Laser oblique scanning optical microscopy (LOSOM) for phase relief imaging

The visualization of optical phase can provide abundant information when imaging transparent specimen. We present a novel phase sensitive imaging design capable of obtaining phase contours of transparent biological cells through laser oblique scanning optical microscope (LOSOM). LOSOM is based on the introduction of a fluorescent medium behind the specimen to generate a differential phase-sensitive image, thus, the complicated phase retardation alignment procedure associated with differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy can be eliminated. Moreover, multi-modality fluorescence and phase relief imaging can be attained in a single system with fluorescently labeled specimens. (C) 2012 Optical Society of Americahttp://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000305473000050&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=8e1609b174ce4e31116a60747a720701OpticsSCI(E)EIPubMed5ARTICLE1314100-141082