Anabel Llavador

Non-Homogeneity of Lateral Resolution in Integral Imaging

We evaluate the lateral resolution in reconstructed integral images. Our analysis takes into account both the diffraction effects in the image capture stage and the lack of homogeneity and isotropy in the reconstruction stage. We have used Monte Carlo simulation in order to assign a value for the resolution limit to any reconstruction plane. We have modelled the resolution behavior. Although in general the resolution limit increases proportionally to the distance to the lens array, there are some periodically distributed singularity planes. The phenomenon is supported by experiments.

Resolution enhancement in integral microscopy by physical interpolation.

Integral-imaging technology has demonstrated its capability for computing depth images from the microimages recorded after a single shot. This capability has been shown in macroscopic imaging and also in microscopy. Despite the possibility of refocusing different planes from one snap-shot is crucial for the study of some biological processes, the main drawback in integral imaging is the substantial reduction of the spatial resolution. In this contribution we report a technique, which permits to increase the two-dimensional spatial resolution of the computed depth images in integral microscopy by a factor of √2. This is made by a double-shot approach, carried out by means of a rotating glass plate, which shifts the microimages in the sensor plane. We experimentally validate the resolution enhancement as well as we show the benefit of applying the technique to biological specimens.

Is it worth using an array of cameras to capture the spatio-angular information of a 3D scene or is it enough with just two?

An analysis and comparison of the lateral and the depth resolution in the reconstruction of 3D scenes from images obtained either with a classical two view stereoscopic camera or with an Integral Imaging (InI) pickup setup is presented. Since the two above systems belong to the general class of multiview imaging systems, the best analytical tool for the calculation of lateral and depth resolution is the ray-space formalism, and the classical tools of Fourier information processing. We demonstrate that InI is the optimum system to sampling the spatio-angular information contained in a 3D scene.

Free-depths reconstruction with synthetic impulse response in integral imaging.

Integral Imaging provides spatial and angular information of three-dimensional (3D) objects, which can be used both for 3D display and for computational post-processing purposes. In order to recover the depth information from an integral image, several algorithms have been developed. In this paper, we propose a new free depth synthesis and reconstruction method based on the two-dimensional (2D) deconvolution between the integral image and a simplified version of the periodic impulse response function (IRF) of the system. The period of the IRF depends directly on the axial position within the object space. Then, we can retrieve the depth information by performing the deconvolution with computed impulse responses with different periods. In addition, alternative reconstructions can be obtained by deconvolving with non-conventional synthetic impulse responses. Our experiments show the feasibility of the proposed method as well as its potential applications.

Resolution improvements in integral microscopy with Fourier plane recording.

Integral microscopes (IMic) have been recently developed in order to capture the spatial and the angular information of 3D microscopic samples with a single exposure. Computational post-processing of this information permits to carry out a 3D reconstruction of the sample. By applying conventional algorithms, both depth and also view reconstructions are possible. However, the main drawback of IMic is that the resolution of the reconstructed images is low and axially heterogeneous. In this paper, we propose a new configuration of the IMic by placing the lens array not at the image plane, but at the pupil (or Fourier) plane of the microscope objective. With this novel system, the spatial resolution is increased by factor 1.4, and the depth of field is substantially enlarged. Our experiments show the feasibility of the proposed method.

Axial resonance of periodic patterns by using a Fresnel biprism

This paper proposes a method for the generation of high-contrast localized sinusoidal fringes with spatially noncoherent illumination and relatively high light throughput. The method, somehow similar to the classical Lau effect, is based on the use of a Fresnel biprism. It has some advantages over previous methods for the noncoherent production of interference fringes. One is the flexibility of the method, which allows the control of the fringe period by means of a simple axial shift of the biprism. Second is the rapid axial fall-off in visibility around the high-contrast fringe planes. And third is the possibility of creating fringes with increasing or with constant period as the light beam propagates. Experimental verifications of the theoretical statements are also provided.

From the plenoptic camera to the flat integral-imaging display

Plenoptic cameras capture a sampled version of the map of rays emitted by a 3D scene, commonly known as the Lightfield. These devices have been proposed for multiple applications as calculating different sets of views of the 3D scene, removing occlusions and changing the focused plane of the scene. They can also capture images that can be projected onto an integral-imaging monitor for display 3D images with full parallax. In this contribution, we have reported a new algorithm for transforming the plenoptic image in order to choose which part of the 3D scene is reconstructed in front of and behind the microlenses in the 3D display process.

FIMic: design for ultimate 3D-integral microscopy of in-vivo biological samples

In this work, Fourier integral microscope (FIMic), an ultimate design of 3D-integral microscopy, is presented. By placing a multiplexing microlens array at the aperture stop of the microscope objective of the host microscope, FIMic shows extended depth of field and enhanced lateral resolution in comparison with regular integral microscopy. As FIMic directly produces a set of orthographic views of the 3D-micrometer-sized sample, it is suitable for real-time imaging. Following regular integral-imaging reconstruction algorithms, a 2.75-fold enhanced depth of field and [Formula: see text]-time better spatial resolution in comparison with conventional integral microscopy is reported. Our claims are supported by theoretical analysis and experimental images of a resolution test target, cotton fibers, and in-vivo 3D-imaging of biological specimens.

Time-multiplexing Integral Microscopy

Conventional microscopes do not capture the 3D information of thick specimens. In order to avoid this limitation Integral Microscopy was proposed. An integral microscope is implemented by inserting a microlens array between the microscope objective and the camera sensor. Although this device captures multiperspective information of the specimen, the small number of microlenses limits the lateral resolution. In this paper we propose to improve the resolution by time multiplexing. Specifically, we propose an electrically addressable device that permits to obtain three sheared versions of the microscopic plenoptic map. Digital processing algorithm applied to the maps provides images with resolution similar to the one provided by the host microscope.

3D integral microscopy based in far-field detection

Lately, Integral-Imaging systems have shown very promising capabilities of capturing the 3D structure of micro- scopic and macroscopic scenes. The aim of this work is to provide an optimal design for 3D-integral microscopy with extended depth of field and enhanced lateral resolution. By placing an array of microlenses at the aperture stop of the objective, this setup provides a set of orthographic views of the 3D sample. Adopting well known integral imaging reconstruction algorithms it can be shown that the depth of field as well as spatial resolution are improved with respect to conventional integral microscopy imaging. Our claims are supported on theoretical basis and experimental images of a resolution test target, and biological samples.