Widefield multifocus imaging

We are working on a multifocus imaging strategy based on the use of a simple z-splitter prism that can be assembled from off-the-shelf components. Our technique enables a widefield image stack to be distributed onto a single camera and recorded simultaneously. We exploit the volumetric nature of our image acquisition by further introducing a novel extended-volume 3D deconvolution strategy to suppress far-out-of-focus fluorescence background to significantly improve the contrast of our recorded images, conferring to our system a capacity for quasi optical sectioning. By swapping in different z-splitter configurations, we can prioritize high speed or large 3D field-of-view imaging depending on the application of interest. Moreover, our system can be readily applied to a variety of imaging modalities in addition to fluorescence, such as phase-contrast and darkfield imaging. Because of its simplicity, versatility, and performance, we believe our system will be a useful tool for general biological or biomedical imaging applications, such as phase-contrast imaging with Oblique Back-Illumination Microscopy or Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging.

  • S. Xiao, H. Gritton, H. Tseng, D. Zemel, X. Han, J. Mertz, “High-contrast multifocus microscopy with a single camera and z-splitter prism”, link
  • S. Zheng, S. Xiao, L. Kretsge, A. Cruz-Martin, J. Mertz, “Depth resolution in multifocus laser speckle contrast imaging”, Opt. Lett. 46, 5059-5062 (2021). link
  • S. Xiao, S. Zheng, J. Mertz, “High-speed multifocus phase imaging in thick tissue”, Biomed. Opt. Exp. 12, 5782-5792 (2021). link
Fluorescent C-elegans without and with deconvolution (color = depth)
Philodina (video rate)