A team of researchers at the University of Hong Kong has developed a groundbreaking microscopy technique known as AIMED (Arbitrary Illumination Microscopy with Encoded Depth) that significantly enhances the efficiency of 3D imaging in biological samples. This method reconstructs images from fewer measurements, which accelerates the imaging process while minimizing light exposure to delicate samples. Traditional multiphoton microscopy requires extensive scanning across different depths, which can be slow and damaging to biological tissues. AIMED addresses these limitations by utilizing a spatial light modulator to excite multiple layers simultaneously and applying computational algorithms to reconstruct the full 3D volume. In tests on mouse brain neuronal samples, AIMED demonstrated the ability to resolve fine structures such as dendrites and axons with a compression ratio of around 60% and required only a fraction of the optical power typically necessary. The method showed promise for increasing volumetric imaging speed by approximately eight times, making it particularly useful for studying fast biological events and minimizing photodamage. The findings were published in the journal Advanced Photonics.