Single-shot digital optical fluorescence phase conjugation through forward multiple-scattering samples

Abstract

Aberrations and multiple scattering in biological tissues critically distort light beams into highly complex speckle patterns. In this regard, digital optical phase conjugation (DOPC) is a promising technique enabling in-depth focusing. However, DOPC becomes challenging when using fluorescent guide stars for four main reasons: the low photon budget available, the large spectral bandwidth of the fluorescent signal, the Stokes shift between the emission and the excitation wavelength, and the absence of reference beam preventing holographic measurement. Here, we demonstrate the possibility to focus a laser beam through multiple-scattering samples by measuring speckle fields in a single acquisition step with a reference-free, high-resolution wavefront sensor. By taking advantage of the large spectral bandwidth of forward multiply scattering samples, digital fluorescence phase conjugation is achieved to focus a laser beam at the excitation wavelength while measuring the broadband speckle field arising from a micrometer-sized fluorescent bead.