title: Fundamentals of optical imaging.
abstract: Optical imaging techniques offer simplistic while highly sensitive modalities for molecular imaging research. In this chapter, the major instrumental necessities for microscopic and whole-animal imaging techniques are introduced. Subsequently, the resulting imaging modalities using visible or near-infrared light are presented and discussed. The aim is to show the current capabilities and application fields of optics.
authors.affiliation: Helmholtz Zentrum München Institut für Biologische und Medizinische Bildgebung, Ingolstadter Landstrasse 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany. ralf.schulz@helmholtz-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Ralf B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: Wolfhard
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Semmler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008857:Microscopy, Interference; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000295:instrumentation; D017785:Photons; D041622:Tomography, Optical