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Jones phase microscopy of transparent and anisotropic samples
Zhuo Wang1, Larry J Millet, Martha U Gillette
1Quantitative Light Imaging Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
Optics Letters
|June 3, 2008
Summary
We developed Jones phase microscopy, a new technique to measure the polarization properties of transparent, anisotropic materials. This advanced method offers potential for detailed live cell imaging, including neurons.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) provides valuable information about transparent samples.
- Characterizing anisotropic materials requires advanced polarization-sensitive techniques.
- Existing methods may not fully capture the complex polarization changes in biological samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Jones phase microscopy (JPM), an interferometric technique for spatially resolved polarization analysis.
- To demonstrate JPM as a generalization of QPI, extracting the full Jones polarization matrix.
- To validate JPM's capabilities with both engineered materials and live biological specimens.
Main Methods:
- Development of an interferometric microscopy setup for Jones matrix measurement.
- Application of JPM to a liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM) for calibration and validation.
- In situ experiments on cultured live neurons to assess biological imaging potential.
Main Results:
- Successful extraction of the spatially resolved Jones polarization matrix for anisotropic samples.
- Demonstration that QPI is a subset of the information obtainable via JPM.
- Preliminary successful imaging of live neurons, showcasing JPM's biological applicability.
Conclusions:
- Jones phase microscopy offers a comprehensive approach to characterizing polarization properties of transparent and anisotropic samples.
- JPM extends the capabilities of QPI by providing a full polarization description.
- The technique shows significant promise for advanced live cell imaging and biological research.
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