Integrated Sensing: High-speed 3D Microscopy by Hybrid Optical-Digital Encoding and Processing

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

The goal of this proposal is to develop a novel paradigm for high-speed, three-dimensional (3D) image scene acquisition and rendering. This project is especially directed at imaging 3D dynamic microscopic scenes at video rates that can be further visualized off-line at variable speeds and from multiple viewpoints with stereoscopic display systems. As of today, no other technique can offer simultaneously the high temporal and 3D-spatial resolution of the proposed system. The new microscope is expected to acquire images simultaneously containing large depth of field, high resolution, and 3D-range information. The optical-digital system is based on a novel approach in which a) the optical, b) the digital computational, and c) the rendering parts of the system are simultaneously designed. The microscope will combine, for the first time, the rotating point-spread-function and the wavefront coding technologies. The system will be oriented to surface relief applications where very fast dynamical processes affect the microscopic 3D scene. In particular, it will be tested for MEMS inspection. The proposed system will be extremely valuable in micro-nano pattern recognition and inspection for advanced manufacturing, remote microscopic information sharing, biological imaging, and other applications that require the acquisition and visualization of 3D miniature scene-mappings at very high speeds. Graduate and undergraduate students will be actively involved in the analysis, design, and experiments. The instrumentation developed will be available for education in the area of microscopic visualization in subsequent years.