Sample motion-insensitive, full-range, complex, spectral-domain optical-coherence tomography

We present a full-range, complex, spectral-domain optical-coherence-tomography (SD-OCT) system that is based on a double-beam scanning approach. The sample beams of two identical SD-OCT setups are combined collinearly by a bulk optic beam splitter before illuminating the object. The required phase shift for the complex signal reconstruction comes from the phase difference between both interferometers. Because of the double-beam scanning approach, our system is completely insensitive to sample motion. To demonstrate the performance of our setup, we present images of the human optic nerve head in vivo and of a human tooth.     

Fourier transforms method for measuring thermal lens induced in diluted liquid samples

Drawing on interferometry and Fourier analysis, this paper describes the use of a two-beam thermal lens technique for measuring thermo-optical properties in optical materials. The procedure consists of yield interference patterns deformed by a localized photothermal effect. The photothermal phase shift is locally induced by the pump beam focused on a tested sample located on an on-axis probe beam, which is the first arm of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The plane where the effect is localized is imaged onto a CCD camera. Then two interferograms are recorded: one without effect and the other one with the induced photothermal phase. Fourier analysis performed on these interferograms allow us to plot the thermal lens map and, therefore, to estimate thermo-optic constant of Malachite Green in water solution. The method is applied to measure low linear absorptions of a diluted sample of Rhodamine B in water solution at 633 nm, showing that the proposed technique allows to measure photothermal phase shift as low as 3.1 mrad at 8 mW of input power in diluted materials.     

Profile measurement of a one-dimensional phase boundary sample using a single shot phase-step method

Phase shifting interferometry is a preferred technique for high-resolution phase profile measurement, but the difficulty in generating the requested shifted pattern has limited the use of the technique to low-noise environment and in case accurate calibration of the phase shifting device is available. In the present experiment, a sample having one-dimensional straight phase boundary is mounted in one arm of an interferometer. One single image of the fringe pattern is recorded, a simple image process is applied generating phase shifted patterns from the original image. Using the appropriate phase shift algorithms, a phase map of the sample is obtained which gives a quantitative measurement of the topographical structure with the resolution of the phase shift method but a single shot recorded pattern.     

How to measure energy dissipation in dynamic mode atomic force microscopy

When studying a mechanical system like an atomic force microscope (AFM) in dynamic mode it is intuitive and instructive to analyse the forces involved in tip–sample interaction. A different but complementary approach is based on analysing the energy that is dissipated when the tip periodically interacts with the sample surface. This method does not require solving the differential equation of motion for the oscillating cantilever, but is based entirely on the analysis of the energy flow in and out of the dynamic system. Therefore the problem of finding a realistic model to describe the tip–sample interaction in terms of non-linear force–distance dependencies and damping effects is omitted. Instead, it is possible to determine the energy dissipated by the tip–sample interaction directly by measuring such quantities as oscillation amplitude, frequency, phase shift and drive amplitude. The method proved to be important when interpreting phase data obtained in tapping mode, but is also applicable to a variety of scanning probe microscopes operating in different dynamic modes. Additional electronics were designed to allow a direct mapping of local energy dissipation while scanning a sample surface. By applying this technique to the cross-section of a polymer blend a material specific contrast was observed.     

Doppler-based lateral motion tracking for optical coherence tomography

Nonuniform lateral scanning of the probe beam in optical coherence tomography produces imaging artifacts and leads to a morphologically inaccurate representation of the sample. Here, we demonstrate a solution to this problem, which is based on the Doppler shift carried by the complex-valued depth-resolved scattering amplitude. Furthermore, we demonstrate the feasibility of Doppler flow velocity measurements in underlying flow channels while laterally scanning the imaging probe over large surfaces with arbitrary and varying velocity. Finally, we performed centimeters-long hand-held B-mode imaging of skin in vivo.     

Real-time phase-resolved functional optical coherence tomography by use of optical Hilbert transformation

We have developed a novel real-time phase-resolved functional optical coherence tomography system that uses optical Hilbert transformation. When we use a resonant scanner in the reference arm of the interferometer, with an axial scanning speed of 4 kHz, the frame rate of both structural and Doppler blood-flow imaging with a size of 100 by 100 pixels is 10 Hz. The system has high sensitivity and a larger dynamic range for measuring the Doppler frequency shift that is due to moving red blood cells. Real-time images of in vivo blood flow in human skin obtained with this interferometer are presented.     

Single-shot spectral interferometry with chirped pulses

We present a method for obtaining time-resolved measurements of the amplitude modulation and the phase shift of a chirped probe pulse interacting with a femtosecond-laser-produced plasma. Based on spectral interferometry, the technique allows for single-shot measurements and keeps the temporal resolution associated with the full bandwidth of the probe pulse. We demonstrate the efficiency of this technique by probing femtosecond-laser breakdown of plastic targets.     

Imaging subcellular features of a sectioned rat brain using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and scanning probe microscopy

Coronal sections of unfixed rat brain samples were prepared on a flat substrate in order to reveal hippocampal formation (CA1-4 pyramidal neurons) and adjacent neocortical white matter. We demonstrate the feasibility of using surface sensitive techniques such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and scanning probe microscopy (SPM) to probe lipid distribution, as well as the subcellular features of neurons. In the same anatomical areas, the phase shift image in SPM is especially useful in revealing the cross-section of subcellular structures. We show that the phase shift images reveal distinctive subcellular features and ion images of CN⁻ and PO₂⁻ fragments from ToF-SIMS appear to define some of the subcellular features.     

剪切力模式近场扫描光学显微镜的恒幅反馈控制方法研究

剪切力模式近场扫描光学显微镜(Near-field Scanning Optical Microscopy,NSOM) 的音叉探针间距控制系统中,用相位反馈控制和检测剪切力,同时采用比例＋积分（PI）技术实现对音叉探针振幅的反馈控制,使探针振幅在扫描过程中保持为恒定值.用相位信号作为探针与样品间距控制信号,分别在无振幅反馈和有振幅反馈两种情况下,以不同速率扫描得到标准CD_RW光盘光栅的两组图像,并进行了比较分析.实验表明,恒振幅反馈电路的引入有助于提高探针系统的响应速度和灵敏度,改善所得图像的质量及分辨率.     

Trimodal imaging system capable of quantitative phase imaging without 2 pi ambiguities

A neoteric approach to interferometric phase imaging unencumbered by 2 pi phase ambiguities is presented. This technique utilizes an actively controlled angular displacement glass plate positioned in the reference arm of an environmentally stabilized pseudoheterodyne Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The plate is continually adjusted to maintain a constant interferometric output phase, as a phase object in the sample arm is raster scanned. Using a 632.8 nm source, unwrapped phase images of translucent samples ranging from approximately 150 nm to 1.5 microm thick were obtained. This system is incorporated into a conventional near-field scanning optical microscope, which permits simultaneous phase, intensity, and surface morphology studies.     

The phase state revisited: the Heisenberg limit in a quantum nondemolition measurement and the nonclassical depth of the state

We consider a quantum nondemolition measurement, the apparatus consisting of a Mach–Zehnder single-photon (signal) interferometer where in one arm the signal interacts (through a Kerr medium) with a probe beam. This interaction affects the visibility of the interferometer and induces a phase shift in the state of the probe beam. Here we investigate the effects of such interaction when the probe state is in the truncated phase state, |Θ_m〉=(1+N)^−1/2∑_n=0^Ne^inΘ_m|n〉, analyze the Heisenberg limit for the phase shift measurement, and its possible relation to the nonclassical depth of the state.     

Intraoperative spectral domain optical coherence tomography for vitreoretinal surgery

We demonstrate in vivo human retinal imaging using an intraoperative microscope-mounted optical coherence tomography system (MMOCT). Our optomechanical design adapts an Oculus Binocular Indirect Ophthalmo Microscope (BIOM3), suspended from a Leica ophthalmic surgical microscope, with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scanning and relay optics. The MMOCT enables wide-field noncontact real-time cross-sectional imaging of retinal structure, allowing for SD-OCT augmented intrasurgical microscopy for intraocular visualization. We experimentally quantify the axial and lateral resolution of the MMOCT and demonstrate fundus imaging at a 20Hz frame rate.     

Sensitivity investigation of the different direction vibrations of a SNOM probe

In this article, we analyze the sensitivity of lateral, axial, and torsional vibration of a scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM) probe. An exact solution for the title problem is obtained using the theory of beam and torsional vibrations. Sensitivities are obtained for a wide range of the intervening physical parameters. This paper discusses the relationship between the sensitivity of a SNOM probe and its geometry. The analysis is presented for a probe in three different cases lateral vibration, axial vibration, and torsional vibration, for a fixed-free configuration. To derive the mathematical relation between the probe and sample (by utilizing springs and damping to simulate different environments) through the process of theory analysis for different environments. Thus a universal touchless SNOM probe sensitivity controller is developed for appropriate control and adjustment of the probe sensitivity suitable under different environments. Such controller helps the SNOM probe achieve the nanoscale resolution through proper control and adjustment probe sensitivity in accordance to changes to different environments and reduce the chance of being damaged during the scan, which in the end further advances the sample inspection technique.     

Ultrasonic radiation in dynamic force microscopy

In dynamic force microscopy the cantilever of an atomic force microscope is vibrated at ultrasonic frequencies in the range of several 10 kHz up to several MHz while scanning a sample surface. The amplitude and phase of the cantilever vibration as well as the shift of the cantilever resonance frequencies provide information about local sample surface properties. In several operation modes of dynamic force microscopy, for example force modulation microscopy, tapping mode or atomic force acoustic microscopy, the sensor tip is in contact with the sample at least during a fraction of its vibration cycle. The periodic indentation of the tip with the sample surface generates ultrasonic waves. In this paper, the ultrasonic radiation of a vibrating cantilever into a sample and its contribution to the damping of the cantilever vibration are calculated. The theoretical results are compared to experiments.     

基于半导体纳米线/锥形微光纤探针的被动式近场光学扫描成像

本文结合近场扫描结构和纳米线-微光纤耦合技术,提出了一种基于硫化镉纳米线/锥形微光纤探针结构的被动近场光学扫描成像系统.该系统采用被动式纳米探针,保留了纳米探针对样品表面反射光的强约束优势.其理论收集效率为4.65‰,相比于传统的金属镀膜近场探针收集效率提高了一个数量级,可有效地提高扫描探针对样品形貌信息的检测能力;而后通过硫化镉纳米线与微光纤之间高效的倏逝场耦合,将检测的光强信号传输到远场进行光电探测,最终实现对目标样品形貌的分析成像,其样品宽度测量误差在7.28%以内.该系统不需要外部激发光路,利用显微镜自身光源进行远场照明,被动扫描探针仅作为样品表面反射光的被动收集系统.本文基于半导体纳米线/锥形微光纤探针的被动式近场光学扫描成像方案,可有效地降低探针的制备难度和目标光场的检测难度,简化扫描成像的结构,为近场光学扫描显微系统之后的发展提供新的思路.     

基于半导体纳米线/锥形微光纤探针的被动式近场光学扫描成像

本文结合近场扫描结构和纳米线-微光纤耦合技术,提出了一种基于硫化镉纳米线/锥形微光纤探针结构的被动近场光学扫描成像系统.该系统采用被动式纳米探针,保留了纳米探针对样品表面反射光的强约束优势.其理论收集效率为4.65‰,相比于传统的金属镀膜近场探针收集效率提高了一个数量级,可有效地提高扫描探针对样品形貌信息的检测能力;而后通过硫化镉纳米线与微光纤之间高效的倏逝场耦合,将检测的光强信号传输到远场进行光电探测,最终实现对目标样品形貌的分析成像,其样品宽度测量误差在7.28%以内.该系统不需要外部激发光路,利用显微镜自身光源进行远场照明,被动扫描探针仅作为样品表面反射光的被动收集系统.本文基于半导体纳米线/锥形微光纤探针的被动式近场光学扫描成像方案,可有效地降低探针的制备难度和目标光场的检测难度,简化扫描成像的结构,为近场光学扫描显微系统之后的发展提供新的思路.     

Resolution enhancement in a reflection mode near-field optical microscope by second-harmonic modulation signals

The motion of the probe tip in a near-field scanning optical microscope, dithered by vibration of a tuning fork, can modulate the reflection signal from the sample surface not only at the fundamental dithering frequency but also at its second harmonic. By lock-in amplification of these modulated signals, enhanced optical images are obtained, even with an uncoated fiber probe. In particular, accurate optical images with higher resolution are obtained when the second-harmonic signal is detected, which results from the parametric modulation of the tip-sample separation at the double frequency of the horizontal dithering motion of the tip. Using a DVD ROM with a track pitch of 0.74 mum as a test sample, we observed that the sharp edges around the pits are clearly resolved with the second-harmonic signals and obtained enhanced resolution of ~70 nm full width at half-maximum.     

Ultra-high resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography using supercontinuum light source

An ultra-high resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was developed using a cost-effective supercontinuum laser. A spectral filter consists of a dispersive prism, a cylindrical lens and a right-angle prism was built to transmit the wavelengths in range 680–940 nm to the OCT system. The SD-OCT has achieved 1.9 μm axial resolution and the sensitivity was estimated to be 91.5 dB. A zero-crossing fringes matching method which maps the wavelengths to the pixel indices of the spectrometer was proposed for the OCT spectral calibration. A double sided foam tape as a static sample and the tip of a middle finger as a biological sample were measured by the OCT. The adhesive and the internal structure of the foam of the tape were successfully visualized in three dimensions. Sweat ducts was clearly observed in the OCT images at very high resolution. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of ultra-high resolution visualization of sweat duct by OCT.     

基于电子束剪切干涉的PIE成像技术研究

提出了基于M?llenstedt电子双棱镜的电压扫描剪切干涉全场ptychographic iterative engine(PIE)显微成像技术.从低到高逐步改变电子双棱镜的电压,并同时记录所形成的剪切干涉条纹,待测样品透射电子束的强度和相位分布就可以用PIE算法得以快速重建,而且双棱镜的方向、位置和实际电场强度分布等诸多实验中不可避免地偏差都可以在迭代过程中自动得以更正.所提技术能够克服现阶段用电子束进行PIE成像的诸多技术困扰,从而有望推动PIE技术在电子显微成像领域的发展和应用.     

基于界面信号的扫频光学相干层析成像系统相位矫正方法

由于扫频光源的采集触发信号和采样时钟信号存在时间上的随机延时,导致扫频光学相干层析成像(SS-OCT)系统干涉信号光谱的整体错移,进而引发OCT空间域信号的相位跳变,阻碍了基于相位信息的功能成像.为了获得稳定的相位,便于开展功能OCT的研究,提出了一种基于界面信号的数字相位矫正方法.对界面附近相邻A-line间同一深度的相位信号进行差分运算,计算得到相位跳变的A-line位置与光谱错移量(以像素为单位),然后在原始干涉信号上对齐光谱,重新傅里叶逆变换,得到矫正后的复信号.该数字矫正算法不会引入额外的相位噪声,可以实现OCT信噪比受限的相位探测.通过对反射镜、荧光板和小鼠脑皮层血流的多普勒成像验证了该方法的可行性.