3D phase-shifting fringe projection system on the basis of a tailored free-form mirror.

Phase-shifting fringe projection is an effective method to perform 3D shape measurements. Conventionally, fringe projection systems utilize a digital projector that images fringes into the measurement plane. The performance of such systems is limited to the visible spectral range, as most projectors experience technical limitations in UV or IR spectral ranges. However, for certain applications these spectral ranges are of special interest. We present a wideband fringe projector that has been developed on the basis of a picture generating beamshaping mirror. This mirror generates a sinusoidal fringe pattern in the measurement plane without any additional optical elements. Phase shifting is realized without any mechanical movement by a multichip LED. As the system is based on a single mirror, it is wavelength-independent in a wide spectral range and therefore applicable in UV and IR spectral ranges. We present the design and a realized setup of this fringe projection system and the characterization of the generated intensity distribution. Experimental results of 3D shape measurements are presented.

Light fields with an axially expanded intensity distribution for stable three-dimensional optical trapping.

We introduce a new kind of light field to improve and simplify the trapping process of axially displaced particles. To this end we employ a light field with an axially expanded intensity distribution, which at the same time enables stable axial trapping. We present simulations of the axial intensity distribution of the novel trapping field and first experimental results, which demonstrate the improvement of the reliability of the axial trapping process. The method can be used to automate trapping of particles that are located outside of the focal plane of the microscope.

Dynamic holography using pixelated light modulators.

Dynamic holography using spatial light modulators is a very flexible technique that offers various new applications compared to static holography. We give an overview on the technical background of dynamic holography focusing on pixelated spatial light modulators and their technical restrictions, and we present a selection of the numerous applications of dynamic holography.

Fast digital hologram generation and adaptive force measurement in liquid-crystal-display-based holographic tweezers.

Computer-generated holograms in conjunction with spatial light modulators (SLMs) offer a way to dynamically generate holograms that are adapted to specific tasks. To use the full dynamic capability of the SLM, the hologram computation should be very fast. We present a method that uses the highly parallel architecture of a consumer graphics board to compute analytical holograms in video real time. A precice characterization of the SLM (Holoeye LC-R-2500) and the adaption of its settings to our near-infrared application is necessary to guarantee an efficient hologram reconstruction. The benefits of a fast computation of adapted holograms and the application of an efficient SLM are demonstrated by measuring the trapping forces of holographic tweezers.