Wave-front engineering with an achromatic x-y variable light modulator

描述（由申请人提供）：提出的主要目的是确定显微镜中光学波前的消色差空间调制的可行性。现代显微镜方法试图通过数字检测和处理系统来调整传统光学系统以实现最佳功能。这些方法采用被称为空间光调制器的装置来操纵照射样品和/或由样品透射的光的相位和振幅。显微镜照明和（或）成像路径中光波的相位和振幅以特定于应用的方式进行设计;以提高分辨率，除了观测数据外还获得定量数据，并提高信息吞吐量。目前的空间光调制器件都是波长相关的，因此通过这种方法开发的使用显微镜方法受到限制。一次只能研究一个波长的样品特性。为了克服这一限制，Boulder Nonlinear Systems提出研究在液晶空间光调制器中引入替代相位调制方法的可行性。所提出的几何相位调制方法与波长无关。几何相位的调制将允许显微镜波前在可见波长范围内的消色差横向（x-y）相位调制。这种方法的实现目前受到液晶技术的现有技术的限制。然而，消色差空间光调制器对显微镜领域的潜在好处包括使用空间光调制器的当前显微镜方法的扩展能力和增加的商业可及性，以及用于生物学、化学和纳米技术中的创新应用显微镜研究的新途径。潜在的障碍，这种解决方案及其适用性的高分辨率光学显微镜领域将通过评估的原型可编程液晶空间光调制器设备，使用消色差的几何相位调制方法。虽然能力有限，但该设备将用于评估是否需要对该方法进行进一步研究。这种评估将通过测量当前液晶空间光调制方法与x-y像素化设备中的几何相移调制之间的色彩性能的差异来进行。将通过在简单的消色差多焦点成像实验中证明稳定和均匀的操作来评估此类器械的可销售性。 公共卫生相关性：波前工程是一种多学科的显微镜系统设计方法，通常使用x-y可变光调制器来实现，这正在改变光学成像的基本限制。以高速（~ 1 kHz）和不受波长限制（在可见光范围内）开发显微镜系统设计的实现可以允许观察新的动态生物和化学过程。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary proposed objective is to determine the feasibility of achromatic spatial modulation of the optical wavefront in microscopy. Modern microscopy methods seek to adapt traditional optical systems for optimal function with digital detection and processing systems. These methods employ devices, referred to as spatial light modulators, to manipulate the phase and amplitude of light illuminating, and/or transmitted by, a sample. Phase and amplitude of light waves in the microscope illumination and (or) imaging paths are engineered in application-specific ways; to improve resolution, acquire quantitative data in addition to observational data and increase the rate of information throughput. Current spatial light modulation devices are all wavelength dependant, thus the use microscopy methods developed through this approach is restricted. A sample's properties can only be studied one wavelength at a time. To overcome this limitation, Boulder Nonlinear Systems proposes to investigate the feasibility of incorporating alternative phase modulation methods in a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator. The proposed geometric phase modulation methods are wavelength independent. Modulation of the geometric phase will allow achromatic lateral (x-y) phase modulation of the microscope wavefront over the visible wavelength range. Implementation of this approach is currently limited by the state of the art in liquid crystal technology. However, the potential benefits of an achromatic spatial light modulator to the field of microscopy include expanded capability and increased commercial accessibility of current microscopy methods using spatial light modulators as well as new avenues for innovative applied microscopy research in biology, chemistry and nanotechnology. Potential barriers to this solution and its applicability to the field of high-resolution optical microscopy will be investigated through assessment of a proto-type programmable liquid crystal spatial light modulator device that operates using achromatic geometric phase modulation methods. Although limited in capability, this device will be used to assess whether or not further research into this approach is warranted. Such an assessment will be made by measuring the difference in chromatic performance between current liquid crystal spatial light modulation methods and geometric phase-shifting modulation in an x-y pixilated device. The marketability of this type of devices will be evaluated through demonstration of stable and uniform operation in a simple achromatic multi- focal imaging experiment. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Wave-front engineering is a multi-disciplinary microscope systems design approach, often implemented with an x-y variable light modulator, which is changing the fundamental limits of optical imaging. Implementation of developing microscope system designs at high speed (~1kHz) and without restriction with regard to wavelength (within the visible range) may allow observation of new dynamic biological and chemical processes.