Abstract
We report the implementation of an image sensor chip, termed wavefront image sensor chip (WIS), that can measure both intensity/amplitude and phase front variations of a light wave separately and quantitatively. By monitoring the tightly confined transmitted light spots through a circular aperture grid in a high Fresnel number regime, we can measure both intensity and phase front variations with a high sampling density (11 µm) and high sensitivity (the sensitivity of normalized phase gradient measurement is 0.1 mrad under the typical working condition). By using WIS in a standard microscope, we can collect both bright-field (transmitted light intensity) and normalized phase gradient images. Our experiments further demonstrate that the normalized phase gradient images of polystyrene microspheres, unstained and stained starfish embryos, and strongly birefringent potato starch granules are improved versions of their corresponding differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope images in that they are artifact-free and quantitative. Besides phase microscopy, WIS can benefit machine recognition, object ranging, and texture assessment for a variety of applications.
Highlights
A light wave contains two primary sets of characteristics – intensity/amplitude variations and phase front variations
We report the implementation of such an image sensor chip, termed wavefront image sensor chip (WIS), that is capable of simultaneously measuring both the intensity and the phase front variations of an incident light field
We have created the first integrated high-density WIS, and have demonstrated that this sensor is a viable camera sensor replacement that can transform a standard microscope into a wavefront microscope (WM)
Summary
A light wave contains two primary sets of characteristics – intensity/amplitude variations and phase front variations. Optical phase microscopes are greatly valued for their ability to render contrast based on refractive index variations in unstained biological samples, and are useful in biomedical applications where minimal sample preparation procedures are required. Such applications can include field analysis of bloodborne and waterborne pathogens [1] where cost considerations and ease-ofuse are important, and analysis of biopsy sections to determine tumor margins during surgical procedures where rapid processing is critical [2]. Such applications include examinations of oocytes and embryos during in-vitro fertilization procedures [3], and longitudinal imaging of live cells or organisms [4]
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