There are provided an image processing device and a processing method thereof. The image processing method includes obtaining an interference signal using a sample beam and a reference beam, transforming the interference signal by using a numerical signal processing method or an intensity mixing method to generate a transformed interference signal, and obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) phase image by using the interference signal and the transformed interference signal.

A holographic observation method includes: casting a light beam generated by driving a semiconductor laser light source with an electric current with an alternating-current component superimposed or a light beam having a predetermined spectral width and predetermined spectral intensity to have predetermined coherency to an observation object; forming a hologram by causing a light beam transmitted through or reflected by the observation object to interfere with a reference light beam; and obtaining information on the observation object by performing image processing on the hologram.

A neural imaging system may include an imaging array, an image data processor operably coupled to the imaging array to process image data received from the imaging array, and a beam angle separator disposed between the imaging array and an object being imaged. The beam angle separator may be configured to separate an object beam reflected from the object being imaged into a plurality of reference beams each having different angular separation with respect to the object beam. The image data processor may be configured to generate image data of the object for each one of the reference beams to correspond to a respective different depth within the object.

Example embodiments relate to an integrated lens-free imaging device. One embodiment includes a lens-free imaging device for imaging a sample. The lens-free imaging device includes a radiation guiding structure that includes a first surface parallel with a second surface. The lens-free imaging device also includes an imaging region. The radiation guiding structure is adapted for receiving an incoming radiation wave, thereby obtaining a confined radiation wave. At least one perturbation is present in the radiation guiding structure for generating, from the confined radiation wave, a first radiation wave and a second radiation wave. The radiation guiding structure is configured to direct the first radiation wave out of the radiation guiding structure toward the first surface to a sample measurement region. The radiation guiding structure is further configured to direct the second radiation wave toward the second surface to the imaging region.

An optical fiber splitter device comprising at least two optical fibers of different lengths is disclosed for partial or complete compensation of the optical path difference between waves interfering to generate a hologram or an interferogram. Various implementations of this fiber splitter device are described in apparatuses for holographic and interferometric imaging of microscopic and larger samples.

In situ investigation of microbial life in extreme environments can be carried out with microscopes capable of imaging 3-dimensional volumes and tracking particle motion. A lensless digital holographic microscope is disclosed that provides roughly 1.5 micron resolution in a compact, robust package suitable for remote deployment. High resolution is achieved by generating high numerical-aperture input beams with radial gradient-index rod lenses. The ability to detect and track prokaryotes was explored using bacterial strains of two different sizes. In the larger strain, a variety of motions were seen, while the smaller strain was used to demonstrate a detection capability down to micron scales.

Methods, systems, and devices for particle characterization by optical phase modulation and detection of aerosol backscattering. In some aspects, a compact and cost effective particle detector device to measure the aerosol density and its size distribution by backscattered focusing using projected optical modified field distribution imaging into the aerosol medium (air). The disclosed device can be used in a variety of scientific and industrial applications, e.g., such as a particle sensor for automobiles able to detect harmful pollution which may then be filtered from the car cabin, or warnings provided to the driver. The device can also capture and store data, enabling detailed pollution maps of various roadways in real-time.

A system is provided for observing objects on a substrate which includes a light source that emits polarized light rectilinearly along a first direction, a holder that receives said substrate having a surface and includes objects, wherein at least one of the holder or the substrate are translucent or opaque, a detector that collects the backscattered light from the interaction between the light emitting by the light source and the objects, a polarization splitter and a quarter-wave plate wherein the polarization splitter and the quarter-wave plate are arranged so that the polarization splitter directs light towards the substrate through the quarter-wave plate, and wherein the light forms a beam and the system modifies the size of the beam. The system thus allows one to observe objects on a non-transparent substrate.

A method for digital holographic microtomography comprises (a) providing at least one wavefront controlling device for driving a sample to be rotated and/or an incident beam scanning the sample, (b) utilizing a digital holographic access unit for recording the transmitted or reflected wavefronts of the sample, (c) utilizing a digital holography reconstructing method for reconstructing the transmitted or reflected wavefronts of the sample, and (d) utilizing a tomographic reconstruction approach for reconstructing three dimensional image information of the sample.

A low-cost digital holography microscope (DHM) that is capable of performing inspection at high speed while accurately inspecting an inspection object at high resolution, an inspection method using the DHM, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device by using the DHM are provided. The DHM includes: a light source configured to generate and output light; a beam splitter configured to cause the light to be incident on an inspection object and output reflected light from the inspection object; and a detector configured to detect the reflected light, wherein, when the reflected light includes interference light, the detector generates a hologram of the interference light, and wherein no lens is present in a path from the light source to the detector.