Open AccessSimple differential digital confocal aperture to improve axial response of line-scanning confocal microendoscopes
Author(s) -
Yubo Tang,
Alex Kortum,
Imran S. Vohra,
Jennifer Carns,
Sharmila Anandasabapathy,
Rebecca RichardsKortum
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
optics letters/optics index
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.524
H-Index - 272
eISSN - 1071-2763
pISSN - 0146-9592
DOI - 10.1364/ol.44.004519
Subject(s) - optics , confocal , confocal microscopy , materials science , physics
Line-scanning confocal microendoscopy offers video-rate cellular imaging of scattering tissue with relatively simple hardware, but its axial response is inferior to that of point-scanning systems. Based on Fourier optics theory, we designed differential confocal apertures with a simple subtraction technique to improve the line-scanning sectioning performance. Taking advantage of digital slit apertures on a digital light projector and a CMOS rolling shutter, we demonstrate real-time optical sectioning performance comparable to point scanning in a dual-camera microendoscope (<$6,000). We validate the background rejection capability when imaging porcine columnar epithelium stained with fluorescent contrast agents with different uptake mechanisms and staining properties.