High-sensitive and broad-dynamic-range quantitative phase imaging with spectral domain phase microscopy

Area of Science:

• Optical Imaging
• Microscopy
• Biomedical Optics

Background:

• Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) is crucial for label-free cell visualization.
• Existing QPI methods face limitations in balancing sensitivity and dynamic range.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel spectral domain phase microscopy technique for high-sensitive and broad-dynamic-range QPI.
• To investigate the sensitivity advantages of depth domain phase retrieval over spectral domain methods.

Main Methods:

• Developed a spectral domain phase microscopy system.
• Implemented phase retrieval in the depth domain for enhanced sensitivity.
• Utilized spectral domain phase information to extend the dynamic range of optical path difference.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated high sensitivity in phase retrieval within the depth domain.
• Achieved an extended dynamic range for optical path difference measurements.
• Successfully performed phase imaging of a resolution target and an onion skin specimen.

Conclusions:

• The proposed depth domain phase-based approach offers superior performance for QPI.
• This method provides a powerful tool for high-resolution, quantitative biological imaging.