Public Funding for Phase Focus Limited

To demonstrate and extend stain-free cell imaging with the microscope, and develop key applications for related biological commercial and academic communities.

The Phase Focus Virtual Lens® (otherwise known as ptychography) is a new microscopy method that eliminates the need for hardware focusing components, thereby removing the straitjacket imposed by the costs, limitations and imperfections of conventional lenses. Instead of lenses, the Virtual Lens image reconstruction process is performed by a sophisticated computer programme (algorithm.) Because it provides quantitative (numerical) information, and because it can extract the high information content often present in transparent specimens, the Virtual Lens has advantages in applications as diverse as live cell imaging and ophthalmic (contact) lens manufacture. The existing Virtual Lens algorithm relies on a two-dimensional mathematical approximation of the specimen. If the specimen’s structure is physically three-dimensional, or if it is thick, poor image quality can result. The purpose of this work, therefore, is to produce full tomographic quantitative images of low-contrast specimens of complex structures, using a new three-dimensional Virtual Lens algorithm. If successful, it is expected that this new method will be able to generate high quality and accurate information from such specimens without the use of stains, and from greater depths within the specimens than can be observed using conventional confocal microscopes. In addition, the technique is expected to be able to provide a new way to measure accurately, for manufacturing quality assurance purposes, the full three dimensional shape of lenses that are used in CD and DVD players, mobile phones, microscopes, telescopes and other products. It is anticipated that this work will therefore create new and improved products and processes for the benefit of UK industry and society at large.