The present invention generally extends to methods, systems, and devices that advantageously employ holograms to store and retrieve information about objects, and to compare objects. Methods include generating first and second holograms of image spectral cross sections comparing the holograms and using a photometer to analyze the comparison result. Computer program products are described for use in differentiating spectral components of spatial cross sections of image pixels.

A photostimulation apparatus includes an objective lens arranged to face a biological object, a light source configured to output light to be radiated toward the biological object via the objective lens, a shape acquisition unit configured to acquire information about a shape with a refractive index difference in the biological object, a hologram generation unit configured to generate aberration correction hologram data for correcting aberrations due to the shape with the refractive index difference on the basis of the information acquired by the shape acquisition unit, and a spatial light modulator on which a hologram based on the aberration correction hologram data is presented and which modulates the light output from the light source.

A microscope apparatus (1A) includes a biological sample table (11) that supports the biological sample (B), an objective lens (12) disposed to face the biological sample table (11), a laser light source (13) that outputs light with which the biological sample (B) is irradiated via the objective lens (12), a shape measurement unit (20) that acquires a surface shape of the biological sample (B), a control unit (40) that generates aberration correction hologram data for correcting an aberration caused by the surface shape of the biological sample (B) on the basis of information acquired in the shape measurement unit (20), a first spatial light modulator (33) to which a hologram based on the aberration correction hologram data is presented and that modulates the light output from the laser light source (31), and a photodetector (37) that detects an intensity of light to be detected (L2) generated in the biological sample (B). Thus, a microscope apparatus and an image acquisition method capable of suppressing a decrease in condensing intensity of irradiation light inside a biological sample and spreading of a condensing shape are realized.

A microscope apparatus includes an objective lens; a light source for outputting light with which a biological sample is irradiated via the objective lens; a shape acquisition unit for acquiring information on at least one of a surface shape of the biological sample and a structure directly under the surface of the biological sample; a hologram generation unit for generating aberration correction hologram data for correcting an aberration caused by the at least one on the basis of the information acquired by the shape acquisition unit; a spatial light modulator to which a hologram based on the aberration correction hologram data is presented and for modulating the light output from the light source; a photodetector for detecting an intensity of light generated in the biological sample and outputs a detection signal.

A spatial modulator is provided on a plane conjugate to a sample plane on which a sample is to be placed. The spatial modulator spatially modulates illumination light irradiated to the sample 2 or object light that has passed through or that has been reflected by the sample. A dark-field optical system removes the non-scattered light component of the first object light affected by the spatial light modulator so as to generate second object light. An image sensor records a hologram based on the second object light. A calculation processing apparatus combines complex amplitude information based on the modulation pattern supplied to the spatial light modulator and complex amplitude information based on the hologram with respect to the second object light so as to acquire a phase distribution originating from the sample.

Cryptographic techniques for encrypting images, and decrypting and reconstructing images, are provided to facilitate preventing unauthorized access to images. A holographic cryptographic component (HCC) generates complex holograms of multi-dimensional source images of a multi-dimensional object scene. The HCC generates phase holograms, based on the complex holograms, using a stochastic hologram generation process, and encrypts the phase holograms to generate encrypted holograms based on a random phase mask, which can be the private encryption key. At the decoding end, an HCC overlays a conjugate phase mask on the encrypted holograms to decrypt them, wherein the decrypted holograms are illuminated with a coherent light source to generate holographic images that reconstruct the source images. The source images are only reconstructed properly if the correct phase mask is used. If HCC applies the encryption process repetitively to the same source image, HCC can generate a different encrypted hologram in each run.

A volume holographic imaging system, apparatus, and/or method enables the projection of a two-dimensional (2D) slice of a four-dimensional (4D) probing object. A 4D probing source object is illuminated to emit or scatter an optical field. A holographic element having one or more recorded holograms receives and diffracts the optical field into a diffracted plane beam having spectral information. A 4-f telecentric relay system includes a pupil filter on the relayed conjugate plane of the volume hologram and images the pupil of the volume hologram onto the front focal plane of the collector lens. A collector lens focuses the diffracted plane beam to a 2D slice of the 4D probing source object. The focused 2D slice is projected onto a 2D imaging plane. The holographic element may have multiple multiplexed holograms that are arranged to diffract light from the corresponding slice of the 4D probing source object.

A volume holographic imaging system, apparatus, and/or method enables the projection of a two-dimensional (2D) slice of a four-dimensional (4D) probing object. A 4D probing source object is illuminated to emit or scatter an optical field. A holographic element having one or more recorded holograms receives and diffracts the optical field into a diffracted plane beam having spectral information. A 4-f telecentric relay system includes a pupil filter on the relayed conjugate plane of the volume hologram and images the pupil of the volume hologram onto the front focal plane of the collector lens. A collector lens focuses the diffracted plane beam to a 2D slice of the 4D probing source object. The focused 2D slice is projected onto a 2D imaging plane. The holographic element may have multiple multiplexed holograms that are arranged to diffract light from the corresponding slice of the 4D probing source object.

Cryptographic techniques for encrypting images, and decrypting and reconstructing images, are provided to facilitate preventing unauthorized access to images. A holographic cryptographic component (HCC) generates complex holograms of multi-dimensional source images of a multi-dimensional object scene. The HCC generates phase holograms, based on the complex holograms, using a stochastic hologram generation process, and encrypts the phase holograms to generate encrypted holograms based on a random phase mask, which can be the private encryption key. At the decoding end, an HCC overlays a conjugate phase mask on the encrypted holograms to decrypt them, wherein the decrypted holograms are illuminated with a coherent light source to generate holographic images that reconstruct the source images. The source images are only reconstructed properly if the correct phase mask is used. If HCC applies the encryption process repetitively to the same source image, HCC can generate a different encrypted hologram in each run.

A microscope apparatus includes an objective lens; a light source for outputting light with which a biological sample is irradiated via the objective lens; a shape acquisition unit for acquiring information on at least one of a surface shape of the biological sample and a structure directly under the surface of the biological sample; a hologram generation unit for generating aberration correction hologram data for correcting an aberration caused by the at least one on the basis of the information acquired by the shape acquisition unit; a spatial light modulator to which a hologram based on the aberration correction hologram data is presented and for modulating the light output from the light source; a photodetector for detecting an intensity of light generated in the biological sample and outputs a detection signal.