Diffraction phase microscopy for quantifying cell structure and dynamics

We have developed diffraction phase microscopy as a new technique for quantitative phase imaging of biological structures. The method combines the principles of common path interferometry and single-shot phase imaging and is characterized by subnanometer path-length stability and millisecond-scale acquisition time. The potential of the technique for quantifying nanoscale motions in live cells is demonstrated by experiments on red blood cells.     

Jones phase microscopy of transparent and anisotropic samples

We developed an interferometric microscopy technique, referred to as Jones phase microscopy, capable of extracting the spatially resolved Jones polarization matrix associated with transparent and anisotropic samples. This is a generalization of quantitative phase imaging, which is recovered from one diagonal element of the measured matrix. The principle of the technique is demonstrated with measurements of a liquid crystal spatial light modulator and the potential for live cell imaging with experiments on live neurons in culture.     

High-resolution optical coherence microscopy for high-speed, in vivo cellular imaging

Optical coherence microscopy (OCM) is demonstrated with a high-speed, broadband, reflective-grating phase modulator and a femtosecond Ti:Al2O3 laser. The novel system design permits high-resolution OCM imaging in a new operating regime in which a short coherence gate is used to relax the requirement for high-numerical-aperture confocal axial sectioning. In vivo cellular imaging is demonstrated in the Xenopus laevis tadpole and in human skin with a 3-microm coherence gate and a 30-microm confocal gate. The ability to achieve cellular imaging with a lower numerical aperture should facilitate the development of miniaturized probes for in vivo imaging applications.     

Full-field swept-source phase microscopy

We present a full-field phase microscopy technique for quantitative nanoscale surface profiling of samples in reflection. This technique utilizes swept-source optical coherence tomography in a full-field common path interferometer for phase-stable cross-sectional acquisition without scanning. Subwavelength variations in surface sample features are measured without interference from spurious reflections by processing the interferometric phase at a selected depth plane, providing a 1.3 nm stability for high signal-to-noise ratio surface features. Nanoscale imaging was demonstrated by measuring the location of receptor sites on a DNA assay biochip and the surface topography of erythrocytes in a blood smear.     

Spectral-domain differential interference contrast microscopy

We present a fiber-optic low-coherence imaging technique, termed spectral-domain differential interference contrast microscopy (SD-DIC), for quantitative DIC imaging of both reflective surfaces and transparent biological specimens. SD-DIC combines the common-path nature of a Nomarski DIC interferometer with the high sensitivity of spectral-domain low-coherence interferometry to obtain high-resolution, quantitative measurements of optical pathlength gradients from a single point on the sample. Full-field imaging can be achieved by scanning the sample. A reflected-light SD-DIC system was demonstrated using a USAF resolution target as the phase object. Live cardiomyocytes were also imaged, achieving a resolution of 36 pm for pathlength gradient measurements. The dynamics of cardiomyocyte contraction were recorded with high sensitivity at selected sites on the cells.     

基于双螺旋点扩散函数工程的多焦点图像扫描显微

在传统共聚焦显微技术的基础上,图像扫描显微技术使用面阵探测器来代替单点探测器,结合虚拟数字针孔并利用像素重定位和解卷积图像重构算法将传统宽场显微镜的分辨率提高一倍,实现了高信噪比的超分辨共焦成像.但是,由于采用逐点扫描的方式,三维成像速度相对较慢,限制了其在活体样品成像中的应用.为了进一步提高图像扫描显微术的成像速度,本文提出了一种基于双螺旋点扩散函数工程的多焦点图像扫描显微成像方法和系统.在照明光路中,利用高速数字微镜器件产生周期分布的聚焦点阵对样品进行并行激发和快速二维扫描;在探测光路中,利用双螺旋相位片将激发点荧光信号的强度分布转换为双螺旋的形式;最终,利用后期数字重聚焦处理,从单次样品扫描数据中重构出多个样品层的超分辨宽场图像.在此基础上,利用搭建的系统分别对纤维状肌动蛋白和海拉细胞线粒体进行成像实验,证明了该方法的超分辨能力和快速三维成像能力.     

基于双边拟合的高稳定性共焦拉曼光谱定焦方法

共焦拉曼光谱技术可实现定量、无损、无需标记的样品微区“分子结构特征和物质组成信息”成像,被广泛应用于生物医学、物理化学以及材料科学等领域。由于共焦拉曼系统采用“点”激发和“点”探测的探测机制,且拉曼散射光谱信号微弱,导致成像所需时间可长达数小时甚至数十小时;测量过程中系统极易受环境变化、空气扰动等因素影响产生漂移,造成被测样品离焦,从而导致成像质量不稳定。针对现有共焦拉曼系统对样品定焦能力不足、样品易产生离焦误差、系统漂移大等问题,本文提出了一种基于双边拟合的高稳定性共焦拉曼光谱定焦方法。该方法首先对共焦拉曼光谱强度轴向响应曲线两侧对样品离焦敏感的数据区间分别进行线性拟合,得到两条拟合直线方程;然后,将所得的两条直线方程相减得到新的差分直线;最后,通过差分直线的过零点位置确定系统焦平面位置,实现了被测样品的高精度定焦,消除了离焦对系统测量结果的影响。以单晶硅表面同一位置,轴向扫描步距100 nm,进行60次重复定焦实验,实验获得的重复定焦极差为80.2 nm,说明系统具有良好的抗漂移能力。对周期5 μm的竖条栅格标准原子力台阶样品进行拉曼mapping成像测试,结果表明在长时间的成像过程中,和无定焦功能的图像相比,该方法获得的竖条栅格图像更清晰、边缘更锐利、信噪比较好。仿真分析和实验结果表明：提出的基于双边拟合共焦拉曼光谱探测方法可以提高系统的定焦准确度,抑制干扰因素导致的系统离焦对成像质量的影响,进而确保了系统探测的稳定性和成像分辨力,是一种自动定焦、抗漂移的拉曼光谱成像方法。     

光纤共焦扫描显微术用于光盘盘基预刻槽结构的检测

基于共焦扫描差分术,提出了检测不同表面反射率的物体表面表貌的方法,并提出了在光纤共焦扫描成像术中利用边缘判据进行边缘定位的极限尺度。上述思想用于检测光盘盘基预刻槽形结构,在建立的一套光纤共焦扫描成像装置上进行了光盘盘基预刻槽结构的检测,获得了槽宽、槽间距及槽深等实验数据,与槽标准参数相符。     

Spectral-domain optical coherence phase microscopy for quantitative phase-contrast imaging

We describe a novel microscopy technique for quantitative phase-contrast imaging of a transparent specimen. The technique is based on depth-resolved phase information provided by common path spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and can measure minute phase variations caused by changes in refractive index and thickness inside the specimen. We demonstrate subnanometer level path-length sensitivity and present images obtained on reflection from a known phase object and human epithelial cheek cells.     

Imaging theory of nonlinear second harmonic and third harmonic generations in confocal microscopy

ItisreportedrecentlythatnonlinearopticalphenomenonofSHGandTHGhasbeenobservedinmanybiologicaltissues[16].SHGandTHGhavebeenusedtoperformthethree-dimensionalimaginginlivingtissuesandhaveattractedmuchattentionrecently.TherearemanyadvantagesofusingSHGandTHGtoperformthethree-dimensionalimaginginlivingtissues,suchasnoninvasiveandnophotobleaching,inadditiontotheimagingpropertiesofmulti-photonfluorescenceimaging[7—9].Firstly,unlikeinthesingle-andmulti-photonfluorescenceprocesses,onlyvirtualstat…     

Theoretical investigation on Raman induced kerr effect spectroscopy in nonlinear confocal microscopy

The imaging theory of Raman induced Kerr effect spectroscopy (RIKES) in nonlinear confocal microscopy is presented in this paper. Three-dimensional point spread function (3D-PSF) of RIKES nonlinear confocal microscopy in isotropic media is derived with Fourier imaging theory and RIKES theory. The impact of nonlinear property of RIKES on the spatial resolution and imaging properties of confocal microscopy have been analyzed in detail. It is proved that RIKES nonlinear confocal microscopy can simultaneously provide more information than two-photon confocal microscopy concerning molecular vibration mode, vibration orientation and optically induced molecular reorientation, etc. It is shown that RIKES nonlinear confocal microscopy significantly enhances the spatial resolution and imaging quality of confocal microscopy and achieves much higher resolution than that of two-photon confocal microscopy.     

Spatial modulation microscopy for real-time imaging of plasmonic nanoparticles and cells

Spatial modulation microscopy (SMM) is a technique originally developed for quantitative spectroscopy of individual nano-objects. Here, a parallel implementation of the SMM technique is demonstrated based on a line detector capable of demodulation at kHz frequencies. The capabilities of the imaging system are shown using an array of plasmonic nanoantennas and dendritic cells incubated with gold nanoparticles.     

High-resolution quantitative phase microscopic imaging in deep UV with phase retrieval

High-resolution three-dimensional (3D) microscopic imaging requires the use of short wavelengths. Quantitative 3D imaging techniques, such as digital holographic microscopy, require interference between the object beam and a known reference background for the extraction of phase information. At shorter wavelengths, due to short coherence lengths, it may be difficult to implement a two-beam off-axis setup. Thus, a single-beam technique, which provides complete phase information, may be better suited for short wavelengths. This Letter describes the development of a quantitative microscopy technique at 193 nm using multiple intensity samplings and phase retrieval.     

Stimulated emission depletion microscopy with a supercontinuum source and fluorescence lifetime imaging

We demonstrate stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy implemented in a laser scanning confocal microscope using excitation light derived from supercontinuum generation in a microstructured optical fiber. Images with resolution improvement beyond the far-field diffraction limit in both the lateral and axial directions were acquired by scanning overlapped excitation and depletion beams in two dimensions using the flying spot scanner of a commercially available laser scanning confocal microscope. The spatial properties of the depletion beam were controlled holographically using a programmable spatial light modulator, which can rapidly change between different STED imaging modes and also compensate for aberrations in the optical path. STED fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy is demonstrated through the use of time-correlated single photon counting.     

Fringe projection based quantitative 3D microscopy

A fringe projection based quantitative three-dimensional microscopy (FP-3DM) is presented. The image formation for FP-3DM is formulated based on a concept of active micro stereovision. The problem of point correspondences in active stereo imaging can be solved with help of the phase measuring technique. A prototype of the FP-3DM is also established and calibration strategy for proposed FP-3DM is suggested. Some preliminary experiment results are also presented to verify this approach. The FP-3DM can provide quantitative 3D micro imaging especially for quantitative characterization of 3D microstructures.     

Spectrally encoded slit confocal microscopy

A simple and cost-effective method for real-time imaging in confocal microscopy is proposed. Spectrally encoded slit confocal microscopy (SESCoM) uses a spectral encoding technique together with a confocal slit aperture to achieve two-dimensional images. Simulation and experimental results of the SESCoM's axial and lateral performances are presented. The measured FWHM of the axial response is 1.15 mum when an objective with a NA of 0.95 is used. FWHMs of the lateral line spread functions are measured to be 236 and 244 nm along the x and y directions, respectively. Both the axial and the lateral experimental results agree well with the simulation results.     

Resolution limits of microscopy through scattering layers

The combination of confocal microscopy and suitable correlation methods with short light pulses is shown to enable imaging with micrometer resolution through scattering media with potential applications in biology and medicine. Experimental and theoretical investigations are presented describing fundamental limits of this imaging technique.     

High-contrast microscopy of semiconductor and metal sites in integrated circuits by detection of optical feedback

High-contrast microscopy of semiconductor and metal sites in integrated circuits is demonstrated with laser-scanning confocal reflectance microscopy, one-photon (1P) optical-beam-induced current (OBIC) imaging, and detection of optical feedback by means of a commercially available semiconductor laser that also acts as an excitation source. The confocal microscope has a compact in-line arrangement with no external photodetector. Confocal and 1P OBIC images are obtained simultaneously from the same focused beam scanned across the sample plane. Image pairs are processed to generate exclusive high-contrast distributions of semiconductor, metal, and dielectric sites in a GaAs photodiode array sample.     

Improving contrast and sectioning power in confocal imaging by third harmonic generation in SiOx nanocrystallites

We present a new optical microscope in which the light transmitted by a sample-scanned transmission confocal microscope is frequency-tripled by SiOx nanocrystallites in lieu of being transmitted by a confocal pinhole. This imaging technique offers an increased contrast and a high scattered light rejection. It is demonstrated that the contrast close to the Sparrow resolution limit is enhanced and the sectioning power are increased with respect to the linear confocal detection mode. An experimental implementation is presented and compared with the conventional linear confocal mode.     

Resolution enhancement by subtraction of confocal signals taken at different pinhole sizes

Subtractive imaging in confocal fluorescence light microscopy is based on the subtraction of a suitably weighted widefield image from a confocal image. An approximation to a widefield image can be obtained by detection with an opened confocal pinhole. The subtraction of images enhances the resolution in-plane as well as along the optic axis. Due to the linearity of the approach, the effect of subtractive imaging in Fourier-space corresponds to a reduction of low spatial frequency contributions leading to a relative enhancement of the high frequencies. Along the direction of the optic axis this also results in an improved sectioning. Image processing can achieve a similar effect. However, a 3D volume dataset must be acquired and processed, yielding a result essentially identical to subtractive imaging but superior in signal-to-noise ratio. The latter can be increased further with the technique of weighted averaging in Fourier-space. A comparison of 2D and 3D experimental data analysed with subtractive imaging, the equivalent Fourier-space processing of the confocal data only, and Fourier-space weighted averaging is presented.