SLM-based phase-contrast filtering for single and multiple image acquisition

We report on the implementation of different phase contrast methods using an SLM in a microscope. The ease of generating complex phase filters with the SLM opens the possibility to realize standard filters adapted to the specimen and the possibility to develop new phase contrasting methods. Due to the real-time addressing we can obtain a number of different images from each specimen recorded nearly simultaneously with the same microscope objective. We demonstrate how to realize different versions of differential interference contrast imaging, Zernike-type imaging and dark-field imaging and the combination of the different images by simple post processing. Experimental results for biological as well as technical specimens are presented.

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