Erich de Leon

Spatial–spectral volume holographic systems: resolution dependence on effective thickness

The resolution dependence of spatial-spectral volume holographic imaging systems on angular and spectral bandwidth of nonuniform gratings is investigated. Modeling techniques include a combination of the approximate coupled-wave analysis and the transfer-matrix method for holograms recorded in absorptive media. The effective thickness of the holograms is used as an estimator of the resolution of the imaging systems. The methodology, which assists in the design and optimization of volume holographic simulation results based on our approach, are confirmed with experiments and show proof of consistency and usefulness of the proposed models.

Simultaneous multiplane imaging of human ovarian cancer by volume holographic imaging

Abstract. Ovarian cancer is the most deadly gynecologic cancer, a fact which is attributable to poor early detection and survival once the disease has reached advanced stages. Intraoperative laparoscopic volume holographic imaging has the potential to provide simultaneous visualization of surface and subsurface structures in ovarian tissues for improved assessment of developing ovarian cancer. In this ex vivo ovarian tissue study, we assembled a benchtop volume holographic imaging system (VHIS) to characterize the microarchitecture of 78 normal and 40 abnormal tissue specimens derived from ovarian, fallopian tube, uterine, and peritoneal tissues, collected from 26 patients aged 22 to 73 undergoing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or abdominal cytoreductive surgery. All tissues were successfully imaged with the VHIS in both reflectance- and fluorescence-modes revealing morphological features which can be used to distinguish between normal, benign abnormalities, and cancerous tissues. We present the development and successful application of VHIS for imaging human ovarian tissue. Comparison of VHIS images with corresponding histopathology allowed for qualitatively distinguishing microstructural features unique to the studied tissue type and disease state. These results motivate the development of a laparoscopic VHIS for evaluating the surface and subsurface morphological alterations in ovarian cancer pathogenesis.

Dual-grating confocal-rainbow volume holographic imaging system designs for high depth resolution

Confocal microscopy rejects out-of-focus light from the object by scanning a pinhole through the image and reconstructing the image point by point. Volume holographic imaging systems with bright-field illumination have been proposed as an alternative to conventional confocal-type microscopes that does not require scanning of a pinhole or a slit. However, due to wavelength-position degeneracy of the hologram, the high Bragg selectivity of the volume hologram is not utilized and system performance is not optimized. Confocal-rainbow illumination has been proposed as a means to remove the degeneracy and improve optical sectioning in these systems. In prior work, two versions of this system were illustrated: the first version had a separate illumination and imaging grating and the second used a single grating to disperse the incident light and to separate wavelengths in the imaging path. The initial illustration of the dual-grating system has limited depth resolution due to the low selectivity of the illumination grating. The initial illustration of the single-grating system has high depth resolution but does not allow optimization of the illumination path and requires high optical quality of the holographic filters. In this paper we consider the design and tolerance requirements of the dual-grating system for high depth resolution and demonstrate the results with an experimental system. An experimental system with two 1.8 mm thick planar holograms achieved a depth resolution of 7 μm with a field of view of 1.9 mm and a hologram dispersion matching tolerance of ±0.008°.

Phase-contrast volume holographic imaging system

A phase-contrast volume holographic imaging system for three-dimensional contrast enhancement is presented. The system utilizes a spatial filter placed on a conjugate plane to the volume holographic pupil to simultaneously enhance weak phase information at different depths within an object. The proposed system was validated with experimental image data obtained in mouse colon samples and quantitative measurements of modulation transfer function as well.

Analysis of diffracted image patterns from volume holographic imaging systems and applications to image processing

Diffracted image patterns from volume holograms that are used in volume holographic imaging systems (VHISs) are investigated. It is shown that, in VHISs, prior information about the shape and spectral properties of the diffracted patterns is important not only to determine the curvature and field of view of the image, but also for image registration and noise removal. A new methodology to study numerically and analytically the dependence of VHIS diffraction patterns with the hologram construction parameters and the readout wavelength is described. Modeling and experimental results demonstrate that, in most cases, VHIS diffracted shapes can be accurately represented by hyperbolas.

Initial results of a simultaneous Stokes imaging polarimeter

We present the initial results of an imaging polarimeter operating at 632.8 nm that simultaneously analyzes four polarization states on a single detector array. In a single snap shot, the polarimeter has the ability to characterize the polarization of a scene by determining the complete Stokes vector. Images are processed to show Degree of Polarization (DOP), Degree of Linear Polarization (DOLP), Degree of Circular Polarization (DOCP), ellipticity and the angle of linear polarization. Our approach utilizes a monolithic analyzer that allows us to avoid issues usually associated with division of amplitude polarimeters such as jitter and tight tolerance requirements. We discuss our optical design, calibration procedure, and test data.

Illumination system design in a project-based course

This past spring a new for-credit course on illumination engineering was offered at the College of Optical Sciences at The University of Arizona. This course was project based such that the students could take a concept to conclusion. The main goal of the course was to learn how to use optical design and analysis software while applying principles of optics to the design of their optical systems. Projects included source modeling, displays, daylighting, light pollution, faceted reflectors, and stray light analysis. In conjunction with the course was a weekly lecture that provided information about various aspects of the field of illumination, including units, étendue, optimization, solid-state lighting, tolerancing, litappearance modeling, and fabrication of optics. These lectures harped on the important points of conservation of étendue, source modeling and tolerancing, and that no optic can be made perfectly. Based on student reviews, future versions of this course will include more hands-on demos of illumination components and assignments.

Phase Contrast Volume-Holographic Microscope

A spatial-spectral multiplex volume holographic pupil with phase contrast is used to enhance high frequency feature information of biological structures. We demonstrate imaging performance with biological samples illuminated by an LED in real time.

Multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor (MIDAS) testbed

Lockheed Martin is developing an innovative and adaptable optical telescope comprised of an array of nine identical afocal sub-telescopes. Inherent in the array design is the ability to perform high-resolution broadband imaging, Fizeau Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTS) imaging, and single exposure multi-spectral and polarimetric imaging. Additionally, the sensor suites modular design integrates multiple science packages for active and passive sensing from 0.4 to 14 microns. We describe the opto-mechanical design of our concept, the Multiple Instrument Distributed Aperture Sensor (MIDAS), and a selection of passive and active remote sensing missions it fulfills.

Achromatic instantaneous Stokes imaging polarimeter

Simultaneous detection of the Stokes vector and Stokes images over a broad spectrum can be obtained from an achromatic division of amplitude imaging Stokes polarimeter. This is done through the use of a combination of beamsplitters, prisms and achromatic retarders to split the light into four different paths in collimated space and analyze each beam. Once each beam is focused onto the four quadrants of the camera, the Stokes vector, Stokes images and the degree of polarization across the scene can be obtained through the manipulation of the intensities for each image.