Hyeonseung Yu

Complex wavefront shaping for optimal depth-selective focusing in optical coherence tomography

We report on an approach to exploit multiple light scattering by shaping the incident wavefront in optical coherence tomography (OCT). Most of the reflected signal from biological tissue consists of multiply scattered light, which is regarded as noise in OCT. A digital mirror device (DMD) is utilized to shape the incident wavefront such that the maximal energy is focused at a specific depth in a highly scattering sample using a coherence-gated reflectance signal as feedback. The proof-of-concept experiment demonstrates that this approach enhances depth-selective focusing in the presence of optical inhomogeneity, and thus extends the penetration depth in spectral domain-OCT (SD-OCT).

Depth-enhanced 2-D optical coherence tomography using complex wavefront shaping

We report the enhancement in the obtained signal and penetration depth of 2-D depth-resolved images that were taken by shaping the incident wavefront in optical coherence tomography (OCT). Limitations in the penetration depth and signal to noise ratio (SNR) in OCT are mainly due to multiple scattering, which have been effectively suppressed by controlling the incident wavefront using a digital mirror device (DMD) in combination with spectral-domain OCT. The successful enhancements in the penetration depth and SNR are demonstrated in a wide-range of tissue phantoms, reaching depth enhancement of up to 92%. The hidden structures inside a tissue phantom that could not be seen in conventional OCT are clearly revealed through our proposed system. Its 2-D imaging capability, assisted by further optimization of the system for real-time acquisition speed will boost wide-spread use of OCT for in-vivo tissue diagnosis.

Biomedical applications of holographic microspectroscopy [invited].

The identification and quantification of specific molecules are crucial for studying the pathophysiology of cells, tissues, and organs as well as diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Recent advances in holographic microspectroscopy, based on quantitative phase imaging or optical coherence tomography techniques, show promise for label-free noninvasive optical detection and quantification of specific molecules in living cells and tissues (e.g., hemoglobin protein). To provide important insight into the potential employment of holographic spectroscopy techniques in biological research and for related practical applications, we review the principles of holographic microspectroscopy techniques and highlight recent studies.

LCD panel characterization by measuring full Jones matrix of individual pixels using polarization-sensitive digital holographic microscopy

We present measurements of the full Jones matrix of individual pixels in a liquid-crystal display (LCD) panel. Employing a polarization-sensitive digital holographic microscopy based on Mach-Zehnder interferometry, the complex amplitudes of the light passing through individual LCD pixels are precisely measured with respect to orthogonal bases of polarization states, from which the full Jones matrix components of individual pixels are obtained. We also measure the changes in the Jones matrix of individual LCD pixels with respect to an applied bias. In addition, the complex optical responses of a LCD panel with respect to arbitrary polarization states of incident light were characterized from the measured Jones matrix.

Fourier-transform light scattering of individual colloidal clusters

We present measurements of the scalar-field light scattering of individual dimer, trimer, and tetrahedron shapes among colloidal clusters. By measuring the electric field with quantitative phase imaging at the sample plane and then numerically propagating to the far-field scattering plane, the two-dimensional light-scattering patterns from individual colloidal clusters are effectively and precisely retrieved. The measured scattering patterns are consistent with simulated patterns calculated from the generalized multiparticle Mie solution.

Optogenetic control of cell signaling pathway through scattering skull using wavefront shaping

We introduce a non-invasive approach for optogenetic regulation in biological cells through highly scattering skull tissue using wavefront shaping. The wavefront of the incident light was systematically controlled using a spatial light modulator in order to overcome multiple light-scattering in a mouse skull layer and to focus light on the target cells. We demonstrate that illumination with shaped waves enables spatiotemporal regulation of intracellular Ca2+ level at the individual-cell level.

Focusing through turbid media by polarization modulation

We demonstrate that polarization modulation of an illumination beam can effectively control the spatial profile of the light transmitted through turbid media. Since the transmitted electric fields are completely mingled in turbid media, polarization states of an illumination beam can be used effectively to control the propagation of light through turbid media. Numerical simulations were performed which agree with experimental results obtained using a commercial in-plane switching liquid crystal display for modulating the input polarization states.

Label-free optical quantification of structural alterations in Alzheimer's disease.

We present a wide-field quantitative label-free imaging of mouse brain tissue slices with sub-micrometre resolution, employing holographic microscopy and an automated scanning platform. From the measured light field images, scattering coefficients and anisotropies are quantitatively retrieved by using the modified the scattering-phase theorem, which enables access to structural information about brain tissues. As a proof of principle, we demonstrate that these scattering parameters enable us to quantitatively address structural alteration in the brain tissues of mice with Alzheimer’s disease.

Measuring large optical reflection matrices of turbid media

Abstract We report the measurement of a large optical reflection matrix (RM) of a highly disordered medium. Incident optical fields onto a turbid sample are controlled by a spatial light modulator, and the corresponding fields reflected from the sample are measured using full-field Michelson interferometry. The number of modes in the measured RM is set to exceed the number of resolvable modes in the scattering media. We successfully study the subtle intrinsic correlations in the RM which agrees with the theoretical prediction by the random-matrix theory when the effect of the limited numerical aperture on the eigenvalue distribution of the RM is taken into account. The possibility of the enhanced delivery of incident energy into scattering media is also examined from the eigenvalue distribution which promises efficient light therapeutic applications.

In vivo deep tissue imaging using wavefront shaping optical coherence tomography

Abstract. Multiple light scattering in tissue limits the penetration of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Here, we present in vivo OCT imaging of a live mouse using wavefront shaping (WS) to enhance the penetration depth. A digital micromirror device was used in a spectral-domain OCT system for complex WS of an incident beam which resulted in the optimal delivery of light energy into deep tissue. Ex vivo imaging of chicken breasts and mouse ear tissues showed enhancements in the strength of the image signals and the penetration depth, and in vivo imaging of the tail of a live mouse provided a multilayered structure inside the tissue.