Wavefront shaping using thermo-optics

We recently proposed a new wavefront shaping concept, coined as Smartlens, in which the phase of the transmitted light is shaped by engineering the temperature landscape in a thermo-optical material. Individually or in arrays, these microscale devices can generate complex functions based on either pure, or a combination of, Zernike polynomials, including lenses or electrically-tuneable aberration correctors. We will see how this concept could complement the existing optical shaping toolbox by offering low-chromatic-aberration, polarization-insensitive and transmission-mode micro-components. I will then delve into the potential of a single reconfigurable Smartlens to embed adaptive optics within a fluorescence endoscope. Finally, I will show that a Smartlens Array can enable multiplane Ca2+ or voltage imaging in Zebrafish at KHz frame rates.