2025/01/21 by Naoki Fukutake, Fukutake, Naoki, Shuichi Makita +3 · 1 citation
Engineering · #FOS: Physical sciences #Optical Coherence Tomography Applications #Optics (physics.optics)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2501.12270
openalex publication_date 2025/01/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We construct an image formation theory that covers the majority of optical microscopy techniques that use diverse coherent or incoherent light-matter interactions. The theories of individual microscopy methods could not previously be connected with other systems because of the absence of a common theoretical framework. Using the general principles of quantum physics and applying a four-dimensional representation, we unify the image formation theories of optical systems ranging from classical microscopy to cutting-edge instruments into a single framework in which light is replaced with quantum fields and the interactions are represented using double-sided Feynman diagrams. Our universal methodology requires a four-dimensional aperture that enables sufficient understanding of the associations between the different imaging types and interprets image formation appropriately for all systems, including optical coherence tomography.