Fourier-transform holographic microscope

Journal Article · Thu Aug 20 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Applied Optics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.31.004973· OSTI ID:7035466

Haddad, W S; Cullen, D; Longworth, J W; McPherson, A; Boyer, K; Rhodes, C K ^[1]; Solem, J C ^[2]

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1. MCR Technology Corporation, P.O. Box 10084, Chicago, Illinois 60610-0084 (United States)
2. Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, MS B210, Los Alamos, N. M. 87545 (United States)

We describe a holographic microscope with a spatial resolution approaching the diffraction limit. The instrument uses a tiny drop of glycerol as a lens to create the spherically diverging reference illumination necessary for Fourier-transform holography. Measurement of the point-spread function, which is obtained by imaging a knife edge in dark-field illumination, indicates a transverse resolution of 1.4 {mu}m with wavelength {lambda} = 514.5 nm. Longitudinal resolution is obtained from the holograms by the numerical equivalent of optical sectioning. We describe the method of reconstruction and demonstrate the microscope's capability with selected biological specimens. The instrument offers two unique capabilities: (1) it can collect three-dimensional information in a single pulse of light, avoiding specimen damage and bleaching; and (2) it can record three-dimensional motion pictures from a series of light pulses. The conceptual design is applicable to a broad range of wavelengths and we discuss extension to the x-ray regime.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-86ER13610; FG02-89ER60898
• OSTI ID: 7035466
• Journal Information: Applied Optics; (United States), Journal Name: Applied Optics; (United States) Vol. 31:24; ISSN 0003-6935; ISSN APOPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440600* -- Optical Instrumentation-- (1990-)
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ALCOHOLS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
DESIGN
DROPLETS
FOURIER TRANSFORMATION
GLYCEROL
HOLOGRAPHY
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
IMAGES
INTEGRAL TRANSFORMATIONS
MATERIALS
MICROSCOPES
OPTICAL MICROSCOPES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
RESOLUTION
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
TRANSFORMATIONS
USES