Multi-probe ptychographic iterative engine method

Abstract As a lensfree imaging technique, ptychographic iterative engine (PIE) can provide quantitative amplitude and phase distributions of samples in an extremely large field of view but without aberrations. However, relying on the single pinhole scanning, PIE is time-consuming in both diffraction recording and sample reconstruction, thus limiting its potentiality in dynamic imaging applications. In order to reduce the diffraction captures and increase its processing efficiency, we design the multi-probe PIE, in which a pinhole array is adopted instead of traditionally used single pinhole, thus diffractions at different positions can be captured simultaneously. Moreover, the multi-probe PIE reconstruction algorithm is also implemented to further accelerate the sample reconstruction speed. Proved by experiments, less than 10 s is required for diffraction recording for a large field of view of ∼ 150 mm 2 and combining with the modified multi-probe PIE reconstruction algorithm, high-resolution quantitative sample information can be extracted accurately with much faster speed compared to traditional PIE reconstruction algorithm. It is believed the proposed multi-probe PIE can be future applied in dynamic imaging.