Quantitative Phase Imaging With Multiplexed Multichannel Interferometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quantitative phase microscopy systems are not compact, cost-effective, and lack versatility for comprehensive biological and material studies, failing to efficiently integrate multiple information dimensions such as sample morphology, molecular information, and specific measurement conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing at least two light sources with different wavelengths, fiber couplers, an optical fiber combiner, collimator lenses, cubic beam splitters, and a camera, enabling multiplexed interferometry to capture phase maps of samples illuminated by multiple wavelengths in a single acquisition, allowing for simultaneous reconstruction of phase maps without spatial frequency overlap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate imaging systems are used to obtain comprehensive sample information (morphology, molecular composition, concentration), then measurement completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (quantitative phase imaging, fluorescence imaging, and spectroscopy) into a single integrated optical system. The system uses a shared optical path with beam splitters to direct different wavelength ranges to respective detectors, enabling simultaneous acquisition of morphology, molecular composition, and concentration data without requiring separate imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is designed with multi-functionality to perform diverse measurements using the same hardware platform. By incorporating broadband light sources, spectrometers, and multiple detectors with appropriate filters, the system can switch between quantitative phase imaging, fluorescence imaging, and spectroscopy modes, providing universal measurement capabilities for comprehensive sample characterization.
2Measurement precision
If multiple wavelengths are used to extend depth measurement range in QPM, then measurement range is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple wavelength sources into a single optical path using fiber optic combiners and beam splitters. Instead of requiring separate imaging systems or sequential wavelength switching, the system simultaneously combines multiple wavelengths and directs them through the same optical path to the sample and detectors, simplifying the overall system architecture while extending measurement capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If QPM and fluorescence imaging are integrated into separate platforms, then morphological and molecular information are both obtained, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges QPM and fluorescence imaging capabilities into a single integrated platform by using beam splitters to separate the optical path into different wavelength channels. The system uses a broadband light source for QPM and separate laser sources for fluorescence excitation, with corresponding detectors and filters, enabling simultaneous acquisition of both morphological and molecular information without requiring separate platforms.
4Productivity
If acquisition time is reduced for high-speed mapping, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous simultaneous acquisition of multiple imaging modalities (QPM, fluorescence, spectroscopy) using parallel optical paths and multiple detectors. This eliminates the need for sequential scanning or time-multiplexed measurements, maintaining continuous data collection that preserves measurement precision while achieving high-speed mapping capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, compact, and cost-effective quantitative phase imaging with improved work efficiency, capable of real-time measurement of sample parameters like thickness, refractive index, and fluorescence, and accurate phase unwrapping of optically thick samples, while minimizing system size and interference noise.
Implementation Method 1
the optical fiber coupler divides any light beam input from the at least two light sources with different wavelengths into two beams
Implementation Method 2
the combined beam is imaged by the camera... a multiplexed interferogram of the sample is captured by the camera
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure herein provides a device, a method and a computer-readable storage medium for quantitative phase imaging, and relates to the field of quantitative phase imaging. The specific implementation scheme is: Obtain a multiplexed interferogram of the sample, where the multiplexed interferogram is a sample beam composed of at least two beams with different wavelengths to illuminate the sample and penetrate into the cube beam splitter Combine at least two beams with different wavelengths as the reference beam, and the combined beam is the imaging image sampled by the camera; and perform phase retrieval on the multiplexed interference image to obtain each beam of the sample in the composite sample beam The phase map at the wavelength of. Using the embodiments of the disclosure herein, one imaging acquisition and one phase retrieval are to acquire the phase maps of at least two wavelength channels.