Patent ID: 7738047
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
1. A phase contrast imaging system, comprising: a coherent light source emitting a coherent beam, the beam being directed toward a sample area; a lens arranged to collect at least part of the beam from the sample area; a first optical Fourier element that Fourier transforms the collected beam, wherein the Fourier transform occurs in a Fourier plane; a liquid crystal cell in the Fourier plane that transmits at least part of the transformed beam, wherein the cell comprises liquid crystal molecules having a phase transition temperature, and wherein at temperatures exceeding the phase transition temperature, light transmitted through the liquid crystal molecules obtains a different phase than light transmitted through the liquid crystal molecules obtains at temperatures below the phase transition temperature; a second optical Fourier element that receives the transmitted beam and inversely Fourier transforms the transmitted beam to provide an image; an image sensor that detects the image and generates an electronic representation of the image; and an optical element configured and arranged to adjust the beam intensity to a level at which part of the transformed beam has an intensity sufficient to heat a portion of the liquid crystal molecules above the phase transition temperature.