Deep and optically resolved imaging through scattering media by space-reversed propagation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a microscopy technique combining LOFI, APT, and SA refocusing to achieve high-resolution imaging through scattering media at low power, surpassing traditional depth limitations.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel microscopy method that overcomes scattering and depth limitations using space-reversed propagation, enabling deep, high-resolution imaging with low laser power.

Findings

Achieved micrometric resolution over ~8 transport mean free paths

Demonstrated imaging beyond the microscope working distance

Operated at low laser power of 10mW

Abstract

We propose a novel technique of microscopy to overcome the effects of both scattering and limitation of the accessible depth due to the objective working distance. By combining Laser Optical Feedback Imaging (LOFI) with Acoustic Photon Taging (APT) and Synthetic Aperture (SA) refocusing we demonstrate an ultimate shot noise sensitivity at low power (required to preserve the tissues) and a high resolution beyond the microscope working distance. More precisely, with a laser power of 10mW, we obtain images with a micrometric resolution over ~8 transport mean free paths, corresponding to 1.3 times the microscope working distance. Various applications such as biomedical diagnosis, research and development of new drugs and therapies can benefit from our imaging setup.