarker for objective assessment of retinal physiology. However, in vivo mapping of TRP is challenging due to its subcellular signal magnitude and fast time course. We report here a virtually structured detection-based super-resolution ophthalmoscope to achieve subcellular spatial resolution and millisecond temporal resolution for in vivo imaging of TRP. Spatiotemporal properties of in vivo TRP were characterized corresponding to variable light intensity stimuli, confirming that TRP is tightly correlated with early stages of phototransduction. (2018) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Soft X-ray Foucault test: A path to diffraction-limited imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ray-Chaudhuri, A. K.; Ng, W.; Liang, S.; Cerrina, F.

1994-08-01

We present the development of a soft X-ray Foucault test capable of characterizing the imaging properties of a soft X-ray optical system at its operational wavelength and its operational configuration. This optical test enables direct visual inspection of imaging aberrations and provides real-time feedback for the alignment of high resolution soft X-ray optical systems. A first application of this optical test was carried out on a Mo-Si multilayer-coated Schwarzschild objective as part of the MAXIMUM project. Results from the alignment procedure are presented as well as the possibility for testing in the hard X-ray regime.

Polymer Waveguide Fabrication Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramey, Delvan A.

1985-01-01

The ability of integrated optic systems to compete in signal processing aplications with more traditional analog and digital electronic systems is discussed. The Acousto-Optic Spectrum Analyzer is an example which motivated the particular work discussed herein. Provided real time processing is more critical than absolute accuracy, such integrated optic systems fulfill a design need. Fan-out waveguide arrays allow crosstalk in system detector arrays to be controlled without directly limiting system resolution. A polyurethane pattern definition process was developed in order to demonstrate fan-out arrays. This novel process is discussed, along with further research needs. Integrated optic system market penetration would be enhanced by development of commercial processes of this type.

Optical microscope and tapered fiber coupling apparatus for a dilution refrigerator.

PubMed

MacDonald, A J R; Popowich, G G; Hauer, B D; Kim, P H; Fredrick, A; Rojas, X; Doolin, P; Davis, J P

2015-01-01

We have developed a system for tapered fiber measurements of optomechanical resonators inside a dilution refrigerator, which is compatible with both on- and off-chip devices. Our apparatus features full three-dimensional control of the taper-resonator coupling conditions enabling critical coupling, with an overall fiber transmission efficiency of up to 70%. Notably, our design incorporates an optical microscope system consisting of a coherent bundle of 37,000 optical fibers for real-time imaging of the experiment at a resolution of ∼1 μm. We present cryogenic optical and optomechanical measurements of resonators coupled to tapered fibers at temperatures as low as 9 mK.

Grating-based real-time smart optics for biomedicine and communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yaqoob, Zahid

Novel photonic systems are proposed and experimentally validated using active as well as passive wavelength dispersive optical devices in unique fashions to solve important system level application problems in biomedicine and laser communications. Specifically for the first time are proposed, high dynamic range variable optical attenuators (VOAs) using bulk acousto-optics (AO). These AO-based architectures have excellent characteristics such as high laser damage threshold (e.g., 1 Watt CW laser power operations), large (e.g., >40 dB) dynamic range, and microsecond domain attenuation setting speed. The demonstrated architectures show potentials for compact, low static insertion loss, and low power VOA designs for wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) fiber-optic communication networks and high speed photonic signal processing for optical and radio frequency (RF) radar and electronic warfare (EW). Acoustic diffraction of light in isotropic media has been manipulated to design and demonstrate on a proof-of-principle basis, the first bulk AO-based optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for high-resolution sub-surface tissue diagnostics. As opposed to the current OCT systems that use mechanical means to generate optical delays, both free-space as well as fiber-optic AO-based OCT systems utilize unique electronically-controlled acousto-optically switched no-moving parts optical delay lines and therefore promise microsecond speed OCT data acquisition rates. The proposed OCT systems also feature high (e.g., >100 MHz) intermediate frequency for low 1/f noise heterodyne detection. For the first time, two agile laser beam steering schemes that are members of a new beam steering technology known as Multiplexed-Optical Scanner Technology (MOST) are theoretically investigated and experimentally demonstrated. The new scanner technologies are based on wavelength and space manipulations and possess remarkable features such as a no-moving parts fast (e.g., microseconds domain or less) beam switching speed option, large (e.g., several centimeters) scanner apertures for high-resolution scans, and large (e.g., >10°) angular scans in more than one dimensions. These incredible features make these scanners excellent candidates for high-end applications. Specifically discussed and experimentally analyzed for the first time are novel MOST-based systems for agile free-space lasercom links, internal and external cavity scanning biomedical probes, and high-speed optical data handling such as barcode scanners. In addition, a novel low sidelobe wavelength selection filter based on a single bulk crystal acousto-optic tunable filter device is theoretically analyzed and experimentally demonstrated showing its versatility as a scanner control fiber-optic component for interfacing with the proposed wavelength based optical scanners. In conclusion, this thesis has shown how powerful photonic systems can be realized via novel architectures using active and passive wavelength sensitive optics leading to advanced solutions for the biomedical and laser communications research communities.

The effect of spatial resolution upon cloud optical property retrievals. I - Optical thickness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feind, Rand E.; Christopher, Sundar A.; Welch, Ronald M.

1992-01-01

High spectral and spatial resolution Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) imagery is used to study the effects of spatial resolution upon fair weather cumulus cloud optical thickness retrievals. As a preprocessing step, a variation of the Gao and Goetz three-band ratio technique is used to discriminate clouds from the background. The combination of the elimination of cloud shadow pixels and using the first derivative of the histogram allows for accurate cloud edge discrimination. The data are progressively degraded from 20 m to 960 m spatial resolution. The results show that retrieved cloud area increases with decreasing spatial resolution. The results also show that there is a monotonic decrease in retrieved cloud optical thickness with decreasing spatial resolution. It is also demonstrated that the use of a single, monospectral reflectance threshold is inadequate for identifying cloud pixels in fair weather cumulus scenes and presumably in any inhomogeneous cloud field. Cloud edges have a distribution of reflectance thresholds. The incorrect identification of cloud edges significantly impacts the accurate retrieval of cloud optical thickness values.

Probing evolutionary population synthesis models in the near infrared with early-type galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dahmer-Hahn, Luis Gabriel; Riffel, Rogério; Rodríguez-Ardila, Alberto; Martins, Lucimara P.; Kehrig, Carolina; Heckman, Timothy M.; Pastoriza, Miriani G.; Dametto, Natacha Z.

2018-06-01

We performed a near-infrared (NIR; ˜1.0 -2.4 μm) stellar population study in a sample of early-type galaxies. The synthesis was performed using five different evolutionary population synthesis libraries of models. Our main results can be summarized as follows: low-spectral-resolution libraries are not able to produce reliable results when applied to the NIR alone, with each library finding a different dominant population. The two newest higher resolution models, on the other hand, perform considerably better, finding consistent results to each other and to literature values. We also found that optical results are consistent with each other even for lower resolution models. We also compared optical and NIR results and found out that lower resolution models tend to disagree in the optical and in the NIR, with higher fraction of young populations in the NIR and dust extinction ˜1 mag higher than optical values. For higher resolution models, optical and NIR results tend to agree much better, suggesting that a higher spectral resolution is fundamental to improve the quality of the results.

TH-C-19A-05: Evaluation of a New Reusable 3D Dosimeter

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Juang, T; Adamovics, J; Oldham, M

Purpose: PRESAGE is a radiochromic plastic which has demonstrated strong potential for high resolution single-use 3D dosimetry. This study evaluates a new PRESAGE formulation (Presage-RU) in which the radiochromic response is reversible (the dosimeter optically clears after irradiation), enabling the potential for reusability. Methods: Presage-RU dose response and optical-clearing rates were evaluated in both small volume dosimeters (1×1×4.5cm) and a larger cylindrical dosimeter (8cm diameter, 4.5cm length). All dosimeters were allowed to fully optically clear in dark, room temperature conditions between irradiations. Dose response was determined by irradiating small volume samples from 0–8.0Gy and measuring change in optical density. Themore » cylindrical dosimeter was irradiated with a simple 4-field box plan (parallel opposed pairs of 4cm×4cm AP-PA beams and 2cm×4cm lateral beams) to 20Gy. High resolution 3D dosimetry was achieved utilizing optical-CT readout. Readings were tracked up to 14 days to characterize optical clearing. Results: Initial irradiation yielded a response of 0.0119△OD/(Gy*cm) while two subsequent reirradiations yielded a lower but consistent response of 0.0087△OD/(Gy*cm). Strong linearity of dose response was observed for all irradiations. In the large cylindrical dosimeter, the integral dose within the high dose region exhibited an exponential decay in signal over time (halflife= 23.9 hours), with the dosimeter effectively cleared (0.04% of the initial signal) after 10 days. Subsequent irradiation resulted in 19.5% lower initial signal but demonstrated that the exponential clearing rate remained consistent. Results of additional subsequent irradiations will also be presented. Conclusion: This work introduces a new re-usable radiochromic dosimeter (Presage-RU) compatible with high resolution (sub-millimeter) 3D dosimetry. Sensitivity of the initial radiation was observed to be slightly higher than subsequent irradiations, but the clearing time remained constant, indicating the dosimeter can be re-used after 10 days. Presage-RU has potential to dramatically improve cost-effectiveness and thereby lower the barrier for implementing comprehensive, high resolution 3D dosimetry. John Adamovics is the president of Heuris Inc., which commercializes PRESAGE.« less

Distributed phase birefringence measurements based on polarization correlation in phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometers.

PubMed

Soto, Marcelo A; Lu, Xin; Martins, Hugo F; Gonzalez-Herraez, Miguel; Thévenaz, Luc

2015-09-21

In this paper a technique to measure the distributed birefringence profile along optical fibers is proposed and experimentally validated. The method is based on the spectral correlation between two sets of orthogonally-polarized measurements acquired using a phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometer (ϕOTDR). The correlation between the two measured spectra gives a resonance (correlation) peak at a frequency detuning that is proportional to the local refractive index difference between the two orthogonal polarization axes of the fiber. In this way the method enables local phase birefringence measurements at any position along optical fibers, so that any longitudinal fluctuation can be precisely evaluated with metric spatial resolution. The method has been experimentally validated by measuring fibers with low and high birefringence, such as standard single-mode fibers as well as conventional polarization-maintaining fibers. The technique has potential applications in the characterization of optical fibers for telecommunications as well as in distributed optical fiber sensing.

Dual-wavelength photothermal optical coherence tomography for blood oxygen saturation measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Biwei; Kuranov, Roman V.; McElroy, Austin B.; Milner, Thomas E.

2013-03-01

We report design and demonstration of a dual wavelength photothermal (DWP) optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for imaging of a phantom microvessel and measurement of hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SO2) level. The DWP-OCT system contains a swept-source (SS) two-beam phase-sensitive (PhS) OCT system (1060 nm) and two intensity modulated photothermal excitation lasers (770 nm and 800 nm). The PhS-OCT probe beam (1060 nm) and photothermal excitation beams are combined into one single-mode optical fiber. A galvanometer based two-dimensional achromatic scanning system is designed to provide 14 μm lateral resolution for the PhS-OCT probe beam (1060 nm) and 13 μm lateral resolution for photothermal excitation beams. DWP-OCT system's sensitivity is 102 dB, axial resolution is 13 μm in tissue and uses a real-time digital dispersion compensation algorithm. Noise floor for optical pathlength measurements is 300 pm in the signal frequency range (380-400 Hz) of photothermal modulation frequencies. Blood SO2 level is calculated from measured optical pathlength (op) signal in a 300 μm diameter microvessel phantom introduced by the two photothermal excitation beams. En-face and B-scan images of a phantom microvessel are recorded, and six blood samples' SO2 levels are measured using DWP-OCT and compared with values provided by a commercial blood oximeter. A mathematical model indicates thermal diffusion introduces a systematic artifact that over-estimates SO2 values and is consistent with measured data.

Near-field microscopy with a microfabricated solid immersion lens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fletcher, Daniel Alden

2001-07-01

Diffraction of focused light prevents optical microscopes from resolving features in air smaller than half the wavelength, λ Spatial resolution can be improved by passing light through a sub-wavelength metal aperture scanned close to a sample, but aperture-based probes suffer from low optical throughput, typically below 10-4. An alternate and more efficient technique is solid immersion microscopy in which light is focused through a high refractive index Solid Immersion Lens (SIL). This work describes the fabrication, modeling, and use of a microfabricated SIL to obtain spatial resolution better than the diffraction limit in air with high optical throughput for infrared applications. SILs on the order of 10 μm in diameter are fabricated from single-crystal silicon and integrated onto silicon cantilevers with tips for scanning. We measure a focused spot size of λ/5 with optical throughput better than 10-1 at a wavelength of λ = 9.3 μm. Spatial resolution is improved to λ/10 with metal apertures fabricated directly on the tip of the silicon SIL. Microlenses have reduced spherical aberration and better transparency than large lenses but cannot be made arbitrarily small and still focus. We model the advantages and limitations of focusing in lenses close to the wavelength in diameter using an extension of Mie theory. We also investigate a new contrast mechanism unique to microlenses resulting from the decrease in field-of-view with lens diameter. This technique is shown to achieve λ/4 spatial resolution. We explore applications of the microfabricated silicon SIL for high spatial resolution thermal microscopy and biological spectroscopy. Thermal radiation is collected through the SIL from a heated surface with spatial resolution four times better than that of a diffraction- limited infrared microscope. Using a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, we observe absorption peaks in bacteria cells positioned at the focus of the silicon SIL.

Hyperspectral Imager-Tracker

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Agurok, Llya

2013-01-01

The Hyperspectral Imager-Tracker (HIT) is a technique for visualization and tracking of low-contrast, fast-moving objects. The HIT architecture is based on an innovative and only recently developed concept in imaging optics. This innovative architecture will give the Light Prescriptions Innovators (LPI) HIT the possibility of simultaneously collecting the spectral band images (hyperspectral cube), IR images, and to operate with high-light-gathering power and high magnification for multiple fast- moving objects. Adaptive Spectral Filtering algorithms will efficiently increase the contrast of low-contrast scenes. The most hazardous parts of a space mission are the first stage of a launch and the last 10 kilometers of the landing trajectory. In general, a close watch on spacecraft operation is required at distances up to 70 km. Tracking at such distances is usually associated with the use of radar, but its milliradian angular resolution translates to 100- m spatial resolution at 70-km distance. With sufficient power, radar can track a spacecraft as a whole object, but will not provide detail in the case of an accident, particularly for small debris in the onemeter range, which can only be achieved optically. It will be important to track the debris, which could disintegrate further into more debris, all the way to the ground. Such fragmentation could cause ballistic predictions, based on observations using high-resolution but narrow-field optics for only the first few seconds of the event, to be inaccurate. No optical imager architecture exists to satisfy NASA requirements. The HIT was developed for space vehicle tracking, in-flight inspection, and in the case of an accident, a detailed recording of the event. The system is a combination of five subsystems: (1) a roving fovea telescope with a wide 30 field of regard; (2) narrow, high-resolution fovea field optics; (3) a Coude optics system for telescope output beam stabilization; (4) a hyperspectral-mutispectral imaging assembly; and (5) image analysis software with effective adaptive spectral filtering algorithm for real-time contrast enhancement.

Adaptive optics improves multiphoton super-resolution imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Wei; Wu, Yicong; Winter, Peter; Shroff, Hari

2018-02-01

Three dimensional (3D) fluorescence microscopy has been essential for biological studies. It allows interrogation of structure and function at spatial scales spanning the macromolecular, cellular, and tissue levels. Critical factors to consider in 3D microscopy include spatial resolution, signal-to-noise (SNR), signal-to-background (SBR), and temporal resolution. Maintaining high quality imaging becomes progressively more difficult at increasing depth (where optical aberrations, induced by inhomogeneities of refractive index in the sample, degrade resolution and SNR), and in thick or densely labeled samples (where out-of-focus background can swamp the valuable, in-focus-signal from each plane). In this report, we introduce our new instrumentation to address these problems. A multiphoton structured illumination microscope was simply modified to integrate an adpative optics system for optical aberrations correction. Firstly, the optical aberrations are determined using direct wavefront sensing with a nonlinear guide star and subsequently corrected using a deformable mirror, restoring super-resolution information. We demonstrate the flexibility of our adaptive optics approach on a variety of semi-transparent samples, including bead phantoms, cultured cells in collagen gels and biological tissues. The performance of our super-resolution microscope is improved in all of these samples, as peak intensity is increased (up to 40-fold) and resolution recovered (up to 176+/-10 nm laterally and 729+/-39 nm axially) at depths up to 250 μm from the coverslip surface.

Systems for measuring response statistics of gigahertz bandwidth photomultipliers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abshire, J. B.; Rowe, H. E.

1977-01-01

New systems have been developed for measuring the average impulse response, the pulse-height spectrum, the transit-time statistics as a function of signal level, and the dark-count spectrum of gigahertz bandwidth photomultipliers. Measurements showed that the 0.53 microns pulse used as an optical test source had a 30 picoseconds and less than 70 ps pulse width. Calibration data showed the system resolution to be less than 20 ps for root mean square transit-time measurements. Test data for a static crossed-field photomultiplier showed 2-photoelectron resolution and less than 30-ps time jitter over the 1- to 100-photoelectron range.

PEPSI-feed: linking PEPSI to the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope using a 450m long fibre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sablowski, D. P.; Weber, M.; Woche, M.; Ilyin, I.; Järvinen, A.; Strassmeier, K. G.; Gabor, P.

2016-07-01

Limited observing time at large telescopes equipped with the most powerful spectrographs makes it almost impossible to gain long and well-sampled time-series observations. Ditto, high-time-resolution observations of bright targets with high signal-to-noise are rare. By pulling an optical fibre of 450m length from the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope (VATT) to the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) to connect the Potsdam Echelle Polarimetric and Spectroscopic Instrument (PEPSI) to the VATT, allows for ultra-high resolution time-series measurements of bright targets. This article presents the fibre-link in detail from the technical point-of-view, demonstrates its performance from first observations, and sketches current applications.

Characterization of TimepixCam, a fast imager for the time-stamping of optical photons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nomerotski, Andrei; Chakaberia, I.; Fisher-Levine, M.; Janoska, Z.; Takacs, P.; Tsang, T.

2017-01-01

We describe the characterization of TimepixCam, a novel camera used to time-stamp optical photons. The camera employs a specialized silicon sensor with a thin entrance window, read out by a Timepix ASIC. TimepixCam is able to record and time-stamp light flashes exceeding 1,000 photons with 15 ns time resolution. Specially produced photodiodes were used to evaluate the quantum efficiency, which was determined to be higher than 90% in the wavelength range of 430-900 nm. The quantum efficiency, sensitivity and ion detection efficiency were compared for a variety of sensors with different surface treatments. Sensors with the thinnest window, 50 nm, had the best performance.

Optical resolution by preferential crystallization of (1RS,3RS)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dihydroxy-1-methyl-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid.

PubMed

Shiraiwa, Tadashi; Kiyoe, Ryuuichi

2005-09-01

The racemic structure of (1RS,3RS)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-dihydroxy-1-methyl-3-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid [(1RS,3RS)-1] was examined based on the melting point, solubility, and IR spectrum, with the aim of optical resolution by preferential crystallization. (1RS,3RS)-1 was indicated from these results to exist as a conglomerate. The successive optical resolution by preferential crystallization of (1RS,3RS)-1 yielded (1S,3S)- and (1R,3R)-1 with optical purities of 85--95% at 66--81% degrees of resolution, which were fully purified by recrystallization.

The Mount Wilson Optical Shop during the Second World War

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abrahams, P.

2004-12-01

During the Second World War, the Optical Shop of Mount Wilson Observatory, located in Pasadena, engaged in a variety of exacting and pioneering ventures in optical design and fabrication. Roof prisms for military optics were produced on a large scale, leading to the production of an instruction manual, for guidance in other workshops. Triple mirrors, or autocollimating corner cubes, were another precision part made in large numbers. Aerial photography was extensively developed. Test procedures for measuring resolution of lenses were researched. Various camera shutters and film sweep mechanisms were devised. The most significant work concerned Schmidt cameras, for possible use in night-time aerial photography. Variations included a solid Schmidt, and the Schmidt Cassegrain, which was fabricated for the first time at MWO. Key figures include Don Hendrix, Roger Hayward, Aden Meinel, and Walter Adams.

Pure optical photoacoustic microscopy

PubMed Central

Xie, Zhixing; Chen, Sung-Liang; Ling, Tao; Guo, L. Jay; Carson, Paul L.; Wang, Xueding

2011-01-01

The concept of pure optical photoacoustic microscopy(POPAM) was proposed based on optical rastering of a focused excitation beam and optically sensing the photoacoustic signal using a microring resonator fabricated by a nanoimprinting technique. After the refinements of the microring’s working wavelength and in the resonator structure and mold fabrication, an ultrahigh Q factor of 3.0×105 was achieved which provided high sensitivity with a noise equivalent detectable pressure(NEDP) value of 29Pa. This NEDP is much lower than the hundreds of Pascals achieved with existing optical resonant structures such as etalons, fiber gratings and dielectric multilayer interference filters available for acoustic measurement. The featured high sensitivity allowed the microring resonator to detect the weak photoacoustic signals from micro- or submicroscale objects. The inherent superbroad bandwidth of the optical microring resonator combined with an optically focused scanning beam provided POPAM with high resolution in the axial as well as both lateral directions while the axial resolution of conventional photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) suffers from the limited bandwidth of PZT detectors. Furthermore, the broadband microring resonator showed similar sensitivity to that of our most sensitive PZT detector. The current POPAM system provides a lateral resolution of 5 μm and an axial resolution of 8 μm, comparable to that achieved by optical microscopy while presenting the unique contrast of optical absorption and functional information complementing other optical modalities. The 3D structure of microvasculature, including capillary networks, and even individual red blood cells have been discerned successfully in the proof-of-concept experiments on mouse bladders ex vivo and mouse ears in vivo. The potential of approximately GHz bandwidth of the microring resonator also might allow much higher resolution than shown here in microscopy of optical absorption and acoustic propagation properties at depths in unfrozen tissue specimens or thicker tissue sections, which is not now imageable with current optical or acoustic microscopes of comparable resolution. PMID:21643156

The use of EO Optical data for the Italian Supersites volcanoes monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silvestri, Malvina

2016-04-01

This work describes the INGV experience in the capability to import many different EO optical data into in house developed systems and to maintain a repository where the acquired data have been stored. These data are used for generating selected products which are functional to face the different volcanic activity phases. Examples on the processing of long time series based EO data of Mt Etna activity and Campi Flegrei observation by using remote sensing techniques and at different spatial resolution data (ASTER - 90mt, AVHRR -1km, MODIS-1km, MSG SEVIRI-3km) are also showed. Both volcanoes belong to Italian Supersites initiative of the geohazard scientific community. In the frame of the EC FP7 MED-SUV project (call FP7 ENV.2012.6.4-2), this work wants to describe the main activities concerning the generation of brightness temperature map from the satellite data acquired in real-time from INGV MEOS Multi-mission Antenna (for MODIS, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer and geostationary satellite data) and AVHRR-TERASCAN (for AVHRR, Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data). The advantage of direct download of EO data by means INGV antennas (with particular attention to AVHRR and MODIS) even though low spatial resolution offers the possibility of a systematic data processing having a daily updating of information for prompt response and hazard mitigation. At the same time it has been necessary the use of large archives to inventory and monitor dynamic and dangerous phenomena, like volcanic activity, globally.

All-passive pixel super-resolution of time-stretch imaging

PubMed Central

Chan, Antony C. S.; Ng, Ho-Cheung; Bogaraju, Sharat C. V.; So, Hayden K. H.; Lam, Edmund Y.; Tsia, Kevin K.

2017-01-01

Based on image encoding in a serial-temporal format, optical time-stretch imaging entails a stringent requirement of state-of-the-art fast data acquisition unit in order to preserve high image resolution at an ultrahigh frame rate — hampering the widespread utilities of such technology. Here, we propose a pixel super-resolution (pixel-SR) technique tailored for time-stretch imaging that preserves pixel resolution at a relaxed sampling rate. It harnesses the subpixel shifts between image frames inherently introduced by asynchronous digital sampling of the continuous time-stretch imaging process. Precise pixel registration is thus accomplished without any active opto-mechanical subpixel-shift control or other additional hardware. Here, we present the experimental pixel-SR image reconstruction pipeline that restores high-resolution time-stretch images of microparticles and biological cells (phytoplankton) at a relaxed sampling rate (≈2–5 GSa/s)—more than four times lower than the originally required readout rate (20 GSa/s) — is thus effective for high-throughput label-free, morphology-based cellular classification down to single-cell precision. Upon integration with the high-throughput image processing technology, this pixel-SR time-stretch imaging technique represents a cost-effective and practical solution for large scale cell-based phenotypic screening in biomedical diagnosis and machine vision for quality control in manufacturing. PMID:28303936

Time-resolved transillumination and optical tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Haller, Emmanuel B.

1996-01-01

In response to an invitation by the editor-in-chief, I would like to present the current status of time-domain imaging. With exciting new photon diffusion techniques being developed in the frequency domain and promising optical coherence tomography, time-resolved transillumination is in constant evolution and the subject of passionate discussions during the numerous conferences dedicated to this subject. The purpose of time-resolved optical tomography is to provide noninvasive, high-resolution imaging of the interior of living bodies by the use of nonionizing radiation. Moreover, the use of visible to near-infrared wavelength yields metabolic information. Breast cancer screening is the primary potential application for time-resolved imaging. Neurology and tissue characterization are also possible fields of applications. Time- resolved transillumination and optical tomography should not only improve diagnoses, but the welfare of the patient. As no overview of this technique has yet been presented to my knowledge, this paper briefly describes the various methods enabling time-resolved transillumination and optical tomography. The advantages and disadvantages of these methods, as well as the clinical challenges they face are discussed. Although an analytic and computable model of light transport through tissues is essential for a meaningful interpretation of the transillumination process, this paper will not dwell on the mathematics of photon propagation.

DMD-based LED-illumination super-resolution and optical sectioning microscopy.

PubMed

Dan, Dan; Lei, Ming; Yao, Baoli; Wang, Wen; Winterhalder, Martin; Zumbusch, Andreas; Qi, Yujiao; Xia, Liang; Yan, Shaohui; Yang, Yanlong; Gao, Peng; Ye, Tong; Zhao, Wei

2013-01-01

Super-resolution three-dimensional (3D) optical microscopy has incomparable advantages over other high-resolution microscopic technologies, such as electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, in the study of biological molecules, pathways and events in live cells and tissues. We present a novel approach of structured illumination microscopy (SIM) by using a digital micromirror device (DMD) for fringe projection and a low-coherence LED light for illumination. The lateral resolution of 90 nm and the optical sectioning depth of 120 μm were achieved. The maximum acquisition speed for 3D imaging in the optical sectioning mode was 1.6×10(7) pixels/second, which was mainly limited by the sensitivity and speed of the CCD camera. In contrast to other SIM techniques, the DMD-based LED-illumination SIM is cost-effective, ease of multi-wavelength switchable and speckle-noise-free. The 2D super-resolution and 3D optical sectioning modalities can be easily switched and applied to either fluorescent or non-fluorescent specimens.

DMD-based LED-illumination Super-resolution and optical sectioning microscopy

PubMed Central

Dan, Dan; Lei, Ming; Yao, Baoli; Wang, Wen; Winterhalder, Martin; Zumbusch, Andreas; Qi, Yujiao; Xia, Liang; Yan, Shaohui; Yang, Yanlong; Gao, Peng; Ye, Tong; Zhao, Wei

2013-01-01

Super-resolution three-dimensional (3D) optical microscopy has incomparable advantages over other high-resolution microscopic technologies, such as electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, in the study of biological molecules, pathways and events in live cells and tissues. We present a novel approach of structured illumination microscopy (SIM) by using a digital micromirror device (DMD) for fringe projection and a low-coherence LED light for illumination. The lateral resolution of 90 nm and the optical sectioning depth of 120 μm were achieved. The maximum acquisition speed for 3D imaging in the optical sectioning mode was 1.6×107 pixels/second, which was mainly limited by the sensitivity and speed of the CCD camera. In contrast to other SIM techniques, the DMD-based LED-illumination SIM is cost-effective, ease of multi-wavelength switchable and speckle-noise-free. The 2D super-resolution and 3D optical sectioning modalities can be easily switched and applied to either fluorescent or non-fluorescent specimens. PMID:23346373

A Verification of Optical Depth Retrievals From High Resolution Satellite Imagery

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

extraterrestrial solar intensity can be as high as 0.5 in clean atmospheres but can drop to 0.2-0.3 in polluted areas, indicating that ground-level solar... intelligence . Also, lack of temporal resolution can specifically affect time sensitive operations. These early methods and limitations will be...This study showed that panchromatic imagery proved to be quite consistent. Other platforms such as UAVs or other intelligence gathering means

Development Status of Adjustable X-ray Optics with 0.5 Arcsec Imaging for the X-ray Surveyor Mission Concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reid, Paul B.; Allured, Ryan; ben-Ami, Sagi; Cotroneo, Vincenzo; Schwartz, Daniel A.; Tananbaum, Harvey; Vikhlinin, Alexey; Trolier-McKinstry, Susan; Wallace, Margeaux L.; Jackson, Tom

2016-04-01

The X-ray Surveyor mission concept is designed as a successor to the Chandra X-ray Observatory. As currently envisioned, it will have as much as 30-50 times the collecting area of Chandra with the same 0.5 arcsec imaging resolution. This combination of telescope area and imaging resolution, along with a detector suite for imaging and dispersive and non-dispersive imaging spectroscopy, will enable a wide range of astrophysical observations. These observations will include studies of the growth of large scale structure, early black holes and the growth of SMBHs, and high resolution spectroscopy with arcsec resolution, among many others. We describe the development of adjustable grazing incidence X-ray optics, a potential technology for the high resolution, thin, lightweight mirrors. We discuss recent advancements including the demonstration of deterministic figure correction via the use of the adjusters, the successful demonstration of integrating control electronics directly on the actuator cells to enable row-column addressing, and discuss the feasibility of on-orbit piezoelectric performance and figure monitoring via integrated semiconductor strain gauges. We also present the telescope point design and progress in determining the telescope thermal sensitivities and achieving alignment and mounting requirements.

Indices for estimating fractional snow cover in the western Tibetan Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shreve, Cheney M.; Okin, Gregory S.; Painter, Thomas H.

Snow cover in the Tibetan Plateau is highly variable in space and time and plays a key role in ecological processes of this cold-desert ecosystem. Resolution of passive microwave data is too low for regional-scale estimates of snow cover on the Tibetan Plateau, requiring an alternate data source. Optically derived snow indices allow for more accurate quantification of snow cover using higher-resolution datasets subject to the constraint of cloud cover. This paper introduces a new optical snow index and assesses four optically derived MODIS snow indices using Landsat-based validation scenes: MODIS Snow-Covered Area and Grain Size (MODSCAG), Relative Multiple Endmember Spectral Mixture Analysis (RMESMA), Relative Spectral Mixture Analysis (RSMA) and the normalized-difference snow index (NDSI). Pearson correlation coefficients were positively correlated with the validation datasets for all four optical snow indices, suggesting each provides a good measure of total snow extent. At the 95% confidence level, linear least-squares regression showed that MODSCAG and RMESMA had accuracy comparable to validation scenes. Fusion of optical snow indices with passive microwave products, which provide snow depth and snow water equivalent, has the potential to contribute to hydrologic and energy-balance modeling in the Tibetan Plateau.

Time-gated ballistic imaging using a large aperture switching beam.

PubMed

Mathieu, Florian; Reddemann, Manuel A; Palmer, Johannes; Kneer, Reinhold

2014-03-24

Ballistic imaging commonly denotes the formation of line-of-sight shadowgraphs through turbid media by suppression of multiply scattered photons. The technique relies on a femtosecond laser acting as light source for the images and as switch for an optical Kerr gate that separates ballistic photons from multiply scattered ones. The achievable image resolution is one major limitation for the investigation of small objects. In this study, practical influences on the optical Kerr gate and image quality are discussed theoretically and experimentally applying a switching beam with large aperture (D = 19 mm). It is shown how switching pulse energy and synchronization of switching and imaging pulse in the Kerr cell influence the gate's transmission. Image quality of ballistic imaging and standard shadowgraphy is evaluated and compared, showing that the present ballistic imaging setup is advantageous for optical densities in the range of 8 < OD < 13. Owing to the spatial transmission characteristics of the optical Kerr gate, a rectangular aperture stop is formed, which leads to different resolution limits for vertical and horizontal structures in the object. Furthermore, it is reported how to convert the ballistic imaging setup into a schlieren-type system with an optical schlieren edge.

Optical coherence tomography in differential diagnosis of skin pathology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gladkova, Natalia D.; Petrova, Galina P.; Derpaluk, Elena; Nikulin, Nikolai K.; Snopova, Ludmila; Chumakov, Yuri; Feldchtein, Felix I.; Gelikonov, Valentin M.; Gelikonov, Grigory V.; Kuranov, Roman V.

2000-05-01

The capabilities of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for imaging in vivo of optical patterns of pathomorphological processes in the skin and use of their optical patterns in clinical practice for differential diagnosis of dermatoses are presented. Images of skin tissue 0.8 - 1.5 mm deep were acquired with a resolution of 5, 12 and 20 micrometer using three compact fiber OCT devices developed at the Institute of Applied Physics RAS. The acquisition time of images of skin regions 2 - 6 mm in length was 2 - 4 s. The OCT capabilities were analyzed based on the study of 50 patients with different dermatoses. OCT images were interpreted by comparing with parallel histology. It is shown that OCT can detect in vivo optical patterns of morphological alterations in such general papulous dermatoses as lichen ruber planus and psoriasis, a capability that can be used in differential diagnosis of these diseases. Most informative are OCT images obtained with a resolution of 5 micrometer. The results of our study demonstrate the practical importance of OCT imaging for diagnosis of different dermatoses. OCT is noninvasive and, therefore, makes it possible to perform frequent multifocal examination of skin without any adverse effects.