We explored photothermal quantitative phase imaging (PTQPI) of living cells with functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) utilizing a cost-efficient setup based on a cell culture microscope. The excitation light was modulated by a mechanical chopper wheel with low frequencies. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) was performed with Michelson interferometer-based off-axis digital holographic microscopy and a standard industrial camera. We present results from PTQPI observations on breast cancer cells that were incubated with functionalized gold NPs binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor. Moreover, QPI was used to quantify the impact of the NPs and the low frequency light excitation on cell morphology and viability.

Date Published: 21 February 2017
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 10074, Quantitative Phase Imaging III, 100740Q (21 February 2017);

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10074:
Quantitative Phase Imaging III
Gabriel Popescu; YongKeun Park, Editor(s)