Optical fiber bundle differential compressive imaging.

We present a differential compressive imaging method for an optical fiber bundle (OFB), which provides a solution for an ultrathin bend-resistant endoscope with high resolution. This method uses an OFB and a diffuser to generate speckle illumination patterns. Differential operation is additionally applied to the speckle patterns to produce sensing matrices, by which the correlation between the matrices is greatly reduced from 0.875 to 0.0275, which ensures the high quality of image reconstruction. Pixilation artifacts from the fiber core arrangement are also effectively eliminated with this configuration. We demonstrate high-resolution reconstruction of images of 132 × 132 pixels with a compression rate of 12% using 77 fiber cores, the total diameter of which is only about 91 µm. An experimental verification proves that this method is tolerant to a limited degree of fiber bending, which provides a potential approach for robust high-resolution fiber endoscopy.

Block-based compressed sensing for fast optic fiber bundle imaging with high spatial resolution.

The resolution of traditional fiber bundle imaging is usually limited by the density and the diameter of the fiber cores. To improve the resolution, compression sensing was introduced to resolve multiple pixels from a single fiber core, but current methods have the drawbacks of excessive sampling and long reconstruction time. In this paper, we present, what we believe to be, a novel block-based compressed sensing scheme for fast realization of high-resolution optic fiber bundle imaging. In this method, the target image is segmented into multiple small blocks, each of which covers the projection area of one fiber core. All block images are independently and simultaneously sampled and the intensities are recorded by a two-dimensional detector after they are collected and transmitted through corresponding fiber cores. Because the size of sampling patterns and the sampling numbers are greatly reduced, the reconstruction complexity and reconstruction time are also decreased. According to the simulation analysis, our method is 23 times faster than the current compressed sensing optical fiber imaging for reconstructing a fiber image of 128 × 128 pixels, while the sampling number is only 0.39%. Experiment results demonstrate that the method is also effective for reconstructing large target images and the number of sampling does not increase with the size of the image. Our finding may provide a new idea for high-resolution real-time imaging of fiber bundle endoscope.

A Fast Linearly Wavelength Step-Swept Light Source Based on Recirculating Frequency Shifter and Its Application to FBG Sensor Interrogation.

A wavelength step-swept light source (WSSL) using a recirculating frequency shifter loop (RFSL) based on a single-side-band (SSB) modulator is proposed, in order to achieve a linear and fast wavelength-sweeping. The swept step can be tuned from 1.2 pm to 128 pm by adjusting a precise and stable radio frequency (RF) signal that is applied to the SSB modulator. The swept rate can be tuned up to 99 kHz in a range of over 5.12 nm. Wavelength-to-time mapping is used to measure static strain-induced or temperature-induced shifting of the reflected central wavelength of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG). Because of the high linearity of the light source, the interrogation linearity of the strain and the temperature are as high as 0.99944 and 0.99946, respectively. When a dynamic periodic strain applied to FBG sensor, the dynamic performance of the FBG sensor is successfully recorded in the time domain and its power spectral density of a fast Fourier transform (FFT) is calculated. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the power spectral density is over 40 dB for a 100 Hz dynamic strain and the calculated sensitivity is 0.048 µÎµ/Hz1/2. A sharp change in the strain frequency from 100 Hz to 500 Hz is captured in real time.

Model of radial basis functions based on surface slope for optical freeform surfaces.

The model fitting degree of optical freeform surfaces is of utmost design importance. We develop a model with radial basis functions based on the surface slope (RBF-slope) for optical freeform surfaces with asymmetric structures. The RBF-slope model improves the basis-function distribution for circular apertures and establishes a relationship between shape factor and local surface slope, which provides the model with better fitting ability than the conventional RBF model (RBF-direct); fitting experiments for off-axis conic surfaces, "bumpy" paraboloids, and the design of a single mirror magnifier demonstrate the efficacy of our approach. Our method can effectively improve aberration balancing of optical freeform surfaces, resulting in high-quality imaging.

Experimental study on optical image encryption with asymmetric double random phase and computer-generated hologram.

Optical image encryption, especially double-random-phase-based, is of great interest in information security. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate the security and feasibility of optical image encryption with asymmetric double random phase and computer-generated hologram (CGH) by using spatial light modulator. First of all, the encrypted image modulated by asymmetric double random phase is numerically encoded into real-value CGH. Then, the encoded real-value CGH is loaded on the spatial light modulator and optically decrypted in self-designed experimental system. Experimental decryption results are in agreement with numerical calculations under the prober/mistaken phase keys condition. This optical decryption technology opens a window of optical encryption practical application and shows great potential for digital multimedia product copyright protection and holographic false trademark.

Lensless wide-field single-shot imaging through turbid media based on object-modulated speckles.

The need to image objects through light-scattering materials is common in a range of applications. Different methods have been investigated to acquire the image of the object when diffusers are presented. In this paper, we demonstrate the object reconstruction with single-shot imaging based on the correlography principle and phase retrieval algorithm with coherent illumination. We prove the possibility of reconstructing positive and negative objects in both transmission and reflection modes with collimated and scattered light. Formulas for calculating the size of the object from the reconstructed image are presented. We also prove that the object can be retrieved from a small section of the raw speckle image. These interesting features will have broad potential applications in many areas (such as biomedicine, security and sensing).

Statistics-based reconstruction method with high random-error tolerance for integral imaging.

A three-dimensional (3D) digital reconstruction method for integral imaging with high random-error tolerance based on statistics is proposed. By statistically analyzing the points reconstructed by triangulation from all corresponding image points in an elemental images array, 3D reconstruction with high random-error tolerance could be realized. To simulate the impacts of random errors, random offsets with different error levels are added to a different number of elemental images in simulation and optical experiments. The results of simulation and optical experiments showed that the proposed statistic-based reconstruction method has relatively stable and better reconstruction accuracy than the conventional reconstruction method. It can be verified that the proposed method can effectively reduce the impacts of random errors on 3D reconstruction of integral imaging. This method is simple and very helpful to the development of integral imaging technology.

Tracking shear waves in turbid medium by light: theory, simulation, and experiment.

Shear wave propagation provides rich information for material mechanical characterization, including elasticity and viscosity. This Letter reports tracking of shear wave propagation in turbid media by laser-speckle-contrast analysis. The theory is described, and a Monte Carlo simulation of light shear wave interaction was developed. Simulation and experiments on tissue-mimicking phantoms agree well and show tracking of shear wave at the phantom surface and at depth as well as multiple shear waves interacting within the object. The relationship between speckle contrast value and shear wave amplitude is also investigated.

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on physical fitness and academic performance of Chinese college students.

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to examine the effects of COVID-19 on the physical fitness and academic performance of Chinese college students. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included physical fitness test data from 9,712 undergraduate students and academic performance data from 12,000 undergraduate students at a top university in China. METHODS: Physical fitness was measured and evaluated according to the Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard. Data were analyzed using two-sample t-tests and Pearson product-moment correlations. RESULTS: Total physical fitness test scores of college students decreased after the outbreak, but their mean body mass index (BMI) remained at normal levels. The mean academic performance of college students unexpectedly improved during the online learning period. The positive correlation between physical test scores and academic performance was significantly higher during COVID-19 than that before the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: Chinese college students with high physical fitness during COVID-19 were more likely to achieve good academic performance.

Parallel detection of amplitude-modulated, ultrasound-modulated optical signals.

We investigated the effect of amplitude-modulated (AM) ultrasound (US) on acousto-optic (AO) signals. A phantom was exposed to both AM US and a green laser, and CCD measurements of speckle contrast were made with various exposure times. The results show that the AO signal oscillates at the AM frequency when the CCD exposure time is a fraction of the AM period and stops oscillating when the CCD exposure time is a multiple of the AM period. The AO signal decreases quickly as the AM frequency increases or peak-peak (pk-pk) amplitude decreases. With 4ms exposure time, 250Hz AM frequency and 1.27MPa pk-pk acoustic pressure, there is an ~30% increase in the AO signal compared with that of CW US. The increase in the signal is likely to be due to the particle oscillation and the induced shear wave as a result of the radiation force generated by the AM US.

Use of Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis during pelvic surgery in a uterine transplantation model.

AIM: Uterine transplantation (UTx) is proposed for treatment of uterine factor infertility. Our aim was to assess whether Endoscopic Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis (eLASCA) could evaluate pelvic blood flow at anastomotic sites required for sheep and rabbit UTx. RESULTS/METHODOLOGY: eLASCA detected blood flow in rabbit UTx #7 and #9. In sheep UTx #2, #3 and #5, the results allowed us to conclude that blood flow was present in the uterine graft following transplantation; and post-UTx, the animal had heart and respiratory rates, and oxygen saturation compatible with a normal hemodynamic status. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results establish the potential of Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis as noncontact and real-time tool for observation of spatially-resolved blood flow from which other parameters can be derived.

Simulation of speckle patterns with pre-defined correlation distributions.

We put forward a method to easily generate a single or a sequence of fully developed speckle patterns with pre-defined correlation distribution by utilizing the principle of coherent imaging. The few-to-one mapping between the input correlation matrix and the correlation distribution between simulated speckle patterns is realized and there is a simple square relationship between the values of these two correlation coefficient sets. This method is demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally. The square relationship enables easy conversion from any desired correlation distribution. Since the input correlation distribution can be defined by a digital matrix or a gray-scale image acquired experimentally, this method provides a convenient way to simulate real speckle-related experiments and to evaluate data processing techniques.

Effect of signal intensity and camera quantization on laser speckle contrast analysis.

Laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) is limited to being a qualitative method for the measurement of blood flow and tissue perfusion as it is sensitive to the measurement configuration. The signal intensity is one of the parameters that can affect the contrast values due to the quantization of the signals by the camera and analog-to-digital converter (ADC). In this paper we deduce the theoretical relationship between signal intensity and contrast values based on the probability density function (PDF) of the speckle pattern and simplify it to a rational function. A simple method to correct this contrast error is suggested. The experimental results demonstrate that this relationship can effectively compensate the bias in contrast values induced by the quantized signal intensity and correct for bias induced by signal intensity variations across the field of view.