Abstract

Lens-free on-chip imaging replaces traditional lenses with holographic reconstruction algorithms [1]. Basically, 3D images of specimens are reconstructed from their “shadows” providing considerably improved field-of-view and depth-of-field, thus enabling large sample volumes to be rapidly imaged, even at nanoscale [1-3]. These new computational microscopes routinely generate >1–2 billion pixels (giga-pixels), where even single viruses can be detected with a FOV that is >100 fold wider than other techniques [2]. At the heart of this leapfrog performance lie self-assembled liquid nano-lenses that are computationally imaged on a chip. These self-assembled nano-lenses are stable for >1 hour at room temperature, and are composed of a biocompatible buffer that prevents nano-particle aggregation while also acting as a spatial phase mask [2],[3]. The field-of-view of these computational microscopes is equal to the active-area of the sensor-array, easily reaching, for example, >20 mm² or >10 cm² by employing state-of-the-art CMOS or CCD imaging chips, respectively [1].

© 2015 IEEE