Adaptive Optics for Biological Imaging

Written by international leaders in the field, this comprehensive reference presents a complete overview of the core principles, state-of-the-art methods, and emerging applications of adaptive optics in biological imaging. It emphasizes the use of adaptive optics to correct wavefront aberrations caused by light propagation in biological samples. Accessible to readers without a background in optics, the book describes the fundamentals, components, and systems used in adaptive optics. It also covers optics systems as well as newer applications in this rapidly expanding field.

Adaptive Optics for Biological Imaging brings together groundbreaking research on the use of adaptive optics for biological imaging. The book builds on prior work in astronomy and vision science. Featuring contributions by leaders in this emerging field, it takes an interdisciplinary approach that makes the subject accessible to nonspecialists who want to use adaptive optics techniques in their own work in biology and bioengineering.

Organized into three parts, the book covers principles, methods, and applications of adaptive optics for biological imaging, providing the reader with the following benefits:

• Gives a general overview of applied optics, including definitions and vocabulary, to lay a foundation for clearer communication across disciplines
• Explains what kinds of optical aberrations arise in imaging through various biological tissues, and what technology can be used to correct for these aberrations
• Explores research done with a variety of biological samples and imaging instruments, including wide-field, confocal, and two-photon microscopes
• Discusses both indirect wavefront sensing, which uses an iterative approach, and direct wavefront sensing, which uses a parallel approach

Since the sample is an integral part of the optical system in biological imaging, the field will benefit from participation by biologists and biomedical researchers with expertise in applied optics. This book helps lower the barriers to entry for these researchers. It also guides readers in selecting the approach that works best for their own applications.