Coherent diffraction imaging of non-isolated object with apodized illumination

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Biomedical Imaging
• Materials Science

Background:

• Coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) is a lensless imaging technique primarily used in X-ray applications for non-periodic materials.
• Conventional CDI is limited to imaging isolated objects, restricting its broader applicability.
• There is a need for advanced imaging methods capable of analyzing non-isolated, dynamic biological samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the imaging of non-isolated objects using a non-scanning apodized-illumination CDI technique at optical wavelengths.
• To adapt CDI for imaging both phase and amplitude objects beyond isolated samples.
• To explore the potential for live cell and tissue imaging and future X-ray applications.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a novel optical configuration for isolated apodized illumination.
• Application of non-scanning apodized-illumination CDI at an optical wavelength.
• Imaging of both phase and amplitude objects using the developed CDI method.

Main Results:

• Successful imaging of non-isolated objects using the non-scanning apodized-illumination CDI.
• Demonstration of imaging capabilities for both phase and amplitude objects.
• Validation of the method's suitability for fast imaging, crucial for dynamic samples like live cells.

Conclusions:

• The developed non-scanning apodized-illumination CDI effectively images non-isolated objects at optical wavelengths.
• This technique offers advantages over ptychography for live cell and tissue imaging due to its speed.
• The method shows promise for quantitative phase imaging of biological samples and lensless single-shot imaging with X-ray free-electron lasers.