MRI: Development of Spatial Light Interference Microscope (SLIM) as Shared Facility for Materials and Life Sciences

这项提议是为了开发一种空间光干涉显微镜设备，该设备将以透射式和反射式两种模式测量样品。这种定量相成像仪器将有利于材料和生命科学领域的各种研究工作。特别是，它将使以下方面成为可能：(1)对纳米结构、半导体设备和新材料(如石墨烯和碳/半导体纳米管)进行非破坏性检查；(2)观察活细胞的动态和神经元内的运输；以及(3)探索新的癌症检测技术。目前的地形成像技术严重限制了可在高分辨率下测量的样本的大小和绝对数量。因此，收集的信息和获得的新的理解是有限的。一旦这种新形式的快速显微镜问世，从医学和生命科学到半导体和材料科学等领域的许多新的研究和发现机会将成为可能。此外，这一变革性科学仪器的发展将为广泛整合研究和教育提供丰富的机会。

1040462PopescuThis proposal is for instrument development of a spatial light interference microscopy facility that will measure samples in both transmission and reflection modes. This quantitative phase imaging instrument will benefit diverse research efforts in the materials and life sciences. In particular, it will enable: (1) non-destructive inspection of nanostructures, semiconductor devices, and new materials such as graphene and carbon/semiconductor nanotubes, (2) observation of the dynamics of live cells and transport in neurons, and (3) exploration of new cancer detection techniques. Current topographic imaging technology severely constrains the size and sheer number of samples that can be measured at high resolution. Thus, the information gathered and new understanding obtained is thereby limited. Numerous new lines of research and opportunities for discovery in fields ranging from medicine and life sciences to semiconductors and material sciences will be enabled once this new form of fast microscopy is made accessible. Further, development of this transformative scientific instrument will provide rich opportunities to broadly integrate research and education.