Automated Procedures for Coherence Controlled Holographic Microscope

Coherence-Controlled Holographic Microscope (CCHM) and a Fluorescence Holographic Microscope (FHM) were developed particularly for quantitative phase imaging and measurement of live cell dynamics, which used to be a subject of digital holographic microscopy (DHM). CCHM and FHM in low-coherence mode extend capabilities of DHM in the study of living cells. However, this advantage following from the use of low coherence is accompanied by increased sensitivity of the system to its correct alignment. Therefore, the introduction of an automatic self-correcting system is inevitable. Accordingly, in the thesis, the theory of a suitable control system is derived and the design of an automated alignment system for both microscopes is proposed and experimentally proved. The holographic signal was identified as a significant variable for guiding the alignment procedures. On this basis the original basic realignment algorithms were proposed, which encompasses the processes for initial and advanced alignment as well as for long-term maintenance of the microscope aligned state. Automated procedures were implemented in both microscopes unique set of robotic mechanisms designed and built within the frame of the thesis work. All of the procedures described in the thesis were in real experimentally proved at real microscopes in the experimental biophotonics laboratory. In addition, the control software, which contains the needed automated procedures, was developed for FHM