Confocal microscopy through a multimode fiber using optical correlation

We report on a method to obtain confocal imaging through multimode fibers using optical correlation. First, we measure the fiber's transmission matrix in a calibration step. This allows us to create focused spots at one end of the fiber by shaping the wavefront sent into it from the opposite end. These spots are scanned over a sample, and the light returning from the sample via the fiber is optically correlated with the input pattern. We show that this achieves spatial selectivity in the detection. The technique is demonstrated on microbeads, a dried epithelial cell, and a cover glass. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America