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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Simultaneous Visualization of the Dynamics of Crosslinked and Single Microtubules In Vitro by TIRF Microscopy
Published on: February 18, 2022
Multiaxis heterodyne vibrometer for simultaneous observation of 5 degrees of dynamic freedom from a single beam
Abstract:
A multiaxis heterodyne interferometer concept is under development for observations of 5 deg of dynamic freedom using a single illumination source. This Letter presents a laboratory system that combines elements of heterodyne Doppler vibrometry, holography, and digital image correlation to simultaneously quantify in-plane translation, out-of-plane rotation, and out-of-plane displacement. The sensor concept observes a dynamic object by mixing a single optical field with heterodyne reference beams and collecting these combined fields at the image and Fourier planes, simultaneously. Polarization and frequency multiplexing are applied to separate two segments of a receive Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Different optical configurations are utilized; one segment produces a focused image of the optical field scattered off the object while the other segment produces an optical Fourier transform of the optical field scattered off the object. Utilizing the amplitude and phase from each plane allows quantification of multiple components of transient motion using a single, orthogonal beam.
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