METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THREE DIMENSIONAL OPTICAL IMAGING, SENSING, PARTICLE LOCALIZATION AND MANIPULATION

摘要

Embodiments include methods, systems, and/or devices that may be used to image, obtain three-dimensional information from a scene, and/or locate multiple small particles and/or objects in three dimensions. A point spread function (PSF) with a predefined three dimensional shape may be implemented to obtain high Fisher information in 3D. The PSF may be generated via a phase mask, an amplitude mask, a hologram, or a diffractive optical element. The small particles may be imaged using the 3D PSF. The images may be used to find the precise location of the object using an estimation algorithm such as maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), expectation maximization, or Bayesian methods, for example. Calibration measurements can be used to improve the theoretical model of the optical system. Fiduciary particles/targets can also be used to compensate for drift and other type of movement of the sample relative to the detector.

主权项

1. An imaging system for three dimensional localization, imaging, and/or tracking of an object, the imaging system comprising:
an optical system comprising an objective lens, wherein the optical system produces a spatially varying phase difference imposed among different components of the light coming through different parts of the objective lens to generate a three dimensional point spread function image; at least one sensor array configured to receive one or more images of an object through the optical system; and a processing module configured to provide one or more of the following functions imaging of the object, axial ranging of the object, a three dimensional estimate of a position of the object, and tracking of the object.