Spectral-domain optical coherence phase microscopy: A new optical imaging tool for quantitative biology

Quantifying depth-resolved nanoscale dynamics in biological specimens (e.g., cells) provides a new dimension of study, which may serve as a means of phenotypically differentiating cellular responses to external stimuli and measuring molecular interactions in diverse platforms. Spectral-domain optical coherence phase microscopy (SD-OCPM) represents a novel optical microscopy technique, capable of measuring optical path-length changes inside the specimens with nanometer-level sensitivity. In this chapter, we describe operating principle and implementation of SD-OCPM. Theoretical discussion of SD-OCPM phase stability and spatial resolution will be presented, along with representative applications of SD-OCPM for quantitative biology. Future outlook and potential applications of SD-OCPM will also be discussed.