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Resonant mirrors introduce large spectral gradients in reflected phase while maintaining high reflectivity, allowing synthesis of optimized reflected phase for many practical applications. In this paper we show theoretically that asymmetry is required for negative group delay in lossless mirrors and explore the limits of reflected phase in resonant mirrors through the use of coupled mode theory and rigorous couple wave analysis. Our coupled mode theory shows that the phase response of resonant mirrors is determined by interacting resonances and gives insight into tradeoffs in design of mirrors with desired phase response.

We report on the fabrication of 2-D photonic crystal (PC) micro-mirrors, and Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) simulations and measurements of their reflectance spectra and polarization dependence at normal incidence. The PC mirrors were fabricated in free-standing thin polysilicon membranes supported by silicon nitride films for stress compensation. Greater than 90% reflectivity is measured over a wavelength range of 35 nm from 1565 nm to 1600 nm with small polarization dependence. Our FDTD simulations show that fabrication errors on the order of tens of nanometers can strongly affect the reflection spectra. When the fabrication errors are kept below this level, FDTD simulations on perfectly periodic structures accurately predict the reflection spectra of the fabricated PC mirrors, despite their sensitivity to the fabrication errors.

Near-infrared confocal microendoscopy is a promising technique for deep in vivo imaging of tissues and can generate high-resolution cross-sectional images at the micron-scale. We demonstrate the use of a dual-axis confocal (DAC) near-infrared fluorescence microendoscope with a 5.5-mm outer diameter for obtaining clinical images of human colorectal mucosa. High-speed two-dimensional en face scanning was achieved through a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scanner while a micromotor was used for adjusting the axial focus. In vivo images of human patients are collected at 5 frames/sec with a field of view of 362×212 μm(2) and a maximum imaging depth of 140 μm. During routine endoscopy, indocyanine green (ICG) was topically applied a nonspecific optical contrasting agent to regions of the human colon. The DAC microendoscope was then used to obtain microanatomic images of the mucosa by detecting near-infrared fluorescence from ICG. These results suggest that DAC microendoscopy may have utility for visualizing the anatomical and, perhaps, functional changes associated with colorectal pathology for the early detection of colorectal cancer.

A fluorescence confocal microscope incorporating a 1.8-mm-diam gradient-index relay lens is developed for in vivo histological guidance during resection of brain tumors. The microscope utilizes a dual-axis confocal architecture to efficiently reject out-of-focus light for high-contrast optical sectioning. A biaxial microelectromechanical system (MEMS) scanning mirror is actuated at resonance along each axis to achieve a large field of view with low-voltage waveforms. The unstable Lissajous scan, which results from actuating the orthogonal axes of the MEMS mirror at highly disparate resonance frequencies, is optimized to fully sample 500x500 pixels at two frames per second. Optically sectioned fluorescence images of brain tissues are obtained in living mice to demonstrate the utility of this microscope for image-guided resections.

We present a two-photon microscope that is approximately 2.9 g in mass and 2.0 x 1.9 x 1.1 cm(3) in size and based on a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) laser-scanning mirror. The microscope has a focusing motor and a micro-optical assembly composed of four gradient refractive index lenses and a dichroic microprism. Fluorescence is captured without the detected emissions reflecting off the MEMS mirror, by use of separate optical fibers for fluorescence collection and delivery of ultrashort excitation pulses. Using this microscope we imaged neocortical microvasculature and tracked the flow of erythrocytes in live mice.

Towards overcoming the size limitations of conventional two-photon fluorescence microscopy, we introduce two-photon imaging based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) scanners. Single crystalline silicon scanning mirrors that are 0.75 mm x 0.75 mm in size and driven in two dimensions by microfabricated vertical comb electrostatic actuators can provide optical deflection angles through a range of approximately16 degrees . Using such scanners we demonstrated two-photon microscopy and microendoscopy with fast-axis acquisition rates up to 3.52 kHz.