Imaging appratus and methods using diffraction-based illumination

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017052384-A1
Application number	US-201415307759-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 30, 2014
Priority date	Apr 30, 2014
Publication date	Feb 23, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Imaging apparatus and methods using diffraction-based illumination are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a diffraction grating to redirect light from a light source toward a sample to thereby illuminate the sample. The example apparatus also includes an image sensor to detect a diffraction pattern created by the illuminated sample.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An apparatus comprising:
a diffraction grating to redirect light from a light source toward a sample to thereby illuminate the sample; and an image sensor to detect a diffraction pattern created by the illuminated sample.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a processor to analyze the diffraction pattern to generate an image of the sample.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the light is to provide directional illumination of the sample.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a slab waveguide to carry the light from the light source to the diffraction grating.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the diffraction grating is adjacent a surface of the slab waveguide facing away from the sample.

6 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the diffraction grating is adjacent a surface of the slab waveguide facing towards the sample.

7 . The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a collimating lens to collimate the light from the light source, the collimating lens to direct the light into the slab waveguide at an angle.

8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein a position of the light source is adjustable relative to the collimating lens to vary the angle.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a microfluidic channel to contain the sample; and a pump to force the sample through the microfluidic channel.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a housing containing the diffraction grating and the image sensor, the housing having a total height of one centimeter or less.

11 . An apparatus comprising:
a diffraction grating to provide directional light incident on a sample from a light emitted by a light source; and an image sensor to detect a diffraction pattern created from interference between the directional light transmitted through the sample and the directional light scattered by the sample.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the diffraction grating comprises circular arced grooves.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the grooves are to be disposed concentrically about a central axis, the light source to be positioned on the central axis.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein spacing between adjacent ones of the grooves is defined by a distance of the adjacent ones of the grooves from the light source.

15 . A method comprising:
generating directional light via a diffraction grating to illuminate a sample, the directional light originating from a light source adjacent the diffraction grating; and detecting a diffraction pattern created by the sample when illuminated by the directional light generating an image of the sample based on the diffraction pattern.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Development Co Lp

Inventors

• Santori Charles M
• Govyadinov Alexander

Classifications

• H04N23/56

  provided with illuminating means · CPC title

• G03H2001/0469

  Object light being reflected by the object · CPC title

• G03H1/0866

  Digital holographic imaging, i.e. synthesizing holobjects from holograms · CPC title

• G03H2001/2226

  Edge lit holograms · CPC title

• G02B21/06

  Means for illuminating specimens · CPC title