Phi Optics gradient light interference microscopy (GLIM) for inverted microscopes

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Multiple scattering limits the contrast in optical imaging of thick specimens. Gradient light interference microscopy (GLIM) is a quantitative phase imaging (QPI) technique that can address this issue and can be added to the user’s existing inverted microscope.

GLIM is non-invasive, label-free and requires no sample preparation. It is suitable for both short- and long-term dynamic biological studies with imaging timeframes from milliseconds to days. With the ability to work with single cell layers up to large whole organisms (greater than 350 µm thick), the technique generates quantitative data and can be combined with standard imaging modalities.

GLIM provides high-quality quantitative data by combining multiple intensity images corresponding to controlled phase shifts between two interfering waves. This suppresses incoherent background due to multiple scattering seen with standard transmitted imaging. It exploits a special case of low-coherence interferometry to extract phase information from 2D and 3D samples, which in turn can be used to measure cell mass, cell volume, surface area and cellular evolution as a function of time.

GLIM is supplied as a module and is a simple upgrade to existing inverted DIC (differential interference contrast) microscopes, attaching via the C-mount. It integrates with existing contrast techniques (ie, fluorescence) and dimensions (X-Y scanning, Z-stacking, etc) to provide additional analytical capabilities for thick specimens.