Single-shot quantitative phase microscopy: a multi-functional tool for cell analysis.

This study showcases the multifunctionality of a single-shot quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) system for comprehensive cell analysis. The system captures four high-contrast images in one shot, enabling tasks like cell segmentation, measuring cell confluence, and estimating cell mass. We demonstrate the usability of the QPM system in routine biological workflows, showing how its integration with computational algorithms enables automated, precise analysis, achieving accuracy scores between 85% and 97% across samples with varying cell densities, even those with low signal-to-noise ratios.

Implementation of a null test for freeform optics using a high-definition spatial light modulator.

We report the implementation of an interferometric null test using a high-definition spatial light modulator (SLM) as a reconfigurable alternative to a computer-generated hologram. We detail the alignment process chain, including novel techniques using the SLM to project alignment fiducials on the test part. To validate the alignment protocol, we measure a mild off-axis conic with the SLM-based system and cross-validate with conventional interferometry within 30 nm root-mean-square (RMS) surface figure.

Quantifying the quality of optical vortices by evaluating their intensity distributions.

Optical vortices are widely used in optics and photonics, impacting the measurements and conclusions derived from their use. Thus, it is crucial to evaluate optical vortices efficiently. This work aims to establish metrics for evaluating optical vortex quality to support the implementation procedure and, hence, provide a tool supporting research purposes and technological developments.

Panoramic reconstruction of quasi-cylindrical objects with digital holography and a conical mirror.

In this work, we present a panoramic digital holographic system for the first time capable of obtaining 3D information of a quasi-cylindrical object by using a conical mirror. The proposed panoramic digital holographic system is able to scan the entire surface of the object to determine the amplitude and phase simultaneously. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of analyzing quasi-cylindrical objects in a short time (0.

Real-time label-free microscopy with adjustable phase-contrast.

The lack of contrast represents a challenge in all imaging systems, including microscopy. This manuscript proposes the use of an azobenzene liquid crystal material as a Zernike filter in a phase-contrast configuration to enable label-free imaging. The novelty of the approach presented here is that it offers real-time adjustment of the contrast in images and prolonged-time observation.

Single-shot phase calibration of a spatial light modulator using geometric phase interferometry.

A vibration-insensitive, single-shot phase-calibration method for phase-only spatial light modulators (SLM) is reported. The proposed technique uses a geometric phase lens to form a phase-shifting radial shearing interferometer to enable common-path measurements. This configuration has several advantages: (a) unlike diffraction-based SLM calibration techniques, this technique is robust against intensity errors due to misalignment; (b) unlike two-beam interferometers, this technique offers a high environmental stability; and (c) unlike intensity-based methods, the phase-shifting capability provides a phase uncertainty routinely in the order of ${2}\pi /100$2π/100.

Optical encryption based on double random-phase encoding: secure versus unsecure variants.

A smart brute-force double random-phase encoding attack is presented that takes advantage of an unreported vulnerability: the smoothness of mean squared error (MSE) and correlation coefficient (CC) curves in a key-sensitivity analysis. The vulnerability reported here is made visible in a key-sensitivity analysis. It is shown that a modular arithmetic pre-coding provides significant robustness against this form of attack because the pre-coding creates a highly nonlinear, highly oscillatory MSE and CC curve in the key space.

Optical encryption with protection against Dirac delta and plain signal attacks.

This Letter proposes an optical encryption technique that disguises the information with modular arithmetic concepts and time-varying noise components that are unknown to the receiver. Optical encryption systems that use these techniques produce a nondeterministic system response, as well as noise like image data that can easily be generated with ordinary spatial light modulators. The principle of this technique is demonstrated for the double random phase encoding (DRPE) method.

Self-calibrating common-path interferometry.

A quantitative phase measuring technique is presented that estimates the object phase from a series of phase shifted interferograms that are obtained in a common-path configuration with unknown phase shifts. The derived random phase shifting algorithm for common-path interferometers is based on the Generalized Phase Contrast theory [pl. Opt.

Capture and display mismatch compensation for real-time digital holographic interferometry.

Optical holographic interferometry (HI) is realized by two well-known techniques: double exposure holographic interferometry (DEHI) and real-time holographic interferometry (RTHI). However, the digital version of HI is typically realized numerically by DEHI. The main problem in digital implementation of RTHI is the lack of commercially available cameras and spatial light modulators with the same pixel size.