Computed Optical Interferometric Imaging: Methods, Achievements, and Challenges

Abstract

Three-dimensional high-resolution optical imaging systems are generally restricted by the trade-off between resolution and depth-of-field as well as imperfections in the imaging system or sample. Computed optical interferometric imaging is able to overcome these longstanding limitations using methods such as interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy (ISAM) and computational adaptive optics (CAO) which manipulate the complex interferometric data. These techniques correct for limited depth-of-field and optical aberrations without the need for additional hardware. This paper aims to outline these computational methods, making them readily available to the research community. Achievements of the techniques will be highlighted, along with past and present challenges in implementing the techniques. Challenges such as phase instability and determination of the appropriate aberration correction have been largely overcome so that imaging of living tissues using ISAM and CAO is now possible. Computed imaging in optics is becoming a mature technology poised to make a significant impact in medicine and biology.

Agreement in Cone Density Derived from Gaze-Directed Single Images Versus Wide-Field Montage Using Adaptive Optics Flood Illumination Ophthalmoscopy

“…Improvements to hardware-based adaptive optics may improve our ability to correct for the eye's wave aberrations, but there also are computational wavefront correction algorithms that have enabled visualization of even highly packed individual cone photoreceptors without the need for expensive, bulky hardware. 14 – 16 In the foreseeable future, computational correction of images may augment or even replace hardware-based adaptive optics technologies in visualizing human retinal photoreceptor cells.…”

Recent Advances and Current Trends in Transmission Tomographic Diffraction Microscopy

“…In terms of the experimental implementation of the technique, as well as achievements by various groups working in the field, the interested reader is referred to Refs. [ 8 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 ]. Figure 4 gives typical examples of realization with these various approaches.…”

Computational optical coherence tomography [Invited]

“…10(c)], individual cone photoreceptors become clearly visible throughout the full field-of-view. Later, the same en face OCT system was used to image retinal fibers as well [73]. For the sake of capturing an accurate historical timeline, Hillmann et al [133] presented work at the same time as Shemonski et al [134] demonstrating computational aberration correction in the living retina far from the fovea using a full-field SS-OCT system.…”