Hansen E W, Allen R D, Strohbehn J W, Chaffee M A, Farrington D L, Murray W F, Pillsbury T A, Riley M F
J Microsc. 1985 Dec;140(Pt 3):371-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2818.1985.tb02690.x.
We describe the concept and first implementation of an innovative new instrument for quantitative light microscopy. Currently, it provides selective imaging of optical path differences due to birefringence; with further development, it is also possible to selectively image several optical properties, including refractive path differences, optical rotation, and linear and circular dichroism, all with diffraction-limited resolution. An image consists of a 512 X 512 element array, with each pixel displaying one of 256 grey levels, linearly proportional to the specific optical property being observed. Additionally, conventional brightfield and polarized light microscopy are available, with the accompanying advantages of laser scanning and digital image processing. The microscope consists of three subsystems, representing three distinct technologies. The laser scanning subsystem moves a focused microspot across the specimen; the output of a photodetector is an electric signal corresponding to a scanned image. The image display subsystem digitizes this signal and displays it as an image on a video monitor. When used in conjunction with a phase modulation feedback loop, the image formed is of the specimen's birefringent retardation or other selected optical property. The digitized images are also available for computer enhancement.
我们描述了一种用于定量光学显微镜的创新型新仪器的概念及首次应用。目前，它可对由于双折射引起的光程差进行选择性成像；随着进一步发展，还能够对包括折射光程差、旋光性以及线性和圆二色性在内的多种光学特性进行选择性成像，且所有成像均具有衍射极限分辨率。一幅图像由一个512×512像素阵列组成，每个像素显示256级灰度中的一级，灰度与所观察的特定光学特性呈线性比例关系。此外，还具备传统的明场和偏光显微镜功能，并拥有激光扫描和数字图像处理的相应优势。该显微镜由三个子系统组成，代表了三种不同的技术。激光扫描子系统使一个聚焦的微光斑在样本上移动；光电探测器的输出是一个与扫描图像对应的电信号。图像显示子系统将该信号数字化，并在视频监视器上作为图像显示出来。当与相位调制反馈回路配合使用时，所形成的图像为样本的双折射延迟或其他选定的光学特性。数字化图像也可供计算机增强处理。
