Twin-beams digital holography for 3D tracking and quantitative phase-contrast microscopy in microfluidics

We report on a compact twin-beam interferometer that can be adopted as a flexible diagnostic tool in microfluidic platforms with twofold functionality. The novel configuration allows 3D tracking of micro-particles and, at same time, can simultaneously furnish Quantitative Phase-contrast maps of tracked micro-objects by interference microscopy, without changing the configuration. Experimental demonstration is given on for in vitro cells in a microfluidic environment. (C) 2011 Optical Society of America