Inline holographic microscopy through fiber imaging bundles (2006.09296v2)

Abstract: Fiber imaging bundles are widely used as thin, passive image conduits for miniaturised and endoscopic microscopy, particularly for confocal fluorescence imaging. Holographic microscopy through fiber bundles is more challenging; phase conjugation approaches are complex and require extensive calibration. This articles describes how simple inline holographic microscopy can be performed through an imaging bundle using a partially coherent illumination source from a multimode fiber. The sample is imaged in transmission, with the intensity hologram sampled by the bundle and transmitted to a remote camera. The hologram can then be numerically refocused for volumetric imaging, achieving a resolution of approximately 6 um over a depth range of 1 mm. The scheme does not require any complex prior calibration and hence is insensitive to bending.