Confocal microscopy through a multimode fiber using optical correlation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method for confocal imaging through multimode fibers by measuring the transmission matrix and using optical correlation to achieve spatially selective detection.

Contribution

It presents a new approach combining transmission matrix measurement and optical correlation for confocal microscopy through multimode fibers.

Findings

Successful imaging of microbeads, epithelial cells, and cover glass.

Achieved spatial selectivity in detection.

Demonstrated feasibility of confocal imaging via multimode fiber.

Abstract

We report on a method to obtain confocal imaging through multimode fibers using optical correlation. First, we measure the fiber's transmission matrix in a calibration step. This allows us to create focused spots at one end of the fiber by shaping the wavefront sent into it from the opposite end. These spots are scanned over a sample, and the light coming back from the sample via the fiber is optically correlated with the input pattern. We show that this achieves spatial selectivity in the detection. The technique is demonstrated on microbeads, a dried epithelial cell, and a cover glass.