Reflectional quantitative phase-contrast microscopy (RQPCM) with annular epi-illumination.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Microscopy Techniques
• Biomedical Imaging

Background:

• Quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) is a label-free technique valuable in biomedical research and industrial inspection.
• Conventional transmission QPM faces challenges in achieving high spatiotemporal resolution for reflective samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel reflectional quantitative phase-contrast microscopy system.
• To enable high-resolution imaging of reflective samples, overcoming limitations of transmission QPM.

Main Methods:

• Utilized annular epi-illumination with light-emitting diodes.
• Employed a spatial light modulator for successive phase retardation (0, π/2, π, 3π/2) of the unscattered wave.
• Developed a reflectional quantitative phase-contrast microscopy system.

Main Results:

• Achieved high-resolution phase-contrast images of reflective samples.
• Successfully obtained quantitative contour data of tissue slices and silicon semiconductor wafers.
• Demonstrated the capability for finer structure and 3D tomography of reflective samples.

Conclusions:

• The proposed reflectional QPM system effectively images reflective samples with high resolution.
• This technique is beneficial for high-resolution imaging in industrial devices and biomedical dynamics.
• The method provides detailed structural and 3D information crucial for scientific advancement.