Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a surface wave enabled darkfield aperture structure comprising an aperture layer, a aperture in the aperture layer and a plurality of grooves around the aperture. The aperture layer has a first and second surface. The plurality of grooves is in the first surface. A surface wave propagates along at least the first surface. The plurality of grooves is configured to generate a darkfield at the aperture by modifying the surface wave to cancel out direct transmission of a uniform incident light field received by the aperture.

Abstract: A scanning projective lensless microscope device comprises a specimen surface, a scanning illumination source with a light element, a light detector outside the specimen surface, and a processor. The scanning illumination source scans the light element to a plurality of scanning locations to provide illumination to an object on the specimen surface. The light detector samples a sequence of sub-pixel shifted projection object images corresponding to the plurality of scanning locations. The processor constructs a high resolution image of the object based on the sequence of sub-pixel shifted projection images and a motion vector of the projections at a plane of interest.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for irradiating one or more targets within a sample with electromagnetic (EM) radiation. One or more targets within the sample are controllably defined with an acoustic field. The sample is irradiated with input EM radiation having an input wavefront. An amount of frequency shifted EM radiation is detected, wherein at least some of the input EM radiation that passes through the acoustic field at the targets is shifted in frequency to form the frequency shifted EM radiation. The input wavefront is modified, using feedback comprising the amount of the frequency shifted EM radiation that is detected, into a modified wavefront. The sample is irradiated using the input EM radiation comprising the modified wavefront, and the process is repeated as desired.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a delayed emission detection device comprising a time-gated illumination source configured to provide excitation light to fluorophore during an excitation period and a light detector configured to receive emissions released from the fluorophore during a collection period after the excitation period.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a wavefront sensor comprising a film and a photodetector. The film has one or more structured two dimensional apertures configured to convert a phase gradient of a wavefront into a measurable form. The photodetector is configured to receive the wavefront through the one or more 2D apertures and measure the phase gradient of the wavefront.

Abstract: A differential interference contrast (DIC) determination device and method utilizes an illumination source, a layer having a pair of two apertures that receive illumination from the illumination source, and a photodetector to receive Young's interference from the illumination passing through the pair of two apertures. In addition, a surface wave assisted optofluidic microscope and method utilize an illumination source, a fluid channel having a layer with at least one aperture as a surface, and a photodetector that receives a signal based on the illumination passing through the aperture. The layer is corrugated (e.g., via fabrication) and parameters of the corrugation optimize the signal received on the photodetector.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for irradiating a sample with electromagnetic (EM) radiation. A number of passes of EM radiation through a sample are formed and/or selected, wherein the EM radiation in each of the passes comprises (1) input EM radiation incident on the sample, and (2) transmitted EM radiation exiting the sample formed from the input EM radiation that is transmitted through the sample. A phase conjugate of the transmitted EM radiation is used as the input EM radiation in a next pass of the EM radiation. The number of passes results in one or more EM fields of the input EM radiation having at least a threshold transmittance through the sample.

Abstract: A wavefront microscope or camera utilizes a wavefront sensor to measure the local intensity and phase gradient of the wavefront and output image maps based on the intensity and phase gradient. A wavefront sensor provides a metal film having patterned structured two dimensional (2D) apertures that convert a phase gradient of a wavefront into a measurable form onto a photodetector array. A computer is used to analyze the data by separating signals projected and recorded on the array from the different apertures, predict a center of each projection, and sum signals for each projection to display the intensity while determining a center position change/offset from the predicted center to display the phase gradient of the wavefront.

Abstract: A super resolution optofluidic microscope device comprises a body defining a fluid channel having a longitudinal axis and includes a surface layer proximal the fluid channel. The surface layer has a two-dimensional light detector array configured to receive light passing through the fluid channel and sample a sequence of subpixel shifted projection frames as an object moves through the fluid channel. The super resolution optofluidic microscope device further comprises a processor in electronic communication with the two-dimensional light detector array. The processor is configured to generate a high resolution image of the object using a super resolution algorithm, and based on the sequence of subpixel shifted projection frames and a motion vector of the object.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a reflective focusing and transmissive projection device having a body, a set of reflective-focusing components and a light detector. The body has a surface layer with first and second surfaces, and a detecting layer outside the second surface. The set of reflective-focusing components is in the surface layer. Each reflective-focusing component has a contouring element and a curved reflective element conformed to the contouring element. The curved reflective element is configured to reflect light of a first type, transmit light of a second type and focus the light of the first type outside the first surface of the surface layer. The light detector is in the detecting layer, and is configured to receive light and generate light data associated with the received light. Also, the contouring element can be configured to focus the light of the second type on the light detector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate a nondiffracting beam detection module for generating three-dimensional image data that has a surface layer having a first surface and a light transmissive region, a microaxicon, and a light detector. The microaxicon receives light through the light transmissive region from outside the first surface and generates one or more detection nondiffracting beams based on the received light. The light detector receives the nondiffracting beams and generates three-dimensional image data associated with an object located outside the first surface based on the one or more detection nondiffracting beams received. In some cases, the light detector can localize a three-dimensional position on the object associated with each detection nondiffracting beam received.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a high-resolution imaging device with wide field and extended focus comprising a beam generator for generating a plurality of nondiffracting beams and a scanning mechanism for moving the plurality of nondiffracting beams relative to the object to illuminate a volume of the object. The high-resolution imaging device also comprises surface element and a body having a light detector layer outside the surface element. The light detector layer has a light detector configured to measure light data associated with the plurality of nondiffracting beams illuminating the volume of the object. In some cases, the high-resolution imaging device also includes a lens inside of the light detector layer. The lens is configured to focus the light on the light detector surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to techniques for improving optofluidic microscope (OFM) devices. One technique which may be used eliminates the aperture layer covering the light detector layer. Other techniques retain the aperture layer, reversing the relative position of the light source and light detector such that light passes through the aperture layer before passing through the fluid channel to the light detector. Another technique adds an optical tweezer for controlling the movement of objects moving through the fluid channel. Another technique adds an optical fiber bundle to relay light from light transmissive regions to a remote light detector. Another technique adds two electrodes at ends of the fluid channel to generate an electrical field capable of moving objects through the fluid channel while suppressing rotation. These techniques can be employed separately or in combination to improve the capabilities of OFM devices.

Abstract: A differential interference contrast (DIC) determination device and method utilizes an illumination source, a layer having a pair of two apertures that receive illumination from the illumination source, and a photodetector to receive Young's interference from the illumination passing through the pair of two apertures. In addition, a surface wave assisted optofluidic microscope and method utilize an illumination source, a fluid channel having a layer with at least one aperture as a surface, and a photodetector that receives a signal based on the illumination passing through the aperture. The layer is corrugated (e.g., via fabrication) and parameters of the corrugation optimize the signal received on the photodetector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to techniques for improving optofluidic microscope (OFM) devices. One technique that may be used employs surface tension at a hydrophobic surface to passively pump the fluid sample through the fluid channel. Another technique uses electrodes to adjust the position of objects in the fluid channel. Another technique computationally adjusts the focal plane of an image wavefront measured using differential interference contrast (DIC) based on Young's interference by back propagating the image wavefront from the detection focal plane to a different focal plane. These techniques can be employed separately or in combination to improve the capabilities of OFM devices.

Abstract: A detector of light transmitted through a turbid medium, comprising: one or more Digital Optical Phase Conjugation (DOPC) devices, wherein the DOPC devices include (1) a sensor for detecting input light that has been transmitted through the turbid medium and inputted on the sensor; and (2) a spatial light modulator (SLM) for outputting, in response to the input light detected by the sensor, output light that is an optical phase conjugate of the input light.

Abstract: A light microscope for imaging a sample containing one or more fluorescent agents, comprising a source for generating acoustic waves that are focused at a focus in the sample, wherein the acoustic waves frequency shift a frequency of light passing through the focus, thereby creating a frequency shifted light beam; at least one spatial light modulator (SLM) positioned to illuminate the sample with an output beam that is an optical phase conjugate of the frequency shifted light beam, wherein the output beam is a reflection of a first reference beam off one or more pixels of the SLM, and the pixels are for modulating the first reference beam to create the output beam; and a detector positioned to detect fluorescence generated by the output beam exciting the fluorescent agents at the focus in the sample, thereby imaging the sample.

Abstract: A 4-Pi microscope for imaging a sample, comprising a first objective for focusing a first light beam on the sample at a spatial point one or more Digital Optical Phase Conjugation (DOPC) devices, wherein the DOPC devices include a sensor for detecting the first light beam that has been transmitted through the sample and inputted on the sensor; and a spatial light modulator (SLM) for outputting, in response to the first light beam detected by the sensor, a second light beam that is an optical phase conjugate of the first light beam; and a second objective positioned to transmit the first light beam to the sensor and focus the second light beam on the sample at the spatial point, so that the first light beam and the second light beam are counter-propagating and both focused to the spatial point.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to holographically illuminated imaging devices including a holographic element for transforming an illumination beam into a focal array of light spots, a scanning mechanism for moving an object across one or more light spots in the focal array of light spots, and a light detector for detecting light associated with the focal array of light spots and generating light data associated with the received light.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a surface wave enabled darkfield aperture structure comprising an aperture layer, a aperture in the aperture layer and a plurality of grooves around the aperture. The aperture layer has a first and second surface. The plurality of grooves is in the first surface. A surface wave propagates along at least the first surface. The plurality of grooves is configured to generate a darkfield at the aperture by modifying the surface wave to cancel out direct transmission of a uniform incident light field received by the aperture.