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Phase contrast and Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) microscopy are widely used techniques for visualizing unstained live cells with high contrast. However, both phase contrast and DIC microscopy offer only 2D qualitative imaging.
Holotomography (HT), on the other hand, provides quantitative 3D tomograms. This means it not only captures the structural details of the sample but also allows for precise measurements of various parameters within the sample volume. Unlike phase contrast and DIC microscopy, which rely on contrast enhancements, HT directly measures the refractive index variations within the sample, enabling detailed three-dimensional reconstructions. This quantitative aspect of HT makes it particularly valuable for studying dynamic biological processes and understanding cellular structures in greater detail. -
Refractive index (RI) is a fundamental optical property that measures how much light is bent as it enters a material. It indicates the speed of light in a given medium compared to its speed in a vacuum. This property is determined by the material's optical density and molecular structure.
RI finds applications in various fields, including bioimaging, where its label-free and quantitative properties are particularly valuable. RI-based imaging techniques offer detailed insights into biological samples' structure and composition without the need for external labels or dyes. This makes them highly useful in biomedical research and diagnostics, providing high-resolution and sensitive imaging capabilities for studying cellular morphology, composition, and dynamics.