Point source digital in-line holographic microscopy

Abstract

Point source digital in-line holography with numerical reconstruction has been developed into a new microscopy, specifically for microfluidic and biological applications, that routinely achieves both lateral and depth resolution at the submicron level in 3-D imaging. This review will cover the history of this field and give details of the theoretical and experimental background. Numerous examples from microfluidics and biology will demonstrate the capabilities of this new microscopy. The motion of many objects such as living cells in water can be tracked in 3-D at subsecond rates. Microfluidic applications include sedimentation of suspensions, fluid motion around micron-sized objects in channels, motion of spheres, and formation of bubbles. Immersion DIHM will be reviewed which effectively does holography in the UV. Lastly, a submersible version of the microscope will be introduced that allows the in situ study of marine life in real time in the ocean and shows images and films obtained in sea trials. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.