Systems and methods for imaging a sample
A method for imaging a sample, wherein the sample changes a polarization state of light as a function of position, wherein the method includes changing a polarization state of a purely polarized light of an incident light striking a micro-retarder array, thereby inducing a changed polarization state of the polarization state. The micro-retarder array is placed in a rear conjugate focal plane of a microscope. The method additionally includes projecting the changed polarization state of the polarization state into an object plane of the microscope containing the sample.
1. A method for imaging a sample, wherein the sample changes a polarization state of light as a function of position, wherein the method comprises:
changing a polarization state of a purely polarized light of an incident light striking a micro-retarder array, thereby inducing a changed polarization state of the polarization state, wherein the micro-retarder array is placed in a rear conjugate focal plane of a microscope;
projecting the changed polarization state of the polarization state into an object plane of the microscope containing the sample;
combining image reconstruction algorithms with a single image, thereby producing a combined polarization dependent image, wherein the single image comprises a low frequency power spectrum, wherein the single image is an image of the sample;
deconstructing the combined polarization dependent image to produce a plurality of sparsely sampled purely polarized images;
inpainting, using software, the plurality of sparsely sampled purely polarized images, thereby recovering a set of polarization dependent images; and
imaging the sample.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
translating the sample through a pattern of polarizations induced by the micro-retarder array to interrogate each location of the sample with multiple polarizations.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
performing second harmonic generation of the purely polarized light; and
imaging the sample.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
determining a Stokes and Mueller set of parameters, wherein the Stokes and Mueller set of parameters dictate a linear polarization transfer properties of the sample; and
imaging the sample.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the micro-retarder array comprises:
a liquid crystal polymer film, wherein the liquid crystal polymer film is configured to modulate polarization along a single spatial axis.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the performing the second harmonic generation of the purely polarized light comprises:
scanning a focused light of the incident light across the micro-retarder array; and
detecting the second harmonic generation with a single channel detector, thereby performing the second harmonic generation of the purely polarized light.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the determining the Stokes and Mueller set of parameters comprises:
scanning a focused light of the incident light across the micro-retarder array; and
detecting a transmitted light through a polarizer with a single channel detector, wherein the transmitted light is transmitted through the sample.
8. The method of claim 4 , wherein the determining the Stokes and Mueller set of parameters comprises:
illuminating an unfocused light of the incident light across the micro-retarder array; and
detecting a transmitted light through a polarizer with a focal point array detector, wherein the transmitted light is transmitted through the sample.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the micro-retarder array comprises:
a liquid crystal polymer film, wherein the liquid crystal polymer film is configured to modulate polarization along a 2-dimensional spatial axis.