Noncontact optical tomography of turbid media

Optical tomography of turbid media has so far been limited by systems that require fixed geometries or measurements employing fibers. We present a system that records noncontact optical measurements from diffuse media of arbitrary shapes and retrieves the three-dimensional surface information of the diffuse medium. We further present a novel method of combining this composite data set and obtain accurate fluorescence reconstructions. This approach offers significant experimental simplicity and yields high-information-content datasets. The performance of this novel tomographic approach is demonstrated with experimental reconstructions of phantoms.     

Laser optical feedback tomography

We describe a new method for imaging in three-dimensional turbid media, laser optical feedback tomography. This technique is based on the resonant sensitivity of a short-cavity laser to frequency-shifted optical feedback from ballistic photons retrodiffused from the medium. The advantage of the method is that the detector is the laser source itself, which provides optical amplification with self-aligned spatial and temporal coherent detection.     

基于二维多模干涉效应的N×N光开关模型

报道了由两个N×N三维多模干涉耦合器和一段阵列相移波导组成的三维光开关.首先利用导模传输法分析了三维多模干涉耦合器的一般成像原理,并推导出了其成像位置以及相位矩阵.在此基础上,通过场传输矩阵法建立了光开关的传输方程.利用该传输方程计算得到了光开关工作时,阵列相移波导的相位条件,并通过三维有限差分光束传输法进行仿真验证,给出了光开关工作时的插损、串扰指标,以及光开关输出功率随相移波导相位变化的关系.     

Free-space fluorescence molecular tomography utilizing 360 degrees geometry projections

Fluorescence tomography of diffuse media can yield optimal three-dimensional imaging when multiple projections over 360 degrees geometries are captured, compared with limited projection angle systems such as implementations in the slab geometry. We demonstrate how it is possible to perform noncontact, 360 degrees projection fluorescence tomography of mice using CCD-camera-based detection in free space, i.e., in the absence of matching fluids. This approach achieves high spatial sampling of photons propagating through tissue and yields a superior information content data set compared with fiber-based 360 degrees implementations. Reconstruction feasibility using 36 projections in 10 degrees steps is demonstrated in mice.     

Voxel classification methodology for rapid Monte Carlo simulation of light propagation in complex media

Monte Carlo (MC) method is a statistical method for simulating photon propagation in media in the optical molecular imaging field.However,obtaining an accurate result using the method is quite time-consuming,especially because the boundary of the media is complex.A voxel classification method is proposed to reduce the computation cost.All the voxels generated by dividing the media are classified into three types (outside,boundary,and inside) according to the position of the voxel.The classified information is used to determine the relative position of the photon and the intersection between photon path and media boundary in the MC method.The influencing factors and effectiveness of the proposed method are analyzed and validated by simulation experiments.     

Round-trip imaging through scattering media based on optical transmission matrix

Traditional one-way imaging methods become invalid when a target object is completely hidden behind scattering media. In this case, it has been much more challenging, since the light wave is distorted twice.To solve this problem, we propose an imaging method, so-called round-trip imaging, based on the optical transmission matrix of the scattering medium. We show that the object can be recovered directly from the distorted output wave, where no scanning is required during the imaging process. We predict that this method might improve the imaging speed and have potential application for real-time imaging.     

Imaging through a scattering medium with an interferential spectrometer by selection of an amplitude modulation correlator

Low-coherence interferometric systems provide three-dimensional imaging through scattering media by measurement of the object's temporal response. An optical correlator is presented that allows direct recording of the signal issued from the object under reflection. The filtering technique enhances the image visibility and allows one to obtain an image with a good signal-to-noise ratio. The performance of two particular imaging systems, point-to-point and vertical-slice imaging, is discussed with an object comprising two cover plates that are attached.     

Optimization of optode arrangements for diffuse optical tomography: A singular-value analysis

We develope a method to optimize the resolution of diffuse optical tomographic instruments. Singular-value analysis of the tomographic weight matrix associated with specific data types, geometries, and optode arrangements is shown to provide a measure of image resolution. We achieve optimization of device configuration by monitoring the resolution measure described. We introduce this idea and demonstrate its utility by optimizing the spatial sampling interval and field-of-view parameters in the parallel-plane transmission geometry employed for diffuse optical breast imaging. We also compare resolution in transmission and remission geometries.     

Application of the modified differential approximation for radiative transfer to arbitrary geometry

The first-order spherical harmonics method (or P₁ approximation) has found prolific usage for approximate solution of the radiative transfer equation (RTE) in participating media. However, the accuracy of the P₁ approximation deteriorates as the optical thickness of the medium is decreased. The modified differential approximation (MDA) was originally proposed to remove the shortcomings of the P₁ approximation in optically thin situations. This article presents algorithms to apply the MDA to arbitrary geometry—in particular, geometry with obstructions, and inhomogeneous media. The wall-emitted component of the intensity was computed using a combined view-factor and ray-tracing approach. The Helmholtz equation, arising out of the medium-emitted component, was solved using an unstructured finite-volume procedure. The general procedure was validated for both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) geometries against benchmark Monte Carlo results. The accuracy of MDA was found to be superior to the P₁ approximation for all optical thicknesses. Its accuracy, when compared with the discrete ordinates method (both S₆ and S₈), was found to be clearly superior in optically thin situations, but problem dependent in optically intermediate and thick situations. For 3D geometries, calculation and storage of the view-factor matrix was found to be a major shortcoming of the MDA. In addition, for inhomogeneous media, calculation of optical distances requires a ray-tracing procedure, which was found to be a bottleneck from a computational efficiency standpoint. Several strategies to reduce both memory and computational time are discussed and demonstrated.     

Photon propagation in heterogeneous optical media with spatial correlations: enhanced mean-free-paths and wider-than-exponential free-path distributions

Beer's law of exponential decay in direct transmission is well-known but its break-down in spatially variable optical media has been discussed only sporadically in the literature. We document here this break-down in three-dimensional (3D) media with complete generality and explore its ramifications for photon propagation. We show that effective transmission laws and their associated free-path distributions (FPDs) are in fact never exactly exponential in variable media of any kind. Moreover, if spatial correlations in the extinction field extend at least to the scale of the mean-free-path (MFP), FPDs are necessarily wider-than-exponential in the sense that all higher-order moments of the relevant mean-field FPDs exceed those of the exponential FPD, even if it is tuned to yield the proper MFP. The MFP itself is always larger than the inverse of average extinction in a variable medium. In a vast and important class of spatially-correlated random media, the MFP is indeed the average of the inverse of extinction. We translate these theoretical findings into a practical method for deciding a priori when 3D effects become important. Finally, we discuss an obvious but limited analogy between our analysis of spatial variability and the well-known effects of strong spectral variability in gaseous media when observed or modeled at moderate resolution.     

Designing three-dimensional transformation optical media using quasiconformal coordinate transformations

We introduce an approach to the design of three-dimensional transformation optical (TO) media based on a generalized quasiconformal mapping approach. The generalized quasiconformal TO (QCTO) approach enables the design of media that can, in principle, be broadband and low loss, while controlling the propagation of waves with arbitrary angles of incidence and polarization. We illustrate the method in the design of a three-dimensional carpet ground plane cloak and of a flattened Luneburg lens. Ray-trace studies provide a confirmation of the performance of the QCTO media, while also revealing the limited performance of index-only versions of these devices.     

One-dimensional iterative algorithm for three-dimensional point-spread function engineering

We present a new method with which to binarize pupil filters designed to control the three-dimensional irradiance distribution in the focal volume of an optical system. The method is based on a one-dimensional iterative algorithm, which results in efficient use of computation time and in simple, easy to fabricate binary filters. An acceptable degree of resemblance between the point-spread function of the annular binary filter and that of its gray-tone counterpart is obtained.     

基于蒙特卡罗模拟的散射介质中后向光散射模型及分析应用

构建了内光源模型探讨散射介质中的光散射现象,利用蒙特卡罗方法研究了逃逸出组织的后向散射光子数随光子在组织内部发生的散射次数的分布关系,探讨了光源照明方式、辐射强度、接收方式、调制等参数的变化对后向散射的影响,结果表明后向散射光子的数量随散射次数的分布并非简单的单调递增或递减,而是一条先增大后减小出现峰值的曲线. 峰值位置、峰值大小及曲线形状与光源、探测方式、组织光学特性参数等有关. 关键词： 医用光学与生物技术 散射介质 后向散射 蒙特卡罗模拟     

Spatial solitons in Kerr and Kerr-like media

This is a review paper of basic knowledge and recent advances in the area of spatial solitons in Kerr and Kerr-like media. We consider spatial bright and dark solitons, solitons in waveguide geometries, optical bullets, vortex solitons and, briefly, dissipative cases. In our treatment, we use a Hamiltonian approach when considering stability issues.     

Coherent shear phonon generation and detection with ultrashort optical pulses

Using an optical technique we generate and detect picosecond shear and quasishear coherent acoustic phonon pulses in the time domain. Thermoelastic and piezoelectric generation are directly achieved by breaking the sample lateral symmetry using crystalline anisotropy. We demonstrate efficient detection in isotropic and anisotropic media with various optical incidence geometries.     

Incorporation of surface effects in three-dimensional modelling of complex photo-detector arrays by spot-scan simulation

The diffusion limited leakage current densities of individual photodiodes in three-dimensional focal plane arrays are calculated using a random walk simulation of a spot-scan experiment. We have derived a relationship between the surface recombination velocity and the capture probability at a surface, enabling complex geometries with surfaces of arbitrary surface recombination velocity to be modelled. Due to a unique relationship between the leakage current density and the collection efficiency of carriers generated close to a junction, even in non-uniform material, there is no necessity to sample the effects of carrier generation at all points throughout the array, giving great savings in computation time. An example of the method applied to an array on a hexagonal net is given.     

Three-dimensional integral imaging with large depth of focus by use of real and virtual image fields

We present an integral imaging method to enhance the depth of a three-dimensional image by displaying it throughout real and virtual image fields. When the product of depth and resolution square of the displayed three-dimensional image is used as a figure of merit in integral imaging systems, our method can maximize this merit especially when three-dimensional images with large depth of focus are displayed. The feasibility of our method is experimentally demonstrated by generation of elemental images by a computer.     

A Method for Calculating the Ray Paths in Optical Systems Composed of Axially Symmetric Reflecting and Refracting Surfaces

A method for calculating the ray paths in optical systems composed of axially symmetric reflecting and refracting surfaces is outlined. It is assumed that there is no common symmetry axis in the system, so that the ray paths are substantially three-dimensional. For the sake of generality, both the simplest cases admitting of an analytic solution and the more intricate cases when iterative procedure has to be used are considered. Particular attention is given to the computation features which make the algorithm both universal and robust. The method proposed allows for the use of a wide range (five types of the surfaces specified) of optical elements. Furthermore, the approach suggested is universal and, as such, makes it possible also to pass on with relative ease to other cases of specifying the surfaces.     

Analysis of an immersed boundary method for three-dimensional flows in vorticity formulation

This article presents numerical analysis and practical considerations for three-dimensional flow computation using an implicit immersed boundary method. The Euler equations, or half a step of the Navier–Stokes equations when using fractional step algorithms, are investigated in their vorticity formulation. The context of flow computation around an arbitrarily shaped body is especially investigated.In conventional immersed boundary methods using vorticity, singular vortex are dispatched over the body surface. In the present study, one prefers using sources of potential velocity field, dispatched on the body, whose nature is not vorticity. Such a formulation is compatible to the Euler equations. In practice, these sources of potential flow produce a velocity through this surface, aiming in practice at cancelling a flow-through velocity.This article focuses on the use of the source-to-flow-through linear application, its properties being the key points for fast convergence. Its self-adjointness, or lack thereof, conditioning and preconditioning aspects are investigated. It follows that computing a velocity field with no-flow-through conditions in complex geometry, when using the source-to-flow-through linear application, can be achieved for 4/3 of the computational cost of standard Poisson equation in a Cartesian box.The robustness of immersed boundaries is especially interesting when used together with vortex-in-cell methods, well known for their robustness in time and their ability to compute accurately convective effects. A few examples, based on real-world geometries, illustrate the method capabilities.     

Three-dimensional integral imaging with improved visualization using subpixel optical ray sensing

In this Letter, we propose an improved three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction method for integral imaging. We use subpixel sensing of the optical rays of the 3D scene projected onto the image sensor. When reconstructing the 3D image, we use a calculated minimum subpixel distance for each sensor pixel instead of the average pixel value of integrated pixels from elemental images. The minimum subpixel distance is defined by measuring the distance between the center of the sensor pixel and the physical position of the imaging lens point spread function onto the sensor, which is projected from each reconstruction point for all elemental images. To show the usefulness of the proposed method, preliminary 3D imaging experiments are presented. Experimental results reveal that the proposed method may improve 3D imaging visualization because of the superior sensing and reconstruction of optical ray direction and intensity information for 3D objects.