Abstract
High-speed high-contrast imaging modalities that enable image acquisition of transparent media without the need for chemical staining are essential tools for a broad range of applications; from semiconductor process monitoring to blood screening. Here we introduce a method for contrast-enhanced imaging of unstained transparent objects that is capable of high-throughput imaging. This method combines the Nomarski phase contrast capability with the ultrahigh frame rate and shutter speed of serial time-encoded amplified microscopy. As a proof of concept, we show imaging of a transparent test structure and white blood cells in flow at a shutter speed of 33 ps and a frame rate of 36.1 MHz using a single-pixel photo-detector. This method is expected to be a valuable tool for high-throughput screening of unstained cells.
Highlights
Optical imaging is widely used for detection, inspection, and diagnostics in numerous industrial, biomedical, and scientific applications
We introduce a method for contrast-enhanced imaging of unstained transparent objects that is capable of high-throughput imaging
As a proof of concept, we show imaging of a transparent test structure and white blood cells in flow at a shutter speed of 33 ps and a frame rate of 36.1 MHz using a single-pixel photo-detector
Summary
Optical imaging is widely used for detection, inspection, and diagnostics in numerous industrial, biomedical, and scientific applications. Conventional techniques (e.g., DIC microscopy) with the ability to perform this task have relied on CCD (charge-coupled device) and CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) image sensors [11]. Their image acquisition throughput is limited by that of CCD and CMOS cameras. The shutter speed of even the fastest cameras is too slow, resulting in significant blurring of images during high-speed screening Due to these technological limitations, conventional DIC and PC microscopy have not been commonly used for applications that require monitoring of dynamic samples in real time with high throughput. The presented technique, which we refer to as Nomarski serial time-
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