Single-shot resolution-enhancement quantitative phase imaging based on Kramers-Kronig relations

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Biomedical Imaging
• Materials Science

Background:

• Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) is crucial for label-free biological sample analysis.
• Existing QPI methods often face limitations in resolution and setup complexity.
• High-frequency information is vital for achieving super-resolution in imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel single-shot QPI method with enhanced resolution.
• To leverage Kramers-Kronig relations for accurate amplitude and phase retrieval.
• To demonstrate a compact and efficient imaging setup.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a polarization camera to record two pairs of in-line holograms in a single exposure.
• Applying Kramers-Kronig relations derived from polarization multiplexing to separate amplitude and phase.
• Implementing a single-shot acquisition strategy for improved efficiency.

Main Results:

• Achieved a doubling of imaging resolution compared to conventional methods.
• Demonstrated successful separation of amplitude and phase information.
• Validated the compact nature of the recording setup.

Conclusions:

• The proposed single-shot QPI method offers a significant resolution enhancement.
• The technique effectively utilizes Kramers-Kronig relations and polarization multiplexing.
• This advanced QPI approach holds promise for advanced biomedical imaging and surface inspection.