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.     

Elemental x-ray imaging using Zernike phase contrast

We develop an element-specific x-ray microscopy method by using Zernike phase contrast imaging near absorption edges, where a real part of refractive index changes abruptly. In this method two phase contrast images are subtracted to obtain the target element: one is at the absorption edge of the target element and the other is near the absorption edge. The x-ray exposure required by this method is expected to be significantly lower than that of conventional absorption-based x-ray elemental imaging methods. Numerical calculations confirm the advantages of this highly efficient imaging method.     

Quantitative damage imaging using Lamb wave diffraction tomography

In this paper, we investigate the diffraction tomography for quantitative imaging damages of partly through-thickness holes with various shapes in isotropic plates by using converted and non-converted scattered Lamb waves generated numerically. Finite element simulations are carried out to provide the scattered wave data. The validity of the finite element model is confirmed by the comparison of scattering directivity pattern(SDP) of circle blind hole damage between the finite element simulations and the analytical results. The imaging method is based on a theoretical relation between the one-dimensional(1D) Fourier transform of the scattered projection and two-dimensional(2D) spatial Fourier transform of the scattering object. A quantitative image of the damage is obtained by carrying out the 2D inverse Fourier transform of the scattering object. The proposed approach employs a circle transducer network containing forward and backward projections, which lead to so-called transmission mode(TMDT) and reflection mode diffraction tomography(RMDT),respectively. The reconstructed results of the two projections for a non-converted S0 scattered mode are investigated to illuminate the influence of the scattering field data. The results show that Lamb wave diffraction tomography using the combination of TMDT and RMDT improves the imaging effect compared with by using only the TMDT or RMDT. The scattered data of the converted A0 mode are also used to assess the performance of the diffraction tomography method. It is found that the circle and elliptical shaped damages can still be reasonably identified from the reconstructed images while the reconstructed results of other complex shaped damages like crisscross rectangles and racecourse are relatively poor.     

聚合物泡沫结构及密度分布的相衬CT表征技术

阐述了利用X射线相衬成像技术研究高分子有机泡沫材料微观结构的原理及方法,理论分析及实验结果表明,X射线相衬成像方法可以在相当大的程度上提高低Z聚合物泡沫材料的成像衬度。将相衬成像技术与计算机层析成像技术相结合,获得了泡沫样品的3维骨架结构分布,同时,提出利用统计切片骨架“粒子”质心分布的方法来表征其密度分布均匀性。结果说明,该方法能够在微观层次上实现对泡沫样品3维密度分布的完备表征。     

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。     

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.     

X射线光栅微分相衬成像视场分析

X射线光栅微分相衬成像对由轻元素构成的物质的内部探测具有传统吸收成像无法比拟的优势, 尤其在癌症的早期诊断和轻元素材料及器件的无损检测等领域应用潜力巨大. 大视场成像是影响该技术从实验室走向实际应用的重要因素. 针对大视场成像的客观需求, 基于菲涅耳衍射原理和光栅结构特征, 建立了量化物理模型用于分析影响成像视场的因素, 提出了实现大成像视场的有效途径, 为未来大视场光栅微分相衬成像方法的设计和应用提供理论依据.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Quantitative 2D exchange spectroscopy using time-proportional phase incrementation

We have used a version of 2D exchange spectroscopy which employs amplitude modulation during evolution to obtain pure absorption-mode exchange maps of several multisite systems. Quadrature detection in ω₁ is provided by 90° phase incrementation of the excitation pulse in concert with incrementation of t_i. The matrix A of normalized peak amplitudes is determined by the dynamic processes which occur during the mixing interval τ_m according to the rate matrix R, which contains chemical exchange and longitudinal relaxation terms. The R matrix may be directly calculated from A using an eigenvalue-eigenvector method. In principle all of the dynamic parameters of a spin system of any size may be calculated from a pair of phase-sensitive exchange spectra acquired with and without mixing. This approach distinguishes between direct and indirect (relay) couplings irrespective of mixing time. The principles and practical aspects of exchange spectroscopy with time-proportional phase incrementation are briefly discussed and the method is illustrated with the measurement of chemical exchange rates in three-site and five-site spin systems.     

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.     

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.     

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.