High-throughput hyperspectral imaging with superior resolution and optical sectioning

摘要

An imaging system includes a light source configured to illuminate a target and a camera configured to image light responsively emitted from the target and reflected from a spatial light modulator (SLM). The imaging system is configured to generate high-resolution, hyperspectral images of the target. The SLM includes a refractive layer that is chromatically dispersive and that has a refractive index that is controllable. The refractive index of the refractive layer can be controlled to vary according to a gradient such that light reflected from the SLM is chromatically dispersed and spectrographic information about the target can be captured using the camera. Such a system could be operated confocally, e.g., by incorporating a micromirror device configured to control a spatial pattern of illumination of the target and to modulate the transmission of light from the target to the camera via the SLM according to a corresponding spatial pattern.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a light source; a first camera, wherein the first camera comprises a plurality of light-sensitive elements disposed on a focal surface of the first camera; a spatial light modulator, wherein the spatial light modulator comprises a reflective layer disposed beneath a refractive layer, wherein the refractive layer is configured to have a refractive index that varies spatially across the spatial light modulator according to a controllable gradient, wherein at least the direction and magnitude of the controllable gradient are electronically controllable, and wherein the refractive layer is chromatically dispersive; and an optical system, wherein the optical system is configured to (i) direct light from the light source to a target, (ii) direct light emitted from the target in response to the light from the light source toward the spatial light modulator, and (iii) direct light emitted from the target and reflected from the spatial light modulator to the first camera such that the focal surface of the first camera is conjugate to a focal surface passing through the target.