Abstract

Phase contrast imaging by the backward passage of a phase-conjugate beam through a phase plate that was used to produce the original phase distorted beam depends on the phase conjugate of the original field passing back through the specimen after the specimen has been shifted. We demonstrated this previously using self-pumping in barium titanate to produce the phase-conjugate field and a mechanical means to shift the plate. The intensity images show the gradients of plate optical thickness with respect to the shift direction of the specimen’s optical thickness.¹ We note that an image should also result if the slide remains stationary but component elements of the specimen move. Taking advantage of this last we have developed a microscope which shows dynamic processes within biological phase objects. The stationary elements on the slide do not show up; the image shows only those elements that move. The device includes a stage of digital processing which removes coherent artifacts and also adds gradients in intensity of moving elements in the bright field intensity image.

© 1988 Optical Society of America