Chapter 14 - Polarization and Spectral Interferometric Techniques for Quantitative Phase Microscopy

Abstract

Quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) is a powerful technique that offers label-free, fast, highly sensitive measurements of optical phase distribution across a biological specimen. There have been many recent efforts to develop QPM techniques for quantifying internal structures and dynamics of living cells. Most conventional QPM systems are based on digital holography, using single-polarization, single-wavelength lasers to achieve nanometer-level sensitivity. In this chapter, we introduce a suite of novel phase-imaging modalities that probe a specimen with multiple polarizations and broad bandwidth. As the results demonstrate, these polarization and spectral techniques are capable of generating a wealth of new information that can be exploited to markedly enhance system performance and functionality.