Integrated quantitative phase and birefringence microscopy for imaging malaria-infected red blood cells.
A dual-modality birefringence/phase imaging system is presented. The system features a crystal retarder that provides polarization mixing and generates two interferometric carrier waves in a single signal spectrum. The retardation and orientation of sample birefringence can then be measured simultaneously based on spectral multiplexing interferometry. Further, with the addition of a Nomarski prism, the same setup can be used for quantitative differential interference contrast (DIC) imaging. Sample phase can then be obtained with two-dimensional integration. In addition, birefringence-induced phase error can be corrected using the birefringence data. This dual-modality approach is analyzed theoretically with Jones calculus and validated experimentally with malaria-infected red blood cells. The system generates not only corrected DIC and phase images, but a birefringence map that highlights the distribution of hemozoin crystals.
Virginia Tech, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1185 Perry Street, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
Chengshuai
C
Li
Virginia Tech, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1185 Perry Street, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
Shichao
S
Chen
Virginia Tech, Department of Biochemistry, 340 West Campus Drive, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
Michael
M
Klemba
Virginia Tech, The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, 1185 Perry Street, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States.
Yizheng
Y
Zhu
D001718:Birefringence; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D006420:Hemeproteins / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum
D006420:Hemeproteins; C020753:hemozoin