AUTOMATED MICROSCOPIC BIREFRINGENCE & PHASE MEASUREMENTS

在第一阶段，开发了一种面包板微偏振仪，并 演示了。该仪器由一个稳定的2个频率组成 激光器、改装的显微镜和探测器/相位计模块：它是 能够定量测量显微镜的双折射 灵敏度优于1/10,000-波长的样品，以及 10 kHz带宽。拟议的第二期工程的目标是：(1)建造 内置扫描功能的微型旋光仪样机；(2) 修改设计以包括定量测量的功能 微观位相物体的光学厚度(微相仪)； (3)\进一步修改设计以允许其与反光样品一起使用 (以适应工业应用)；及(4)执行及出版 三个研究项目基于使用改进的 微旋光仪(1.轴突膜作用引起的双折射变化 有丝分裂纺锤体纤维的双折射和位相成像； 以及3.微旋度计/微相位计的测量能力)。 这些出版物将向科学界通报可获得的 和微旋光仪的能力。

During Phase I, a breadboard Micropolarimeter was developed and demonstrated. This instrument is comprised of a stabilized 2-frequency laser, a modified microscope, and a detector/phasemeter module: it is capable of quantitatively measuring the birefringence of microscopic samples with a sensitivity of better than 1/10,000-wavelength, and with a 10 KHz bandwidth. The proposed Phase II has as its objectives: (1) build a prototype Micropolarimeter with built-in provision for scanning; (2) modify the design to include the capability for quantitatively measuring the optical thickness of microscopic phase objects (Microphasemeter); (3)\further modify the design to allow its use with reflective specimens (to accomodate industrial applications); and (4) carry out and publish three research projects based on measurements made with the improved Micropolarimeter (1. Birefringence changes induced by axon membrane action potentials; 2. Birefringence and phase imagery of mitotic spindle fibers; and 3. Measurement capabilities of a Micropolarimeter/Microphasemeter). These publications will inform the scientific community of the availability and capabilities of the Micropolarimeter.