Transillumination Laser Computed Tomography System with Fiber-Optic-Based Coherent Detection Imaging Method - High Spatial-Resolution and Quantitative Tomographic Imaging of Highly Scattering Objects -

We recently proposed and developed a novel transillumination laser computed tomography (CT) imaging system using a fiber-optic method based on coherent detection imaging (CDI) for biomedical use. Use of optical fibers enables portability and robustness against environmental changes in a room, such as variable temperature, air-flow shifts, and unexpected vibrations. In addition, motion-artifact-free images can be obtained because measurements can be performed with the object fixed. In the present paper, we experimentally investigate in detail the fundamental imaging properties of the system, which has a spatial resolution of 500 μm, a dynamic range of approximately 120 dB, and a minimum-detectable-optical power of 10⁻¹⁴W as a result of the excellent properties of the heterodyne detection. Based on experimental observations, the proposed system can reconstruct tomographic images of highly scattering objects in the transillumination mode, similar to X-ray CT, at sub-millimeter spatial resolution and with quantitativeness. Finally, we demonstrate with experiments using a physical phantom that the imaging system possesses high resolution and quantitative imaging abilities for highly scattering objects.     

上海光源硬X射线相干衍射成像实验方法初探

相干X射线衍射成像方法是一种先进的成像技术,分辨率可达纳米量级.国际上大多数的同步辐射装置和自由电子激光装置都建立了该成像方法,并有将其作为主要成像技术的趋势.上海光源作为目前国内唯一的一台第三代同步辐射光源,尚未建立基于硬X射线的相干衍射成像实验平台.随着一批以波荡器为光源的光束线站投入使用,使得该方法的建立成为了可能.本文基于上海光源BL19U2生物小角散射线站,通过有效的光路设计,搭建了相干衍射实验平台,在12 keV和13.5 keV能量点均获得了硬X射线相干光束,并基于小孔衍射测量了入射光束的空间相干长度.该平台支持常规和扫描相干衍射实验模式,对小孔衍射图样及波带片扫描衍射图样实现了正确的相位重建,证明了该平台初步具备开展硬X射线相干衍射成像实验的能力.硬X射线相干衍射成像实验平台为国内首次建立,将为国内该实验方法的发展和应用提供有效的软硬件支持.     

Extraction of Quasi-Straightforward-Propagating Photons Through a Scattering Medium by Up-Conversion Method as a Coherent Light Detection Technique

Aiming at the realization of optical CT (computed tomography), the extraction of quasi-straightforward-propagating photons from optical pulses transmitting through a standard scattering medium of Intralipid-10% aqueous solution has been demonstrated by an up-conversion method (second harmonic generation). We have found that this operates as a coherent light detection method rather than a time-gate one and extends the dynamic range where the Lambert-Beer’s law holds to − 86 dB. We have also proposed improvements to obtain the largest possible dynamic range by such an up-conversion technique.     

Low‐noise,vibrational phase‐sensitive chemical imaging by balanced detection RIKE

We perform a back‐to‐back comparison between two nonlinear vibrational imaging techniques: stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and balanced detection Raman‐induced Kerr effect (BD‐RIKE). Using a compact fiber‐based laser system for generation of pump and Stokes signals, we image polymer beads as well as human hepatocytes under the same experimental conditions. We show that BD‐RIKE, despite the slightly lower signal levels, consistently offers an improved signal‐to‐noise ratio with respect to SRS, resulting in significantly higher image quality. Importantly, we observe that such quality is not affected by the static birefringence of the sample, which makes BD‐RIKE a robust and attractive alternative to SRS. We also highlight a unique advantage of the technique, which is its capability to easily access both the real and imaginary parts of the nonlinear susceptibility, thus allowing for vibrational phase imaging. The phase information can be readily obtained from BD‐RIKE with minimal experimental effort and provides an additional chemical selectivity channel for coherent Raman microscopy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

同步辐射硬X射线衍射增强峰位成像CT研究

对于主要由轻元素组成的生物、医学样品,利用衍射增强成像技术可以观察到常规吸收成像无法观察到的内部微观结构,因而衍射增强成像具有较高的衬度和空间分辨率.选用苍蝇作为实验样品,在北京同步辐射装置上首次开展了衍射增强峰位成像CT实验.重建出的样品断层像显示其分辨率达到了几十μm水平.对于将衍射增强成像技术应用于生物和医学等领域具有重要意义.     

飞秒互相关时间选通技术用于光学层析成像的实验研究

利用飞秒互相关二次谐波信号时间选通技术。实现了对埋藏在高度散射介质中物体的透射成像和反射以析成像。互相关选通门有效地选出携带物体信息的弹道光子和蛇行光子，排除了给成像带来背景噪声的温射光子，分别获得了散射介质中物体的二次谐波一维和二维图像。     

Two-dimensional coherent detection imaging in multiple scattering media based on the directional resolution capability of the optical heterodyne method

This paper describes a new application of optical heterodyne detection using a laser beam for two-dimensional imaging of the internal structure of strongly scattering media in which the structure is completely obstructed from normal visual observation. The directional resolution capability for image formation due to the excellent antenna properties of the heterodyne technique is verified experimentally using a ground glass to cause strong scattering of the signal beam. Successful image detection of a test target placed in a highly scattering absorptive medium, with spatial resolution better than 400 m in the case of our experiments, demonstrates that this Coherent Detection Imaging (CDI) method can overcome the diffuse nature of images in media such as those of biomedical interest and others to achieve scanning and tomographic imaging.     

Enhancing convolutional neural network scheme for rheumatoid arthritis grading with limited clinical data

The gray-scale ultrasound(US) imaging method is usually used to assess synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) in clinical practice. This four-grade scoring system depends highly on the sonographer's experience and has relatively lower validity compared with quantitative indexes. However, the training of a qualified sonographer is expensive and timeconsuming while few studies focused on automatic RA grading methods. The purpose of this study is to propose an automatic RA grading method using deep convolutional neural networks(DCNN) to assist clinical assessment. Gray-scale ultrasound images of finger joints are taken as inputs while the output is the corresponding RA grading results. Firstly,we performed the auto-localization of synovium in the RA image and obtained a high precision in localization. In order to make up for the lack of a large annotated training dataset, we performed data augmentation to increase the number of training samples. Motivated by the approach of transfer learning, we pre-trained the GoogLeNet on ImageNet as a feature extractor and then fine-tuned it on our own dataset. The detection results showed an average precision exceeding 90%. In the experiment of grading RA severity, the four-grade classification accuracy exceeded 90% while the binary classification accuracies exceeded 95%. The results demonstrate that our proposed method achieves performances comparable to RA experts in multi-class classification. The promising results of our proposed DCNN-based RA grading method can have the ability to provide an objective and accurate reference to assist RA diagnosis and the training of sonographers.     

Signal-to-noise analysis for propagation of laser radiation through a tissue-like medium by diffuse photon-density waves

Biomedical optical imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) region provides the possibility to detect and determine pathological and functional changes in human tissue without the drawback of ionizing radiation. Of special promise is the application of this technology for the detection of joint diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It has been shown that optical changes in the synovial fluid and the vasculature surrounding the joints can be detected with optical methods. Applying optical tomographic methods one should be able to localize and quantify these changes for detection of the onset of RA. The first studies have been limited to continuous wave imaging. However, it is well known that enhanced resolution and better separation between absorption and scattering properties of tissue can be achieved using intensity modulated light sources. Intensity modulation of laser light in the MHz region leads to propagation of so-called diffuse photon density waves (PDW) through the tissue In this study we report on basic experimental results to determine performance and sensitivity of PDW-transillumination of tissue like phantoms. We used a vector network analyzer to generate and analyze intensity modulation from 100 MHz up to 1 GHz via a diode laser and an avalanche photo diode. Scans were performed across phantoms containing a layer with different absorbing and scattering properties bounded by an edge. The thickness of the phantoms was chosen similar to human fingers to gain information for optimization of tomographic imaging of finger joints. We experimentally determined the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the system and compared the results to theoretical predictions. Noise and SNR of amplitude and phase depend on frequency of modulation. While the amplitude SNR decreases with frequency, phase SNR increases to assume a maximum value. We found that the inserted layer can be better characterized using phase information, which becomes more valuable as the source modulation frequency is increased. On the other hand, the sensitivity to perturbations is highest in the amplitude data obtained at lower frequencies. Thus, for tomographic imaging, optimal modulation frequencies should be found depending on the tissue type and nature of tissue inhomogeneities.     

Experiments of ocean surface waves and underwater target detection imaging using a slit Streak Tube Imaging Lidar

This letter describes a flash Lidar imaging technique that uses a streak tube camera as a receiver to detect short scale surface wave fields for oceanographic, underwater target and coastal measurements. The range and intensity imaging of short scale sea-waves and underwater targets can be supplied by this system through light reflected from the surface of the sea and targets. Through a surface scattering model, more accurate range and intensity information can be extracted. The technique can be applied to surface wave measurements and underwater target detection with high resolution. The feasibility of this technique is demonstrated by applying the technique to data acquired by shipborne Streak Tube Imaging Lidar (STIL) in the Yellow Sea and also the East and South China Seas.     

基于地面多光谱成像技术的茄子灰霉病无损检测研究

实时、便捷、可靠的作物病害诊断方法是进行科学的作物喷药管理的基础,也是精细农作的关键技术之一。根据感染灰霉病菌的茄子叶片的光谱反射特征和相应的特征波段的图像信息,利用基于地面的包含绿、红、近红外三波段灰度图的多光谱成像技术对染病茄子叶片进行病斑的无损检测。目的是建立能准确反映植物病害状况的检测模型,实时过滤掉土壤噪声、气候条件等环境干扰,实现对植物健康状况进行快速、准确、非破坏性检测。结果显示,利用绿、红和近红外三通道图像信息算法模型,能够在有干燥的土壤和枯叶等干扰下对灰霉病斑进行较好的识别,为植物生产中病害的在线无损检测提供了新的方法。     

Single-molecule detection of biomolecules by surface-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering

We report on the applicability of combining surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering for high-sensitivity detection of biological molecules. We found that this combination of techniques provides more than 3 orders of signal enhancement compared with SERS and permits monitoring of biological molecules such as deoxyguanosine monophosphate (dGMP) and deoxyadenosine monophosphate at the single-molecule level. This combined technique also improved detection sensitivity for angiotensin peptide. As this is believed to be the first report of detection of dGMP at the single-molecule level, we suggest that this approach can serve as a new tool for biological studies.     

基于Top-hat变换的OSAHS图像边缘检测算法

提出了一种基于多方向、多尺度Top-hat变换的图像边缘检测方法,应用于阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合症(Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome, OSAHS)早期病理图像的边缘检测及诊断。首先,构造不同方向、不同尺度的Top-hat算子增强图像的对比度,利用形态学梯度进行边缘检测,然后把各个算子检测到的图像边缘按照一定的权重进行组合,得到理想的边缘,以便准确地获得病理图像的相关参数,进而实现医学电子诊断。本文以口腔图像、咽喉声带处图像、鼻道内部图像的处理为例,这三组图像的处理结果表明,与传统的边缘算子相比较,该方法能使图像的边缘信息更完整、更准确,图像的边缘闭合度可达到97.67%。     

相干瑞利散射海水水下温度测量技术的理论研究

海水水下温度的快速大范围测量是海洋监测的重要内容,在民用和军事领域都有着至关重要的意义,本文提出了采用相干瑞利散射方法测量海水水下温度的新方法:用宽带高速光电探测器接收本振激光和海水后向瑞利散射光相干产生的差频信号,进行傅里叶变换分析获取海水瑞利散射展宽谱,从而反演海水温度,首先从海水的热力学特性出发,对利用瑞利散射谱测量海水水下温度的基本原理进行了理论研究和软件模拟;然后对采用相干探测测量海水瑞利散射谱的测量方法进行了理论分析和软件模拟;在此基础上对瑞利散射海水水下温度测量精度进行了分析,得出当水体瑞利散射频谱半宽度测量精度为1 MHz时,测温精度约为0.35 K。     

调相光栅的正交相干相位检测

本文提出了一种解调调相光栅相位的新方法.将一幅相位调制光栅图输入计算机,通过正交相干相位解调算法处理,能够高精度、快速地获得光栅的相位分布.本文详细论述了正交相干相位解调原理,并给出实验系统和处理结果,最后与其他类似的相位解调方法进行了比较.     

Imaging Towards Optical Coherent Tomography through Highly Scattering Medium by Using Femtosecond SHG Cross-correlation Time-gating

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1.55 μm相干激光测风雷达平衡式探测接收实验

研究了用于相干激光测风雷达信号接收的平衡式探测接收技术.推导出了平衡式相干探测过程的数学模型和信噪比表达式,并通过仿真软件对该模型进行了模拟仿真.在同等输入条件下,当平衡式相干探测系统的最佳分束比范围在[0.293,0.707]时,其信噪比比普通相干探测的信噪比高.此外,平衡式探测接收还具有判断风向的功能,最后通过实验验证了仿真结果.     

中心挡板对扫描相干X射线衍射成像的影响

本文采用重叠关联迭代引擎算法, 系统地模拟研究了扫描相干衍射成像中中心挡板导致的低频信号丢失对重建图像质量的影响. 结果表明, 扫描相干衍射成像对中心挡板的承受能力远大于平面波单次相干衍射成像, 且选择小尺寸入射探针和较高重叠度(≥ 70%)可进一步降低中心丢失信号对扫描相干衍射成像的负面影响. 另外, 光斑扫描位置误差在重叠度较高时将超过中心挡板成为扫描相干衍射成像最主要的负面影响因素. 本文研究结果对扫描相干衍射成像实验中如何应用中心挡光板具有重要的指导意义, 将有助于进一步提高扫描相干衍射成像的分辨率. 关键词： 扫描相干衍射成像 位相恢复算法 低频丢失信号     

电光调制在被动综合孔径成像探测中的应用

介绍了一种新型被动综合孔径成像探测方法:视场辐射信号被接收和放大后,通过电光幅度调制将其幅度和相位信息加载到光波上,经光纤传输在末端形成阵列,通过光学系统直接成像,将视场实时恢复出来.该方法可实现工作在微波、毫米波和太赫兹波段的高分辨力实时成像探测的目的.深入分析了电光调制器在综合孔径成像探测中的应用,建立电光调制模型,讨论了在小信号调制下的电光幅度调制近似理论.通过数值计算与仿真分析,得到综合孔径成像探测中电光调制器的调制信号强度限制的有关结论.结果表明,利用上变频电光调制技术和光信息处理,所得到的成像仿真图的半峰全宽和信噪比性能都优于传统的基于下变频技术的成像仿真结果.     

Differential two-signal picosecond-pulse coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering imaging microscopy by using a dual-mode optical parametric oscillator

We propose and demonstrate a novel differential two-signal technique of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging microscopy using a picosecond (ps) optical parametric oscillator (OPO). By adjusting a Lyot filter inside the cavity, we operated the OPO oscillating in two stable modes separated by a few nanometers. The CARS images generated by the two modes are separated by a spectrograph behind the microscope setup, and their differential image is directly obtained by balanced lock-in detection. The feasibility of the technique is experimentally verified by imaging micrometer-sized polystyrene beads immersed in water.