title: Robust, compact implementation of an off-axis digital holographic microscope.
abstract: Recent advances in digital technologies, such as high-speed computers and large-format digital imagers, have led to a burgeoning interest in the science and engineering of digital holographic microscopy (DHM). Here we report on a novel off-axis DHM, based on a twin-beam optical design, which avoids the limitations of prior systems, and provides many advantages, including compactness, intrinsic stability, robustness against misalignment, ease of use, and cost. These advantages are traded for a physically constrained sample volume, as well as a fixed fringe spacing. The first trade is not overly restrictive for most applications, and the latter provides for a pre-set assembly alignment that optimizes the spatial frequency sampling. Moreover, our new design supports use in both routine laboratory settings as well as extreme environments without any sacrifice in performance, enabling ready observation of microbial species in the field. The instrument design is presented in detail here, along with a demonstration of bacterial video imaging at sub-micrometer resolution at temperatures down to -15 °C.
authors.forename: J Kent
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rider
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Serabyn
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kühn
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liewer
authors.forename: Jody
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deming
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Showalter
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindensmith
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nadeau