Application of a novel diffraction-based tomography method for imaging biological samples

A novel system to image and reconstruct a 3-dimensional map of the refractive index based on the diffraction of light through a transparent sample is presented. This method is tested and validated on computer-generated data sets. The proposed system is an advanced variation of an imaging technique used in engineering for the study of aerodynamics. This method, which is termed Reference Image Topography, is used to reconstruct the water/air interface of the free surface in fluid dynamics studies. This surface profile is reconstructed by comparing an image of a random pattern viewed through the transparent free surface against a reference image, to determine the change in the refractive index caused by changes in the height. The proposed system is highly sensitive and capable of imaging intricate features in the transparent sample that are of low contrast when imaged with other imaging methods. For each projection, the change in direction of the light passing through the sample when placed in between the light source and the imaging system, can be related to the line integral for the change in refractive index across the sample. Utilizing multiple projections, a 3- dimensional map of the refractive index of the sample is reconstructed with computed tomography.? (2012) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).