Spatial coherence control and analysis via micromirror-based mixed-state ptychography

Flexible and fast control of the phase and amplitude of coherent light, enabled by digital micromirror devices (DMDs) and spatial light modulators, has been a driving force for recent advances in optical tweezers, nonlinear microscopy, and wavefront shaping. In contrast, engineering spatially partially coherent light remains widely elusive due to the lack of tools enabling a joint analysis and control sequence. Here, we report an approach to coherence engineering that combines a quasi-monochromatic, thermal source and a DMD together with a ptychographic scanning microscope. The reported method opens up new routes to low-cost coherence control, with applications in micromanipulation, nanophotonics, and quantitative phase contrast imaging.

Automated summary

This study presents an approach to coherence engineering that combines a quasi-monochromatic thermal source and a DMD, enabling control over spatially partially coherent light through a ptychographic scanning microscope. This method opens up new routes to low-cost coherence control, with potential applications in micromanipulation, nanophotonics, and quantitative phase contrast imaging.