Multifocus microscopy with precise color multi-phase diffractive optics applied in functional neuronal imaging.

ABSTRACT: Multifocus microscopy (MFM) allows high-resolution instantaneous three-dimensional (3D) imaging and has been applied to study biological specimens ranging from single molecules inside cells nuclei to entire embryos. We here describe pattern designs and nanofabrication methods for diffractive optics that optimize the light-efficiency of the central optical component of MFM: the diffractive multifocus grating (MFG). We also implement a "precise color" MFM layout with MFGs tailored to individual fluorophores in separate optical arms. The reported advancements enable faster and brighter volumetric time-lapse imaging of biological samples. In live microscopy applications, photon budget is a critical parameter and light-efficiency must be optimized to obtain the fastest possible frame rate while

SUBMITTER: Abrahamsson S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4866461 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature