Synthetic aperture laser optical feedback imaging using a translational scanning with galvanometric mirrors

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Biomedical Imaging
• Scattering Media Imaging

Background:

• Imaging through scattering media remains a significant challenge in various scientific fields.
• Traditional imaging techniques suffer from resolution loss and limited penetration depth in turbid environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate an advanced imaging system for deep and resolved imaging through scattering media.
• To maintain high-resolution imaging beyond the conventional working distance of microscopes.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing laser optical feedback imaging (LOFI) for enhanced sensitivity.
• Implementing synthetic aperture with translational scanning via galvanometric mirrors.
• Acquiring two-dimensional optical synthetic aperture images of scattering targets.

Main Results:

• Achieved real two-dimensional optical synthetic aperture images with isotropic resolution.
• Demonstrated the capability to maintain microscope resolution beyond the working distance.
• Quantified the decrease in participating photons with reconstruction distance, partially offset by LOFI sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• The combined LOFI and synthetic aperture system enables deep imaging through scattering media.
• High resolution can be preserved at extended working distances, overcoming a key limitation.
• LOFI's sensitivity plays a crucial role in compensating for signal degradation in deep imaging scenarios.