An integral imaging method for depth extraction with lens array in an optical tweezer system

In this paper, a new integral imaging method is proposed for depth extraction in an optical tweezer system. A mutual coherence algorithm of stereo matching are theoretically analyzed and demonstrated feasible by virtual simulation. In our design, optical tweezer technique is combined with integral imaging in a single microscopy system by inserting a lens array into the optical train. On one hand, the optical tweezer subsystem is built based on the modulated light field from a solid laser, and the strong focused beam forms a light trap to capture tiny specimens. On the other hand, through parameters optimization, the microscopic integral imaging subsystem is composed of a microscope objective, a lens array (150x150 array with 0.192mm unit size and 9mm focal length) and a single lens reflex (SLR). Pre-magnified by the microscope objective, the specimens formed multiple images through the lens array. A single photograph of a series of multiple sub-images has recorded perspective views of the specimens. The differences between adjacent sub-images have been analyzed for depth extraction with the mutual coherence algorithm. The experimental results show that the axial resolution can reach to 1 mu m(-1) and lateral resolution can reach to 2 mu m(-1).