Abstract

Methods and systems for realizing high resolution three-dimensional (3-D) optical imaging using diffraction limited low' resolution optical signals. Using axial shift-based signal processing via computer based computation algorithm, three sets of high resolution optical data are detennined along the axial (or light beam propagation) direction using low resolution axial data. The three sets of low resolution data are generated by illuminating the 3~D object under observation along its three independent and orthogonal look directions (i.e., x. Y. and z) or by physically rotating the object by 90 degrees and also flipping the object by 90 degrees. The three sets of high resolution axial data is combined using a unique mathematical function to interpolate a 3-D image of the test object that is of much higher resolution than the diffiaction limited direct measurement 3-D resolution. Confocal microscopy or optical coherence tomography (OCT) are example methods to obtain the axial scan data sets.

Document Type

Patent

Patent Number

US 7,978,346

Application Serial Number

12/706,277

Issue Date

7-12-2011

Current Assignee

UCFRF

Assignee at Issuance

UCFRF

College

College of Optics and Photonics

Department

CREOL

Allowance Date

3-3-2011

Filing Date

2-16-2010

Assignee at Filing

UCFRF

Filing Type

Nonprovisional Application Record

Donated

no

Download Patent

Share

COinS