Quantitative phase contrast imaging using common-path in-line digital holography

We propose a method to carry out quantitative phase contrast imaging using in-line digital holography. The phase shifting digital holography is implemented in a common-path in-line configuration with the help of diffraction from a phase grating displayed on a spatial light modulator. The phase shifted interferograms are recorded by shifting the grating within a selected area corresponding to the dc spot in the Fourier transform plane. The feasibility of method is verified by using a multimode fiber as phase object. The method addresses a number of challenges faced by existing methods and dispenses the need for special optics.     

Differential phase contrast in optical coherence tomography

We report on a modification of optical coherence tomography (OCT) that allows one to measure small phase differences between beams traversing adjacent areas of a specimen. The sample beam of a polarization-sensitive low-coherence interferometer is split by a Wollaston prism into two components that traverse the object along closely spaced paths. After reflection at the various sample surfaces, the beams are recombined at the Wollaston prism. Any phase difference encountered between the two beams is converted into a change of polarization state of the recombined beam. This change is measured, and the resulting signals are converted to differential phase-contrast OCT images. The first images obtained from simple test objects allowed us to determine path-difference gradients with a resolution of the order of 5 x 10(-5) .     

Laser projection using generalized phase contrast

We demonstrate experimental laser projection of a gray-level photographic image with 74% light efficiency using the generalized phase contrast (GPC) method. In contrast with a previously proposed technique [Alonzo, New J. Phys. 9, 132 (2007)], a new approach to image construction via GPC is introduced. An arbitrary phase shift filter eliminates the need for high-frequency modulation and conjugate phase encoding. This lowers device performance requirements and allows practical implementation with currently available dynamic spatial light modulators.     

Quantitative phase retrieval in X‐ray Zernike phase contrast microscopy

In recent years, increasing attention has been devoted to X‐ray phase contrast imaging, since it can provide high‐contrast images by using phase variations. Among the different existing techniques, Zernike phase contrast microscopy is one of the most popular phase‐sensitive techniques for investigating the fine structure of the sample at high spatial resolution. In X‐ray Zernike phase contrast microscopy, the image contrast is indeed a mixture of absorption and phase contrast. Therefore, this technique just provides qualitative information on the object, which makes the interpretation of the image difficult. In this contribution, an approach is proposed for quantitative phase retrieval in X‐ray Zernike phase contrast microscopy. By shifting the phase of the direct light by π/2 and 3π/2, two images of the same object are measured successively. The phase information of the object can then be quantitatively retrieved by a proper combination of the measured images. Numerical experiments were carried out and the results confirmed the feasibility of the proposed method. It is expected that the proposed method will find widespread applications in biology, materials science and so on.     

X射线相衬成像法在线表征冷冻靶技术

阐述了冷冻靶类球面物体X射线相衬成像机理;Tracepro软件模拟研究证明了X射线相衬成像法能用于冷冻靶燃料层参数的表征;研制了在线表征冷冻靶的X射线相衬成像实验装置,利用该装置开展了二乙烯基苯泡沫球壳及实际氘氘冷冻靶的X射线相衬成像实验研究,获得了玻璃微球内氘氘冷冻层X射线相衬图像,成像分辨力达1.5 m;利用X射线相衬成像法可同时表征烧蚀球壳及冷冻燃料层,为惯性约束聚变实验提供冷冻靶参数。     

Phase contrast enhancement in microscopy using spiral phase filtering

We demonstrate two methods based on Fourier plane filtering using (a) a fractional spiral phase plate (SPP) and (b) an off-axial SPP for phase contrast enhancement in optical microscopy. In comparison to previous works, a spatially incoherent LED is used in the Köhler illumination as the light source to illuminate the biological specimen. We demonstrate that both these methods can transform the phase specimen into a relief-like view even under such illumination. The degree and orientation of enhancement can be controlled by changing the phase structure of the filter. The SPP is displayed on a phase-only spatial light modulator, and can be integrated into the optical path of standard microscopes.     

Single shot phase contrast imaging using laser-produced Betatron x-ray beams

Development of x-ray phase contrast imaging applications with a laboratory scale source have been limited by the long exposure time needed to obtain one image. We demonstrate, using the Betatron x-ray radiation produced when electrons are accelerated and wiggled in the laser-wakefield cavity, that a high-quality phase contrast image of a complex object (here, a bee), located in air, can be obtained with a single laser shot. The Betatron x-ray source used in this proof of principle experiment has a source diameter of 1.7 μm and produces a synchrotron spectrum with critical energy E(c)=12.3±2.5 keV and 10? photons per shot in the whole spectrum.     

Compact Zernike phase contrast x-ray microscopy using a single-element optic

We demonstrate Zernike phase contrast in a compact soft x-ray microscope using a single-element optic. The optic is a combined imaging zone plate and a Zernike phase plate and does not require any additional alignment or components. Contrast is increased and inversed in an image of a test object using the Zernike zone plate. This type of optic may be implemented into any existing x-ray microscope where phase contrast is of interest.     

Quantitative differential phase measurement and imaging in transparent and turbid media by optical coherence tomography

Differential phase-contrast optical coherence tomography allows one to measure the path-length differences of two transversally separated beams in the nanometer range. We calculate these path-length differences from the phase functions of the interferometric signals. Pure phase objects consisting of chromium layers containing steps of approximately 100-200-nm height were imaged. Phase differences can be measured with a precision of +/-2 degrees , corresponding to a path-difference resolution of 2-3 nm. To investigate the influence of scattering, we imaged the phase objects through scattering layers with increasing scattering coefficients. The limit of phase imaging through these layers was at approximately 8-9 mean free path lengths thick (single pass).     

Quantitative phase imaging using actively stabilized phase-shifting low-coherence interferometry

We describe a quantitative phase-imaging interferometer in which phase shifting and noise cancellation are performed by an active feedback loop using a reference laser. Depth gating via low-coherence light allows phase measurement from weakly reflecting biological samples. We demonstrate phase images from a test structure and living cells.     

Real-time color-flow MRI at 3 T using variable-density spiral phase contrast

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate and evaluate the performance of real-time color-flow MRI at 3 T using variable-density spiral (VDS) phase contrast. Spiral phase contrast imaging was implemented within a flexible real-time interactive MRI system that provided continuous image reconstruction and an intuitive user interface. The pulse sequence consisted of a spectral-spatial excitation, bipolar gradient, spiral readout and gradient spoiler. VDSs were utilized to increase spatial and/or temporal resolution relative to uniform-density spirals (UDSs). Parameter choices were guided by specific applications. Sliding window reconstruction was used to achieve a maximum display rate of 40 frames/s. No breath-holding or gating was used. Our results demonstrated that real-time color-flow movies using UDS and VDS provided adequate visualization of intracardiac flow, carotid flow and proximal coronary flow in healthy volunteers. Average aortic outflow velocity measured at the aortic valve plane using VDS was 29.4% higher than that using UDS. Peak velocity measured in the common carotid artery using VDS was 9.8% higher than that using UDS.     

数字相衬法成像

本文给出了数字相衬法成像的技术,并对激光扫描声显微镜的数据进行了处理,结果表明数字相衬法的像比普通方法的像更好.和相位板相比,数字方法简单易行,用途广泛.     

A continuous phase plate for non-uniform illumination beam shaping using the inverse phase contrast method

This paper describes an algorithm for calculating the transmission function of a phase plate (PP) using the inverse phase contrast method. With this algorithm, calculations of a continuous PP that is less sensitive to wavelength variation can be made. A design of a continuous PP for beam shaping using the algorithm is simulated. The continuous PP can be used for beam shaping, pattern generation and light projection with a moderate bandwidth light source.     

X射线相位衬度成像

文章使用形象、生动、通俗、易懂的语言,介绍X射线相位衬度成像的基本概念,物理思想和方法,其中包括X射线的基本性质、光的波粒二象性、同步辐射X射线光源和常规非相干X射线光源的相位相干性,以及X射线相位衬度成像方法、三维成像的基本原理和相位衬度成像的最新进展,将抽象的相位、相位一阶导数和相位二阶导数概念与形象的光波阵面平移、倾斜和弯曲等形变联系在一起,着重介绍相位衬度成像发展中的创新思想,力图使读者能分享人类文明在这个学科发展中积累的精神财富.     

Accuracy characteristics for quantum process tomography using superconductor phase qubits

A method for the precision statistical control of quantum processes is developed on the basis of applications of superconductor phase qubits. A detailed analysis of tomographic accuracy for a 2-qubit SQiSW gate arising due to capacitive coupling between qubits is performed by means of universal quantum tomography. The presented approach can be used to solve problems of quality and efficiency in superconductor quantum information technologies.     

近场X射线位相衬度成像及位相恢复算法

理论分析了X射线衍射位相成像和近场位相恢复算法。定义了一个最佳成像距离，给出了基于最佳成像距离和特征空间频率的衍射场光强分布新的表达形式。基于模拟位相物体给出了数值模拟结果。由此得出了探测距离和多色辐照对相衬图像和位相恢复结果的影响。本文给出的结果将对同轴x射线相衬成像实验具有一定的指导作用。     

Spectral amplitude and phase measurement of ultrafast pulses using all-optical differential tomography

We demonstrate a simple, all-optical, fiber-based method for characterizing the spectral amplitude and phase of ultrafast pulses using a differential tomographic measurement realized via four-wave mixing. The technique is applied to subpicosecond pulses in the C-band of the telecommunication spectrum. Characterization of amplified pulses and propagation through dispersive media is demonstrated and compared with autocorrelation measurements and calculated predictions. We show how our approach can be extended to larger bandwidths in similar systems, extending tomographic reconstruction of coherent fields to nearly an octave of bandwidth while maintaining a robust, waveguide-based geometry.     

Neutron phase imaging and tomography

We report how a setup consisting of three gratings yields quantitative two- and three-dimensional images depicting the quantum-mechanical phase shifts of neutron de Broglie wave packets induced by the influence of macroscopic objects. Since our approach requires only a little spatial and chromatic coherence it provides a more than 2 orders of magnitude higher efficiency than existing techniques. This dramatically reduces the required measurement time for computed phase tomography and opens up the way for three-dimensional investigations of previously inaccessible quantum-mechanical phase interactions of neutrons with matter.     

Quantitative phase microscopy of biological samples using a portable interferometer

This Letter presents the τ interferometer, a portable and inexpensive device for obtaining spatial interferograms of microscopic biological samples without the strict stability and the highly coherent illumination that are usually required for interferometric microscopy setups. The device is built using off-the-shelf optical elements and can easily operate with low-coherence illumination, while being positioned in the output of a conventional inverted microscope. The interferograms are processed into the quantitative amplitude and phase profiles of the sample. Based on the phase profile, the optical-path-delay profile is obtained with temporal stability of 0.18 nm and spatial stability of 0.42 nm. Further experimental demonstration of using the τ interferometer for imaging the quantitative thickness profile of a live red blood cell is provided.