Lens-Free Microscope Can Image at the Cellular Level

Dec-20-14 By replacing lenses with light, researchers have created a powerful holographic microscope that is both less expensive and easier to use than traditional versions.

The UCLA digital holographic microscope works by beaming a partially coherent light though the sample under analysis and then projecting a holographic image of the sample onto a sensor below. That information is then sent to a computer for processing. The holographic nature of the image eliminates the need to manually adjust the focus to image different depths, and the holographic microscope also provides a wider field of view than standard, lens-based versions.

Holographic digital microscopes can be built for less cost than conventional scopes (the one from UCLA used a light sensor much like those found in smartphones). And with the proven higher-resolution of the UCLA version, may soon be finding their way into popular use.

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