arXiv subjects

Nick Stone

Publications and source records attributed to Nick Stone.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Real-time THz ptychography using an optically modulated aperture

Ptychography allows ordinary cameras to perform both quantitative phase and intensity imaging. However, the requirement for relative object to probe motion and high measurement count significantly limits imaging speed and application scope. In this work, we introduce optically modulated aperture ptychography, using a silicon photomodulator as a rapidly reconfigurable aperture, deployable across the microwave, millimeter wave and terahertz bands. We demonstrate experimentally at ~ 0.1 THz real-time ptychographic image capture, without moving parts. Furthermore, a reconfigurable aperture facilitates diverse and spatially multiplexed probes. We use a multiplexed known-probe reconstruction strategy that improves signal-to-noise ratio and increases the information content per measurement, enabling the capture of fluid dynamics at 16 fps. Our optical modulation approach enables high-throughput ptychographic imaging of dynamic samples, for applications such as non-destructive evaluation and in-vivo biomedical imaging.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2026

A microwave super-resolution imaging approach towards breast cancer margin mapping

Accurate characterisation of margins in excised breast cancer tumours is critical to the success of surgical interventions. Yet margin status is typically confirmed post-operatively using histopathology. Here we present a microwave single pixel imaging technique designed for use in intraoperative margin assessment. By leveraging the photo-induced change in microwave transparency of a silicon modulator placed under the sample, we map the microwave reflectivity of tissue-mimicking phantoms with deeply sub-wavelength resolution, allowing hydration mapping across large areas (10 x 10 cm) at ~1 mm resolution. We evaluate the discriminatory capability of our method using gelatine-based tumour phantoms with water-content variations designed to mimic the contrast between malignant tissue and tumour margins in resected breast specimens. We demonstrate the capability to identify, locate and quantify inadequate margins up to the typically targeted minimum thickness of 2 mm. Furthermore, using numerical modelling, we show that our approach is expected to be resilient to patient-specific tissue differences. These results establish microwave single-pixel imaging as a promising route towards real-time intraoperative assessment of margins in excised breast tumours.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Monitoring the refractive index of tissue models using light scattering spectroscopy

In this work, we report the application of Raman microspectroscopy for analysis of the refractive index of a range of tissue phantoms. Using both a custom-developed setup with visible laser source and a commercial micro-spectrometer with near infrared laser, we measured the Raman spectra of gelatin hydrogels at various concentrations. By building a calibration curve from measured refractometry data and Raman scattering intensity for different vibrational modes of the hydrogel, we determined the refractive indices of the gels from their Raman spectra, with approximately the same accuracy as that of refractometry measurements with an Abbe refractometer. This work highlights the importance of a correlative approach through Brillouin-Raman microspectroscopy for the mechano-chemical analysis of biologically relevant samples.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2019

Brillouin-derived viscoelastic parameters of hydrogel tissue models

Many problems in mechanobiology urgently require characterisation of the micromechanical properties of the fibrous proteins of cells and tissues. Brillouin light scattering has been proposed as a new optical elastography technique to meet this need, but the information contained in the Brillouin spectrum is still a matter of debate. Here we investigate this question using gelatin as a model system in which the macroscopic physical properties can be manipulated to mimic all the relevant biological states of matter, ranging from the liquid to the gel and the glassy phase. We demonstrate that Brillouin spectroscopy is a powerful tool to reveal both the elastic and viscous properties of biomaterials that are central to their biological functions.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2018

Enhanced deep detection of Raman scattered light by wavefront shaping

Light scattering limits the penetration depth of non-invasive Raman spectroscopy in biological media. While safe levels of irradiation may be adequate to analyze superficial tissue, scattering of the pump beam reduces the Raman signal to undetectable levels deeper within the tissue. Here we demonstrate how wavefront shaping techniques can significantly increase the Raman signal at depth, while keeping the total irradiance constant, thus increasing the amount of Raman signal available for detection.

physics.optics↗