Curvature-adaptive gigapixel microscopy at submicron resolution and centimeter scale

Area of Science:

• Microscopy and Imaging Technologies
• Optical Engineering
• Biomedical Imaging

Background:

• Large-area microscopy faces challenges balancing field of view, resolution, and speed.
• Non-flat samples necessitate mechanical scanning, reducing imaging throughput.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce PANORAMA, a single-shot re-imaging microscope for seamless gigapixel imaging.
• To overcome limitations of mechanical scanning in large-area microscopy.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a telecentric photolithography lens and large-aperture tube lens.
• Employed a flat micro-camera array with adaptive per-camera focus control.
• Achieved focus across centimeter-scale FOV without mechanical scanning.

Main Results:

• Seamless gigapixel imaging over a 16.3 × 18.8 mm² field of view.
• Maintained 0.84 µm half-pitch resolution and submicron focus on diverse sample topographies.
• Demonstrated high-throughput, single-shot imaging of large, non-flat samples.

Conclusions:

• PANORAMA offers improved imaging throughput and adaptability for large-area microscopy.
• The system enables gigapixel multi-modal imaging of flat and non-flat samples.
• Broadens applications in biomedical and materials science imaging.