Real-space optical signal processing is provided by optical angular filters that act on amplitude and/or phase of zero order light passing through a resonant diffractive optical device. One application is to phase contrast microscopy, where the diffractive optical device can be configured to have an amplitude and phase response suitable for phase contrast microscopy. For example, 60% or more intensity attenuation of the zero order light, combined with a phase shift of the zero order light by +/−90 degrees.

A microscope for imaging a sample by a transmitted light contrasting method includes an objective lens holder configured to place an objective lens of a number of objective lenses onto an optical axis of the microscope. The microscope further includes a lens system for forming an intermediate image of an exit pupil of any one of the number of objective lenses placed onto the optical axis. The intermediate image is formed at a respective conjugated plane conjugate to the exit pupil. The microscope further includes a control device configured for automatically positioning a modulation element onto the optical axis at a positon related to the respective conjugated plane.

A microscope for imaging a sample by a transmitted light contrasting method includes an objective lens holder configured to place an objective lens of a number of objective lenses onto an optical axis of the microscope. The microscope further includes a lens system for forming an intermediate image of an exit pupil of any one of the number of objective lenses placed onto the optical axis. The intermediate image is formed at a respective conjugated plane conjugate to the exit pupil. The microscope further includes a control device configured for automatically positioning a modulation element onto the optical axis at a positon related to the respective conjugated plane.

A phase-contrast microscope includes a light source section configured to emit light; a light guide including a plurality of optical fibers, the light guide transmitting the light emitted from the light source section through the plurality of optical fibers; and an object lens including a lens and an annular phase film, the annular phase film being on the side to which light passes through the lens, the object lens being configured to enlarge an image on a sample irradiated with the light transmitted by the light guide. The plurality of optical fibers include a plurality of emission faces arranged to form a ring, and the light guide is disposed in such a manner that the plurality of emission faces are in a conjugate position to the annular phase film.

A phase-contrast microscope includes a light source section configured to emit light; a light guide including a plurality of optical fibers, the light guide transmitting the light emitted from the light source section through the plurality of optical fibers; and an object lens including a lens and an annular phase film, the annular phase film being on the side to which light passes through the lens, the object lens being configured to enlarge an image on a sample irradiated with the light transmitted by the light guide. The plurality of optical fibers include a plurality of emission faces arranged to form a ring, and the light guide is disposed in such a manner that the plurality of emission faces are in a conjugate position to the annular phase film.

The application discloses a method and apparatus for imaging a sample by interferometric scattering microscopy, the method comprising illuminating a sample with at least one coherent light source, the sample being held at a sample location comprising an interface having a refractive index change, illuminating the sample with illuminating radiation to generate a backpropagating signal from the sample comprising light reflected at the interface and light scattered by the sample, splitting the backpropagating signal into first and second signals, modifying the second signal using a modifying element such that the second signal differs from the first signal, directing the first and second signals onto first and second detectors to generate, respectively, first and second images and comparing, by a processor, the first and second images to determine one or more characteristics of the sample.

The application discloses a method and apparatus for imaging a sample by interferometric scattering microscopy, the method comprising illuminating a sample with at least one coherent light source, the sample being held at a sample location comprising an interface having a refractive index change, illuminating the sample with illuminating radiation to generate a backpropagating signal from the sample comprising light reflected at the interface and light scattered by the sample, splitting the backpropagating signal into first and second signals, modifying the second signal using a modifying element such that the second signal differs from the first signal, directing the first and second signals onto first and second detectors to generate, respectively, first and second images and comparing, by a processor, the first and second images to determine one or more characteristics of the sample.

A single-shot differential phase contrast quantitative phase imaging method based on color multiplexing illumination. A color multiplexing illumination solution is used to realize single-shot differential phase contrast quantitative phase imaging. In the single-shot color multiplexing illumination solution, three illumination wavelengths of red, green, and blue are used to simultaneously illuminate a sample, and the information of the sample in multiple directions is converted into intensity information on different channels of a color image. By performing channel separation on this color image, the information about the sample at different spatial frequencies can be obtained. Such a color multiplexing illumination solution requires only one acquired image, thus enhancing the transfer response of the phase transfer function of single-shot differential phase contrast imaging in the entire frequency range, and achieving real-time dynamic quantitative phase imaging with a high contrast, a high resolution, and a high stability. In addition, an alternate illumination strategy is provided, so that a completely isotropic imaging resolution at the limit acquisition speed of the camera can be achieved.

Disclosed are systems, methods, and structures for broadband phase shifting for quantitative phase microscopy (QPI) that advantageously allows for a greater useable wavelength range for QPI wherein either/both illumination paths and/or scatter paths: 1) propagate through a reflective objective; 2) become quantifiably phase-shifted utilizing broadband mirror surfaces; 3) attenuate the relatively bright illumination paths to maximize contrast; and 4) recombine at a sensor plane for quantitative analysis.

Disclosed are systems, methods, and structures for broadband phase shifting for quantitative phase microscopy (QPI) that advantageously allows for a greater useable wavelength range for QPI wherein either/both illumination paths and/or scatter paths: 1) propagate through a reflective objective; 2) become quantifiably phase-shifted utilizing broadband mirror surfaces; 3) attenuate the relatively bright illumination paths to maximize contrast; and 4) recombine at a sensor plane for quantitative analysis.