Non-resonant lasing in a deep-hole scattering cavity.

Random lasers are promising in the spectral regime, wherein conventional lasers are unavailable, with advantages of low fabrication costs and applicability of diverse gain materials. However, their practical application is hindered by high threshold powers, low power efficiency, and difficulties in light collection. Here, we demonstrate a power-efficient easy-to-fabricate non-resonant laser using a deep hole on a porous gain material. The laser action in this counterintuitive cavity was enabled by non-resonant feedback from strong diffuse reflections on the inner surface. Additionally, significant enhancements in slope efficiency, threshold power, and directionality were obtained from cavities fabricated on a porous Nd:YAG ceramic.

Low-coherence optical diffraction tomography using a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator.

Optical diffraction tomography (ODT) is a three-dimensional (3D) label-free imaging technique. The 3D refractive index distribution of a sample can be reconstructed from multiple two-dimensional optical field images via ODT. Herein, we introduce a temporally low-coherence ODT technique using a ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator (FLC SLM). The fast binary-phase modulation provided by the FLC SLM ensures the high spatiotemporal resolution. To reduce coherent noise, a superluminescent light-emitting diode is used as an economic low-coherence light source. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed system using various samples, including colloidal microspheres and live epithelial cells.

Speckle-Correlation Scattering Matrix Approaches for Imaging and Sensing through Turbidity.

The development of optical and computational techniques has enabled imaging without the need for traditional optical imaging systems. Modern lensless imaging techniques overcome several restrictions imposed by lenses, while preserving or even surpassing the capability of lens-based imaging. However, existing lensless methods often rely on a priori information about objects or imaging conditions. Thus, they are not ideal for general imaging purposes. The recent development of the speckle-correlation scattering matrix (SSM) techniques facilitates new opportunities for lensless imaging and sensing. In this review, we present the fundamentals of SSM methods and highlight recent implementations for holographic imaging, microscopy, optical mode demultiplexing, and quantification of the degree of the coherence of light. We conclude with a discussion of the potential of SSM and future research directions.

Reference-free polarization-sensitive quantitative phase imaging using single-point optical phase conjugation.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a method of polarization-sensitive quantitative phase imaging using two photodetectors and a digital micromirror device. Instead of recording wide-field interference patterns, finding the modulation patterns maximizing focused intensities in terms of the polarization states enables polarization-dependent quantitative phase imaging without the need for a reference beam and an image sensor. The feasibility of the present method is experimentally validated by reconstructing Jones matrices of several samples including a polystyrene microsphere, a maize starch granule, and a mouse retinal nerve fiber layer. Since the present method is simple and sufficiently general, we expect that it may offer solutions for quantitative phase imaging of birefringent materials.

Compensation of aberration in quantitative phase imaging using lateral shifting and spiral phase integration.

We present a simple and effective method to eliminate system aberrations in quantitative phase imaging. Using spiral phase integration, complete information about system aberration is calculated from three laterally shifted phase images. The present method is especially useful when measuring confluent samples in which acquisition of background area is challenging. To demonstrate validity and applicability, we present measurements of various types of samples including microspheres, HeLa cells, and mouse brain tissue. Working conditions and limitations are systematically analyzed and discussed.

Ultrahigh enhancement of light focusing through disordered media controlled by mega-pixel modes.

We propose and demonstrate a system for wavefront shaping, which generates optical foci through complex disordered media and achieves an enhancement factor of greater than 100,000. To exploit the 1 megapixel capacity of a digital micro-mirror device and its fast frame rate, we developed a fast and efficient method to handle the heavy matrix algebra computation involved in optimizing the focus. We achieved an average enhancement factor of 101,391 within an optimization time of 73 minutes with amplitude control. This unprecedented enhancement factor may open new possibilities for realistic image projection and the efficient delivery of energy through scattering media.

White-light quantitative phase imaging unit: erratum.

We found an error in Fig. 1 of our article "White-light Quantitative Phase Imaging Unit." Here we publish the revised figure.

Effects of spatiotemporal coherence on interferometric microscopy.

Illumination coherence plays a major role in various imaging systems, from microscopy, metrology, digital holography, optical coherence tomography, to ultrasound imaging. Here, we present a systematic study on the effects of degrees of spatiotemporal coherence of an illumination (DSTCI) on imaging quality of interferometric microscopy. An optical field with arbitrary DSTCI was decomposed into wavelets with constituent spatiotemporal frequencies, and the effects on image quality were quantitatively investigated. The results show the synergistic effects on reduction of speckle noise when DSTCI is decreased. This study presents a method to systematically control DSTCI, and the result provides an essential reference on the effects of DSTCI on the imaging quality. We believe that the presented methods and results can be implemented in various imaging systems for characterizing and improving the imaging quality.

Beyond Born-Rytov limit for super-resolution optical diffraction tomography.

Optical diffraction tomography (ODT) using Born or Rytov approximation suffers from severe distortions in reconstructed refractive index (RI) tomograms when multiple scattering occurs or the scattering signals are strong. These effects are usually seen as a significant impediment to the application of ODT because multiple scattering is directly linked to an unknown object itself rather than a surrounding medium, and a strong scatter invalidates the underlying assumptions of the Born and Rytov approximations. The focus of this article is to demonstrate for the first time that multiple scattering and high material contrast, if handled aptly, can significantly improve the image quality of the ODT thanks to multiple scattering inside a sample. Experimental verification using various phantom and biological cells substantiates that we not only revealed the structures that were not observable using the conventional approaches but also resolved the long-standing problem of missing cones in the ODT.

Time-multiplexed structured illumination using a DMD for optical diffraction tomography.

We present a time-multiplexing structured illumination control technique for optical diffraction tomography (ODT). Instead of tilting the angle of illumination, time-multiplexed sinusoidal illumination is exploited using a digital micromirror device (DMD). The present method effectively eliminates unwanted diffracted beams from binary DMD patterns, which deteriorates the image quality of the ODT in the previous binary Lee hologram method. We experimentally show the feasibility and advantage of the present method by reconstructing three-dimensional refractive index distributions of various samples and comparing with a conventional Lee hologram method.

White-light quantitative phase imaging unit.

We introduce the white-light quantitative phase imaging unit (WQPIU) as a practical realization of quantitative phase imaging (QPI) on standard microscope platforms. The WQPIU is a compact stand-alone unit which measures sample induced phase delay under white-light illumination. It does not require any modification of the microscope or additional accessories for its use. The principle of the WQPIU based on lateral shearing interferometry and phase shifting interferometry provides a cost-effective and user-friendly use of QPI. The validity and capacity of the presented method are demonstrated by measuring quantitative phase images of polystyrene beads, human red blood cells, HeLa cells and mouse white blood cells. With speckle-free imaging capability due to the use of white-light illumination, the WQPIU is expected to expand the scope of QPI in biological sciences as a powerful but simple imaging tool.

Measuring optical transmission matrices by wavefront shaping.

We introduce a simple but practical method to measure the optical transmission matrix (TM) of complex media. The optical TM of a complex medium is obtained by modulating the wavefront of a beam impinging on the complex medium and imaging the transmitted full-field speckle intensity patterns. Using the retrieved TM, we demonstrate the generation and linear combination of multiple foci on demand through the complex medium. This method will be used as a versatile tool for coherence control of waves through turbid media.

Comparative study of iterative reconstruction algorithms for missing cone problems in optical diffraction tomography.

In optical tomography, there exist certain spatial frequency components that cannot be measured due to the limited projection angles imposed by the numerical aperture of objective lenses. This limitation, often called as the missing cone problem, causes the under-estimation of refractive index (RI) values in tomograms and results in severe elongations of RI distributions along the optical axis. To address this missing cone problem, several iterative reconstruction algorithms have been introduced exploiting prior knowledge such as positivity in RI differences or edges of samples. In this paper, various existing iterative reconstruction algorithms are systematically compared for mitigating the missing cone problem in optical diffraction tomography. In particular, three representative regularization schemes, edge preserving, total variation regularization, and the Gerchberg-Papoulis algorithm, were numerically and experimentally evaluated using spherical beads as well as real biological samples; human red blood cells and hepatocyte cells. Our work will provide important guidelines for choosing the appropriate regularization in ODT.

One-Wave Optical Phase Conjugation Mirror by Actively Coupling Arbitrary Light Fields into a Single-Mode Reflector.

Rewinding the arrow of time via phase conjugation is an intriguing phenomenon made possible by the wave property of light. Here, we demonstrate the realization of a one-wave optical phase conjugation mirror using a spatial light modulator. An adaptable single-mode filter is created, and a phase-conjugate beam is then prepared by reverse propagation through this filter. Our method is simple, alignment free, and fast while allowing high power throughput in the time-reversed wave, which has not been simultaneously demonstrated before. Using our method, we demonstrate high throughput full-field light delivery through highly scattering biological tissue and multimode fibers, even for quantum dot fluorescence.

Quantitative phase imaging unit.

A simple and cost-effective method is presented for quantitative phase imaging. A common-path lateral phase shifting interferometer is realized through attaching a compact filter set to the output port of an existing microscope. The working principles, design criteria, and limitations are also derived and explained. In order to demonstrate the capability and applicability of the method, the optical phase images of a microsphere and individual human red blood cells are measured with high stability.

Diffraction optical tomography using a quantitative phase imaging unit.

A simple and practical method to measure three-dimensional (3-D) refractive index (RI) distributions of biological cells is presented. A common-path self-reference interferometry consisting of a compact set of polarizers is attached to a conventional inverted microscope equipped with a beam scanning unit, which can precisely measure multiple 2-D holograms of a sample with high phase stability for various illumination angles, from which accurate 3-D optical diffraction tomograms of the sample can be reconstructed. 3-D RI tomograms of nonbiological samples such as polystyrene microspheres, as well as biological samples including human red blood cells and breast cancer cells, are presented.

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.

Synthetic Fourier transform light scattering.

We present synthetic Fourier transform light scattering, a method for measuring extended angle-resolved light scattering (ARLS) from individual microscopic samples. By measuring the light fields scattered from the sample plane and numerically synthesizing them in Fourier space, the angle range of the ARLS patterns is extended up to twice the numerical aperture of the imaging system with unprecedented sensitivity and precision. Extended ARLS patterns of individual microscopic polystyrene beads, healthy human red blood cells (RBCs), and Plasmodium falciparum-parasitized RBCs are presented.

Quantitative phase imaging techniques for the study of cell pathophysiology: from principles to applications.

A cellular-level study of the pathophysiology is crucial for understanding the mechanisms behind human diseases. Recent advances in quantitative phase imaging (QPI) techniques show promises for the cellular-level understanding of the pathophysiology of diseases. To provide important insight on how the QPI techniques potentially improve the study of cell pathophysiology, here we present the principles of QPI and highlight some of the recent applications of QPI ranging from cell homeostasis to infectious diseases and cancer.

Direct high-resolution X-ray imaging exploiting pseudorandomness.

Owing to its unique penetrating power and high-resolution capability, X-ray imaging has been an irreplaceable tool since its discovery. Despite the significance, the resolution of X-ray imaging has largely been limited by the technical difficulties on X-ray lens making. Various lensless imaging methods have been proposed, but are yet relying on multiple measurements or additional constraints on measurements or samples. Here we present coherent speckle-correlation imaging (CSI) using a designed X-ray diffuser. CSI has no prerequisites for samples or measurements. Instead, from a single shot measurement, the complex sample field is retrieved based on the pseudorandomness of the speckle intensity pattern, ensured through a diffuser. We achieve a spatial resolution of 13.9 nm at 5.46 keV, beating the feature size of the diffuser used (300 nm). The high-resolution imaging capability is theoretically explained based on fundamental and practical limits. We expect the CSI to be a versatile tool for navigating the unexplored world of nanometer.