In this exploration, we present a compact and easy-to-set imaging system to analyze the quantitative phase information of macroscopic and microscopic transparent phase samples using a radial shearing interferometric design. The proposed setup introduces a wire-grid polarizer as a beam-splitting optical element in a triangular cyclic configuration to render the two counter-propagating beams linearly polarized in orthogonal directions. These beams are made to pass through the samples in a counter direction. The focusing lens to image the sample is aligned in such a way that either the p-polarized beam illuminates the phase sample in a focused position concerning the imaging lens position and the remaining s-polarized beam is far apart from its focal length or vice versa. Hence, polarization phase shifting is implemented to generate a three-dimensional phase pattern, which is digitally captured in a charge-coupled device camera to yield the sample phase. The proposed setup is robust and sufficiently tolerant to ambient vibrations and shows encouraging experimental results using the minimum optics.
Imaging of transparent phase samples using a wire grid polarizer (WGP)-based shearing interferometer is demonstrated. The proposed setup employs a WGP as a beam splitter in a triangular cyclic interferometer setup, so that the two counterpropagating beams are rendered linearly polarized in orthogonal directions as they emerge from the interferometer. These sheared waved fronts are made to pass through the phase sample. The magnitude of shear is affected by controlled angular shifts of one mirror about the reference X and Y axes. For each of these directional shears, the polarization phase shifting is implemented so as to generate a three-dimensional phase pattern, which is digitally combined and integrated to yield the sample phase. The proposed setup is robust, sufficiently tolerant to ambient vibrations, and shows very encouraging experimental results.
The development of a laser-based quantitative phase microscope with phase-shifting capability is reported. The proposed arrangement utilizes a suitably converging laser beam to illuminate the sample, a long working distance microscope objective, a wire grid polarizer to generate collinearly propagating and orthogonally polarized sample and reference beams, and polarizing devices for polarization phase shifting. Reorientation of a polarizer will revert the microscope back to a standard bright-field microscope that can be used for viewing the object under test.
Interference Microscope with exception of the widely used Mirau objective, involves a setup having Michelson
or Mach-Zender Configuration. The present work proposes an in-line interference laser microscope
configuration.
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