  Ankylography is a new 3D imaging technique, which, under certain
circumstances, enables reconstruction of a 3D object from a single sample
orientation. Here, we provide a matrix rank analysis to explain the principle
of ankylography. We then present an ankylography experiment on a microscale
phase object using an optical laser. Coherent diffraction patterns are acquired
from the phase object using a planar CCD detector and are projected onto a
spherical shell. The 3D structure of the object is directly reconstructed from
the spherical diffraction pattern. This work may potentially open the door to a
new method for 3D imaging of phase objects in the visible light region.
Finally, the extension of ankylography to more complicated and larger objects
is suggested.
