Label-free classification of cell types by imaging of cell membrane fluctuations using low-coherent full-field quantitative phase microscopy

Cell membrane motions of living cells are quantitatively measured in nanometer resolution by low-coherent full-field quantitative phase microscopy. Our setup is based on a full-field phase shifting interference microscope with a very lowcoherent light source. The reflection mode configuration and the low-coherent illumination make it possible to differentiate the weak reflection light from the cell membrane from the strong reflection from the glass substrate. Two cell populations are quantitatively assessed by the power spectral density of the cell surface motion and show different trends