Differential interference contrast microscopy

Optics

Physics

Channel (broadcasting)

Dielectric

Resolution (logic)

Microscopy

Interference microscopy

Artificial intelligence

Materials science

Scanning electron microscope

Phase imaging

Computer network

Interference (communication)

Computer science

Phase (matter)

Optoelectronics

Quantum mechanics

Microscope

Optical microscope

Nature Photonics

Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) of transparent samples plays an essential role in multiple biomedical applications, and miniaturizing these systems will enable their adoption into point-of-care and in vivo applications. Here, we propose a compact quantitative phase gradient microscope (QGPM) based on two dielectric metasurface layers, inspired by a classical differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope. Owing to the multifunctionality and compactness of the dielectric metasurfaces, the QPGM simultaneously captures three DIC images to generate a quantitative phase gradient image in a single shot. The volume of the metasurface optical system is on the order of 1 mm3. Imaging experiments with various phase resolution samples verify the capability to capture quantitative phase gradient data, with phase gradient sensitivity better than 92.3 mrad μm−1 and single-cell resolution. The results showcase the potential of metasurfaces for developing miniaturized QPI systems for label-free cellular imaging and point-of-care devices. Using two dielectric metasurface layers, a compact quantitative phase gradient microscope that can capture quantitative phase gradient images in a single shot is reported with phase gradient sensitivity better than 92.3 mrad μm−1 and single-cell resolution.

Single-shot quantitative phase gradient microscopy using a system of multifunctional metasurfaces