Download PDF Fundamentals Liquid crystal polarization gratings (PGs) are fascinating optical components that differ from traditional diffraction gratings, like ruled, Bragg, or holographic gratings. In particular, PGs exhibit polarization sensitivity, can have diffraction efficiency approaching 100%, and are much less sensitive to incident angle than, for example, Bragg or volume holographic gratings. To understand how […]
Geometric-phase microscopy (GPM) uses changes in the phase of light passing through biological specimens to yield high-resolution and high-contrast images, instead of relying on the attenuation of light used conventionally. Polarization optics and a spatial light modulator generate spatially variant polarization states of light that interact with the sample, creating a relative phase shift between transmitted and reflected light waves. By analyzing the phase information, GPM can reveal details not visible with other microscopy techniques. GPM is an effective non-invasive tool for live cell and tissue studies, with potential to enhance biological systems knowledge.
