Fast exact scalar propagation for an in-line holographic microscopy on the diffraction limit.

In lensless digital in-line holographic microscopy, currently applied fast reconstruction techniques use approximations limiting the usable NA for optical resolution. The computational effort for an exact scalar reconstruction with straightforward algorithms depends on the relation between the desired resolution and the given pixel pitch of the detector. So there is a trade-off between achievable image resolution and required computation time. We present an exact reconstruction algorithm that guaranties optimum resolution with affordable computation time. Experimental results show a realized NA of at least 0.62. A 1 megapixel hologram was reconstructed in about 1.5 s.

Phase resolving microscopy by multi-plane diffraction detection.

An easily applicable quantitative phase-contrast microscopy is presented. A bright-field microscope with a coherent illumination is used. Only a series of diffraction images is taken in different distances from the sample. For reconstruction, a conjugate gradient technique as a new variant of phase retrieval technique is developed. The technique is experimentally investigated in detail. A phase accuracy up to 0.07 rad or a height accuracy of 13 nm in transmission for a binary test sample is reached, respectively.