Coherent linking between confocal amplitude image and confocal phase image in dual-comb microscopy

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to coherently link confocal amplitude and phase images in dual-comb microscopy, enabling high-resolution, wide-range axial imaging with phase unwrapping accuracy.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel approach to coherently connect amplitude and phase images in DCM, improving phase unwrapping and extending axial dynamic range.

Findings

Achieved accurate phase unwrapping using coherence-based linking.

Expanded axial dynamic range from micrometers to millimeters.

Maintained nanometer-scale axial resolution across a wide range.

Abstract

This paper presents a coherent linking approach between confocal amplitude and confocal phase images acquired using dual-comb microscopy (DCM). DCM combines the advantages of confocal laser microscopy and quantitative phase microscopy, offering high axial resolution and scan-less imaging capability. By exploiting the coherence between confocal amplitude and phase images within the same DCM system, we accurately determine the number of phase unwrapping iterations, eliminating phase wrapping ambiguity. The method is demonstrated with samples having micrometer-range optical thickness and nanometer-scale surface roughness. The results showcase an expanded axial dynamic range, ranging from micrometers to millimeters, while maintaining nanometer-level axial resolution. This coherently linked DCM imaging technique enables the simultaneous acquisition of absolute phase information, enhancing its potential for high-axial-resolution imaging in a wide range of applications.