Volumetric Imaging Via Spectral Sweep Enables New 3D Scanning Microscope

Abstract

The University of Central Florida invention combines the principles of optical holography and Bragg diffraction to enable the complete reconstruction of a three-dimensional (3D) object. A conventional imaging system, typically found in a table-top microscope, captures the two-dimensional (2D) cross-section of a 3D space at a specific distance along its optical axis—the direction of illumination. Due to the restricted depth-of-field of such a platform, its operation is limited to imaging thin samples. For a thicker specimen, however, a stack of 2D cross-sections recorded at discrete points along its thickness is needed to reconstruct the object fully. The processing time of such an approach depends on the sample thickness, as well as the physical separation between consecutive cross-sections along the illumination direction (for example, the longitudinal resolution).

With an alternative approach to volumetric imaging, the invention obtains an image stack via a spectral sweep. As a result, the innovation enables a new type of 3D scanning microscope with no moving parts and the depth image acquisition is done by sweeping the wavelength of the light source. Applications include long-distance LIDAR depth sweeps and nano-surface profiles.

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The research team is seeking partners for licensing and/or research collaboration.

Stage of Development

Prototype available.

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Market Application