Achieving 3D imaging through focus stacking

Newly developed 3D reconstruction technology has many uses ranging from facial recognition, self-driving vehicles, and producing accurate models of samples. To utilize 3D reconstruction, a depth map of the sample must be generated from a series of images. This can be done using stereoscopic 3D, or in the case of a fixed camera (such as the 10ID On-Axis Microscope at NSLS-II used for this paper) through focus stacking. This paper will explain how focus stacking can be used to generate in-focus images at very shallow depth of fields, and merge these images to create depth maps and 3D models.