Optics Seminar

Achieving in vivo optical microscopy with quality comparable to fixed samplescontinues to be challenging. We developed Spatio-Temporal Optical Coherence (STOC)Imaging, which dynamically randomizes the spatial phase relationships of the illuminatinglight to enhance image quality. When extended to three-dimensional imaging as Spatio-Temporal Optical Coherence Tomography (STOC-T), the method employs hundreds ofuncorrelated spectral interferograms to amplify ballistic photon signals while suppressingscattered photon contributions. STOC-T delivers rapid, high-contrast imaging and maintainshigh resolution at significant depths without the need for repeated measurements. In ocularimaging applications, STOC-T supports functional imaging methods such asOptoretinography (ORG), which measures photoreceptor responses to light stimuli. Weintroduced Flicker Optoretinography (f-ORG) for tracking rapid optical path-length changesunder photopic conditions, achieving reproducible sensitivity on the order of a singlenanometer in light-adapted eyes. This approach advances our understanding of retinalresponses and photopigment photo-activation processes.