Eagle‐Eye Inspired Meta‐Device for Phase Imaging

• Published in: Advanced materials (Weinheim) 2024-08, Vol.36 (32), p.e2402751-n/a
• Main Authors: Zhou, Junxiao, Tian, Fanglin, Hu, Jie, Shi, Zhixia(Linda), Godinez, Veronica Gomez, Tsai, Din Ping, Liu, Zhaowei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Image acquisition; Kidneys; Laser ablation; metalens; meta‐devices; Object recognition; quantitative phase imaging; Tracking devices
• ISSN: 0935-9648; 1521-4095; 1521-4095
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202402751

The dual‐focus vision observed in eagles' eyes is an intriguing phenomenon captivates scientists since a long time. Inspired by this natural occurrence, the authors’ research introduces a novel bifocal meta‐device incorporating a polarized camera capable of simultaneously capturing images for two different polarizations with slightly different focal distances. This innovative approach facilitates the concurrent acquisition of underfocused and overfocused images in a single snapshot, enabling the effective extraction of quantitative phase information from the object using the transport of intensity equation. Experimental demonstrations showcase the application of quantitative phase imaging to artificial objects and human embryonic kidney cells, particularly emphasizing the meta‐device's relevance in dynamic scenarios such as laser‐induced ablation in human embryonic kidney cells. Moreover, it provides a solution for the quantification during the dynamic process at the cellular level. Notably, the proposed eagle‐eye inspired meta‐device for phase imaging (EIMPI), due to its simplicity and compact nature, holds promise for significant applications in fields such as endoscopy and headsets, where a lightweight and compact setup is essential. The eagle's eyes, equipped with bifocals, demonstrate the ability to capture the bear, analogous to the authors’ designed meta‐device with two focal lengths, which enables the capture of phase information from the “transparent bear.”