Tohoku University Technology: Real-time 3D optical imaging: T15-198,T17-106,T21-072

High speed, video-rate 3D imaging with a high spatial resolution like confocal microscopes

Various 3D imaging methods including X-ray CT, ultrasonography,and confocal laser scanning microscopy are employed in industrial applications, depending on its usage. However, X-ray CT requires the rotation of a light source or the irradiation area to acquire 3D images, which makes rapid imaging difficult. Ultrasonographyenables 3D measurement using 2D array elements but suffers from limited spatial resolution. In addition, confocal laser scanning microscopy requires the sequential acquisition of 2D images while moving the observation plane, which makes 3D observation at video rate impossible. 　In recent years, 3D cameras and OCT are known as emerging 3D image acquisition techniques. However, the camera-based technique exploiting patterned- or line-illuminations provides limited spatial resolution, and it cannot visualize the internal information of samples. Besides, OCT is, in principle, applicable to reflected light signals only and impossible to measure fluorescence signals.A series of inventions solves the above issues and provides an imaging method with a simple implementation that enables the acquisition of precise 3D images in real-time.

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