摘要:
An assembly for converting a microscope into a phase contrast microscope includes a first optical Fourier element that Fourier transforms light from a coherent light source, a cell in the Fourier plane arranged to receive light from the first optical Fourier element, a second optical Fourier element arranged to receive light from the cell and inversely Fourier transform the received light to provide an image, an image sensor that detects the image and generates an electronic representation of the image, and an adaptor capable of coupling the first and second Fourier elements, the cell, and the image sensor to the microscope such that the first Fourier element Fourier transforms light collected by the microscope objective. The cell includes liquid crystal molecules having a phase transition temperature, wherein at temperatures exceeding the phase transition temperature, light transmitting through the liquid crystal molecules obtains a different phase than light transmitting through the liquid crystal molecules at temperatures below the phase transition temperature.
摘要:
Under one aspect, a phase contrast imaging system includes a coherent light source emitting a coherent beam directed toward a sample area; a lens arranged to collect at least part of the beam from the sample area; an element Fourier transforming the collected beam in a Fourier plane; a liquid crystal cell in the Fourier plane that transmits at least part of the transformed beam, wherein the cell includes liquid crystal molecules having a phase transition temperature, and wherein at temperatures exceeding the phase transition temperature, light transmitted through the liquid crystal molecules obtains a different phase than light transmitted through the liquid crystal molecules obtains at temperatures below the phase transition temperature; and an element inversely Fourier transforming the transmitted beam to provide an image. Part of the transformed beam has an intensity sufficient to heat a portion of the liquid crystal molecules above the phase transition temperature.