Review of quantitative phase-digital holographic microscopy: promising novel imaging technique to resolve neuronal network activity and identify cellular biomarkers of psychiatric disorders.

Quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) has recently emerged as a new powerful quantitative imaging technique well suited to noninvasively explore a transparent specimen with a nanometric axial sensitivity. In this review, we expose the recent developments of quantitative phase-digital holographic microscopy (QP-DHM). Quantitative phase-digital holographic microscopy (QP-DHM) represents an important and efficient quantitative phase method to explore cell structure and dynamics. In a second part, the most relevant QPM applications in the field of cell biology are summarized. A particular emphasis is placed on the original biological information, which can be derived from the quantitative phase signal. In a third part, recent applications obtained, with QP-DHM in the field of cellular neuroscience, namely the possibility to optically resolve neuronal network activity and spine dynamics, are presented. Furthermore, potential applications of QPM related to psychiatry through the identification of new and original cell biomarkers that, when combined with a range of other biomarkers, could significantly contribute to the determination of high risk developmental trajectories for psychiatric disorders, are discussed.

The Shadow Moiré method using the phase shifting technique and digital image processing: computational implementation and application to the 3D-reconstruction of a buckled plate

The Shadow Moiré fringe patterns are level lines of equal depth generated by interference between a master grid and its shadow projected on the surface. In simplistic approach, the minimum error is about the order of the master grid pitch, that is, always larger than 0,1 mm, resulting in an experimental technique of low precision. The use of a phase shift increases the accuracy of the Shadow Moiré technique. The current work uses the phase shifting method to determine the surfaces three-dimensional shape using isothamic fringe patterns and digital image processing. The current study presents the method and applies it to images obtained by simulation for error evaluation, as well as to a buckled plate, obtaining excellent results. The method hands itself particularly useful to decrease the errors in the interpretation of the Moiré fringes that can adversely affect the calculations of displacements in pieces containing many concave and convex regions in relatively small areas.

Hysteresis in a system driven by either generalized force or displacement variables: martensitic phase transition in single-crystalline Cu-Zn-Al

We report on experiments aimed at comparing the hysteretic response of a Cu-Zn-Al single crystal undergoing a martensitic transition under strain-driven and stress-driven conditions. Strain-driven experiments were performed using a conventional tensile machine while a special device was designed to perform stress-driven experiments. Significant differences in the hysteresis loops were found. The strain-driven curves show reentrant behavior yield point which is not observed in the stress-driven case. The dissipated energy in the stress-driven curves is larger than in the strain-driven ones. Results from recently proposed models qualitatively agree with experiments.

Quantitative characterization of multi-phase materials by digital image processing

An automatic image processing and analysis technique has been developed for quantitative characterization of multi-phase materials. For the development of this technique is used the Khoros system that offers the basic morphological tools and a flexible, visual programming language. These techniques are implemented in a highly user oriented image processing environment that allows the user to adapt each step of the processing to his special requirements.To illustrate the implementation and performance of this technique, images of two different materials are processed for microstructure characterization. The result is presented through the determination of volume fraction of the different phases or precipitates.

Effect of annealing atmosphere on phase formation and electrical characteristics of bismuth ferrite thin films

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Phase synchronization of a two-channel phase-sensitive amplifier based on optical injection-locking of InP quantum-dash mode-locked lasers

A synchronization scheme for a two-channel phase sensitive amplifier is implemented based on the injection-locking of single InP quantum-dash mode-locked laser. Error free performance with penalty <1 dB is demonstrated for both channels. © 2011 Optical Society of America.

Optimum phase noise reduction and repetition rate tuning in quantum-dot mode-locked lasers

Competing approaches exist, which allow control of phase noise and frequency tuning in mode-locked lasers, but no judgement of pros and cons based on a comparative analysis was presented yet. Here, we compare results of hybrid mode-locking, hybrid mode-locking with optical injection seeding, and sideband optical injection seeding performed on the same quantum dot laser under identical bias conditions. We achieved the lowest integrated jitter of 121 fs and a record large radio-frequency (RF) tuning range of 342 MHz with sideband injection seeding of the passively mode-locked laser. The combination of hybrid mode-locking together with optical injection-locking resulted in 240 fs integrated jitter and a RF tuning range of 167 MHz. Using conventional hybrid mode-locking, the integrated jitter and the RF tuning range were 620 fs and 10 MHz, respectively. © 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.

Influence of digital dispersion equalization on phase noise enhancement in coherent optical system

The phase noise enhancement due to digital dispersion equalization is investigated, which indicates that the phase noise from transmitter laser can also interact with the dispersion depending on the choice of digital dispersion compensation methods. © OSA 2012.

Tile-Based Two-Dimensional Phase Unwrapping for Digital Holography Using a Modular Framework

A variety of physical and biomedical imaging techniques, such as digital holography, interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enable measurement of the phase of a physical quantity additionally to its amplitude. However, the phase can commonly only be measured modulo 2π, as a so called wrapped phase map. Phase unwrapping is the process of obtaining the underlying physical phase map from the wrapped phase. Tile-based phase unwrapping algorithms operate by first tessellating the phase map, then unwrapping individual tiles, and finally merging them to a continuous phase map. They can be implemented computationally efficiently and are robust to noise. However, they are prone to failure in the presence of phase residues or erroneous unwraps of single tiles. We tried to overcome these shortcomings by creating novel tile unwrapping and merging algorithms as well as creating a framework that allows to combine them in modular fashion. To increase the robustness of the tile unwrapping step, we implemented a model-based algorithm that makes efficient use of linear algebra to unwrap individual tiles. Furthermore, we adapted an established pixel-based unwrapping algorithm to create a quality guided tile merger. These original algorithms as well as previously existing ones were implemented in a modular phase unwrapping C++ framework. By examining different combinations of unwrapping and merging algorithms we compared our method to existing approaches. We could show that the appropriate choice of unwrapping and merging algorithms can significantly improve the unwrapped result in the presence of phase residues and noise. Beyond that, our modular framework allows for efficient design and test of new tile-based phase unwrapping algorithms. The software developed in this study is freely available.

Phase noise and spur reduction in an array of direct digital synthesizers

Many applications, including communications, test and measurement, and radar, require the generation of signals with a high degree of spectral purity. One method for producing tunable, low-noise source signals is to combine the outputs of multiple direct digital synthesizers (DDSs) arranged in a parallel configuration. In such an approach, if all noise is uncorrelated across channels, the noise will decrease relative to the combined signal power, resulting in a reduction of sideband noise and an increase in SNR. However, in any real array, the broadband noise and spurious components will be correlated to some degree, limiting the gains achieved by parallelization. This thesis examines the potential performance benefits that may arise from using an array of DDSs, with a focus on several types of common DDS errors, including phase noise, phase truncation spurs, quantization noise spurs, and quantizer nonlinearity spurs. Measurements to determine the level of correlation among DDS channels were made on a custom 14-channel DDS testbed. The investigation of the phase noise of a DDS array indicates that the contribution to the phase noise from the DACs can be decreased to a desired level by using a large enough number of channels. In such a system, the phase noise qualities of the source clock and the system cost and complexity will be the main limitations on the phase noise of the DDS array. The study of phase truncation spurs suggests that, at least in our system, the phase truncation spurs are uncorrelated, contrary to the theoretical prediction. We believe this decorrelation is due to the existence of an unidentified mechanism in our DDS array that is unaccounted for in our current operational DDS model. This mechanism, likely due to some timing element in the FPGA, causes some randomness in the relative phases of the truncation spurs from channel to channel each time the DDS array is powered up. This randomness decorrelates the phase truncation spurs, opening the potential for SFDR gain from using a DDS array. The analysis of the correlation of quantization noise spurs in an array of DDSs shows that the total quantization noise power of each DDS channel is uncorrelated for nearly all values of DAC output bits. This suggests that a near N gain in SQNR is possible for an N-channel array of DDSs. This gain will be most apparent for low-bit DACs in which quantization noise is notably higher than the thermal noise contribution. Lastly, the measurements of the correlation of quantizer nonlinearity spurs demonstrate that the second and third harmonics are highly correlated across channels for all frequencies tested. This means that there is no benefit to using an array of DDSs for the problems of in-band quantizer nonlinearities. As a result, alternate methods of harmonic spur management must be employed.

Digital frequency relaying based on the modified least mean square method

This research presents a method for frequency estimation in power systems using an adaptive filter based on the Least Mean Square Algorithm (LMS). In order to analyze a power system, three-phase voltages were converted into a complex signal applying the alpha beta-transform and the results were used in an adaptive filtering algorithm. Although the use of the complex LMS algorithm is described in the literature, this paper deals with some practical aspects of the algorithm implementation. In order to reduce computing time, a coefficient generator was implemented. For the algorithm validation, a computing simulation of a power system was carried Out using the ATP software. Many different situations were Simulated for the performance analysis of the proposed methodology. The results were compared to a commercial relay for validation, showing the advantages of the new method. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Proposal for underwater structural analysis using the techniques of ESPI and digital holography

The purpose of this article is to study the application of the holographic interferometry techniques in the structural analysis of submarine environment. These techniques are widely used today, with applications in many areas. Nevertheless, its application in submarine environments presents some challenges. The application of two techniques, electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) and digital holography, comparison of advantages and disadvantages of each of them is presented. A brief study is done on the influence of water properties and the optical effects due to suspended particles as well as possible solutions to minimize these problems. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methods of Fourier optics in digital holographic microscopy

In this paper, processing methods of Fourier optics implemented in a digital holographic microscopy system are presented. The proposed methodology is based on the possibility of the digital holography in carrying out the whole reconstruction of the recorded wave front and consequently, the determination of the phase and intensity distribution in any arbitrary plane located between the object and the recording plane. In this way, in digital holographic microscopy the field produced by the objective lens can be reconstructed along its propagation, allowing the reconstruction of the back focal plane of the lens, so that the complex amplitudes of the Fraunhofer diffraction, or equivalently the Fourier transform, of the light distribution across the object can be known. The manipulation of Fourier transform plane makes possible the design of digital methods of optical processing and image analysis. The proposed method has a great practical utility and represents a powerful tool in image analysis and data processing. The theoretical aspects of the method are presented, and its validity has been demonstrated using computer generated holograms and images simulations of microscopic objects. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative analysis of the ground reaction forces, during the support phase, in a group of pregnant women on their 3rd trimester of pregnancy and in a group of not pregnant women

PURPOSE: To analyze and compare the Ground Reaction Forces (GRF), during the stance phase of walking in pregnant women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and non pregnant women. METHODS: 20 women, 10 pregnant and 10 non pregnant, voluntarily took part in this study. GRF were measured (1000 Hz) using a force platform (BERTEC 4060-15), an amplifier (BERTEC AM 6300) and an analogical-digital converter of 16 Bits (Biopac). RESULTS: The study showed that there were significant differences among the two groups concerning absolute values of time of the stance phase. In what concerns to the normalized values the most significant differences were verified in the maximums values of vertical force (Fz3, Fz1) and in the impulse of the antero-posterior force (Fy2), taxes of growth of the vertical force, and in the period of time for the antero-posterior force (Fy) be null. CONCLUSIONS: It is easier for the pregnant to continue forward movement (push-off phase). O smaller growth rates in what concerns to the maximum of the vertical force (Fz1) for the pregnant, can be associated with a slower speed of gait, as an adaptation strategy to maintain the balance, to compensate the alterations in the position of her center of gravity due to the load increase. The data related to the antero-posterior component of the force (Fy), shows that there is a significant difference between the pregnant woman’s left foot and right foot, which accuses a different functional behavior in each one of the feet, during the propulsion phase (TS).

Magnetized color flavor locked state and compact stars

The stability of the color flavor locked phase in the presence of a strong magnetic field is investigated within the phenomenological MIT bag model, taking into account the variation of the strange quark mass, the baryon density, the magnetic field, as well as the bag and gap parameters. It is found that the minimum value of the energy per baryon in a color flavor locked state at vanishing pressure is lower than the corresponding one for unpaired magnetized strange quark matter and, as the magnetic field increases, the energy per baryon decreases. This implies that magnetized colorflavor locked matter is more stable and could become the ground state inside neutron stars. The mass-radius relation for such stars is also studied.