Hadamard-encoded scattered light imaging for faster, signal-enhanced mapping of brain fiber orientations

Journal Article (2026)
Author(s)

Dennis Scheidt (Forschungszentrum Jülich)

Felix Matuschke (Forschungszentrum Jülich)

Katrin Amunts (Forschungszentrum Jülich, Universität Düsseldorf)

Miriam Menzel (Forschungszentrum Jülich, TU Delft - Applied Sciences)

Markus Axer (Bergische Universität Wuppertal , Forschungszentrum Jülich)

Research Group
ImPhys/Menzel group
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1364/BOE.596576 Final published version
More Info
expand_more
Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Research Group
ImPhys/Menzel group
Journal title
Biomedical Optics Express
Issue number
7
Volume number
17
Pages (from-to)
3854-3876
Downloads counter
7
Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Abstract

A deeper understanding of brain function requires resolving the intricate networks formed by neurons at the microscopic scale. Imaging the connecting nerve fibers remains a significant challenge, particularly due to the difficulty of resolving crossing fibers using conventional optical imaging techniques. Computational Scattered Light Imaging (ComSLI) addresses this by using obliquely incident light to reconstruct the in-plane orientations of nerve fibers based on their scattering profiles, enabling the resolution of fiber crossings. One approach is to use an LED display as a light source, which allows for illuminating the sample by arbitrary patterns and measuring full scattering patterns as well as angular scattering profiles. However, when using an LED display instead of a high-intensity LED spot, ComSLI is limited by a low signal and acquisition times of several seconds per image. To overcome these limitations, this work introduces Hadamard basis sampling for the angular illumination patterns, allowing an increase in illumination intensity and a corresponding reduction in measurement time. Compared to standard sampling approaches, this method yields significantly sharper defined scattering peaks, resulting in enhanced angular resolution of the scattering profiles. The Hadamard-based illumination enhances the reconstruction of cortical fiber organization, overcoming a key limitation in challenging ComSLI applications and neuroscience.

Files