3D quantitative tomographic microscopy of low-contrast structures

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The Phase Focus Virtual Lens® (otherwise known as ptychography) is a new microscopymethod that eliminates the need for hardware focusing components, thereby removing thestraitjacket imposed by the costs, limitations and imperfections of conventional lenses.Instead of lenses, the Virtual Lens image reconstruction process is performed by asophisticated computer programme (algorithm.) Because it provides quantitative (numerical)information, and because it can extract the high information content often present intransparent specimens, the Virtual Lens has advantages in applications as diverse as live cellimaging and ophthalmic (contact) lens manufacture.The existing Virtual Lens algorithm relies on a two-dimensional mathematical approximationof the specimen. If the specimen’s structure is physically three-dimensional, or if it is thick,poor image quality can result. The purpose of this work, therefore, is to produce fulltomographic quantitative images of low-contrast specimens of complex structures, using anew three-dimensional Virtual Lens algorithm.If successful, it is expected that this new method will be able to generate high quality andaccurate information from such specimens without the use of stains, and from greater depthswithin the specimens than can be observed using conventional confocal microscopes.In addition, the technique is expected to be able to provide a new way to measure accurately,for manufacturing quality assurance purposes, the full three dimensional shape of lenses thatare used in CD and DVD players, mobile phones, microscopes, telescopes and other products.It is anticipated that this work will therefore create new and improved products and processesfor the benefit of UK industry and society at large.