IMAGING APPRATUS AND METHODS USING DIFFRACTION-BASED ILLUMINATION

• US 20170052384A1
• Filed: 04/30/2014
• Published: 02/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Santori, Charles M, Govyadinov, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 10,459,241 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/05 Flow-through cuvettes G01N21/09 takes precedence; handling fluid samples G01N1/10
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/00 Microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/0004 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/06 Means for illuminating specimens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/362 Mechanical details, e.g. mountings for the camera or image sensor, housings G02B21/364 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/425 in illumination systems mask illumination systems in photolithographic systems G03F7/70158
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/003 Lens or lenticular sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0035 provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0244 Surface relief holograms replicating hologram without interference recording G03H1/0276
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/041 Optical element in the object space affecting the object beam, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0443 Digital holography, i.e. recording holograms with digital recording means holobject computation G03H1/0866
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0465 Particular recording light; Beam shape or geometry G03H1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0866 Digital holographic imaging, i.e. synthesizing holobjects from holograms
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/265 Angle multiplexing; Multichannel holograms G03H1/268 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0033 in hologrammetry for measuring or analysing
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/005 in microscopy, e.g. digital holographic microscope [DHM]
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0447 In-line recording arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0452 arranged to record an image of the object
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0469 Object light being reflected by the object
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0471 Object light being transmitted through the object, e.g. illumination through living cells
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0473 : Particular illumination angle between object or reference beams and hologram
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/2226 : Edge lit holograms
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2222/34 : Multiple light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2222/44 : Beam irradiating the object at recording stage
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2222/53 : Collimated beam
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2223/16 : Optical waveguide, e.g. optical fibre, rod
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2223/19 : Microoptic array, e.g. lens array
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2223/23 : Diffractive element
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2227/02 : Handheld portable device, e.g. holographic camera, mobile holographic display
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2227/03 : Means for moving one component G03H1/0476, G03H2001/2695 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2240/56 : Resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 : provided with illuminating means

Abstract

Imaging apparatus and methods using diffraction-based illumination are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a diffraction grating to redirect light from a light source toward a sample to thereby illuminate the sample. The example apparatus also includes an image sensor to detect a diffraction pattern created by the illuminated sample.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a diffraction grating to redirect light from a light source toward a sample to thereby illuminate the sample; and

an image sensor to detect a diffraction pattern created by the illuminated sample.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor to analyze the diffraction pattern to generate an image of the sample.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light is to provide directional illumination of the sample.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a slab waveguide to carry the light from the light source to the diffraction grating.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the diffraction grating is adjacent a surface of the slab waveguide facing away from the sample.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the diffraction grating is adjacent a surface of the slab waveguide facing towards the sample.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a collimating lens to collimate the light from the light source, the collimating lens to direct the light into the slab waveguide at an angle.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a position of the light source is adjustable relative to the collimating lens to vary the angle.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a microfluidic channel to contain the sample; and

a pump to force the sample through the microfluidic channel.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing containing the diffraction grating and the image sensor, the housing having a total height of one centimeter or less.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a diffraction grating to provide directional light incident on a sample from a light emitted by a light source; and

an image sensor to detect a diffraction pattern created from interference between the directional light transmitted through the sample and the directional light scattered by the sample.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the diffraction grating comprises circular arced grooves.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the grooves are to be disposed concentrically about a central axis, the light source to be positioned on the central axis.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein spacing between adjacent ones of the grooves is defined by a distance of the adjacent ones of the grooves from the light source.

15. A method comprising:

generating directional light via a diffraction grating to illuminate a sample, the directional light originating from a light source adjacent the diffraction grating; and

detecting a diffraction pattern created by the sample when illuminated by the directional light

generating an image of the sample based on the diffraction pattern.