Volume holographic spatial-spectral imaging systems [Invited]

In this paper, we present an overview of the recent developments in applications of volume holographic imaging techniques in microscopy. In these techniques, three-dimensional imaging incorporates multiplexed volume holographic gratings, which are formed in phenanthrenequinone poly(methyl methacrylate) (PQ-PMMA) photopolymer and act as spatial-spectral filters, to obtain multiplane images from a volumetric object without scanning. We introduce recent major roles of volume holography in different imaging modalities, including large-capacity spatial-spectral multiplane microscopy, digital holographic microscopy, and structured Talbot (or speckle) illumination fluorescence imaging. Among various imaging applications of volume holography, simultaneous multiplane fluorescence microscopy for collecting spatial-spectral information is distinct and has great potential for hyperspectral imaging. Depth selective spatial-spectral information from an object is particularly useful for designing a high-resolution microscope in real-time operation. We further discuss volume holography in particle trapping and beam shaping. In addition, we investigate future prospects of volume holography in microscopy as well as endoscopy.