IMTI team develops innovative microscopes to image unlabeled samples. Such systems achieve 3D refractive index distribution measurements at cellular level, with twice-improved resolution compared to conventional optical microscopes. We have achieved several premieres in the domain:
2009: world-first TDM with improved resolution: 130 nm, world record at that time (Opt. Lett. 34, p. 79 (2009)).
2010: world-first images in correlative TDM-Fluorescence microscopy (J. Biophoton. 3, p. 462 (2010)).
2010: world-first dual transmission-reflection TDM images (J. Mod. Opt. 57, p. 740 (2010)).
2014: world-first high lateral resolution/high longitudinal precision profilometry (Appl. Opt. 53, p. 748 (2014)).
2017: world-first improved and isotropic resolution TDM images (≈180 nm in 3D, distinguishing absorption and refraction. This achievement was awarded the cover of Optica, April 2017 (Optica 4, p. 460 (2017)).
2019: world-first experimental mirror-assisted TDM images (albeit in simplified configuration) (J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 36, COF1 (2019)).