Interface self-referenced dynamic full-field optical coherence tomography

Dynamic full-field optical coherence tomography (D-FFOCT) has recently emerged as an invaluable live label-free and non-invasive imaging modality able to image subcellular biological structures and their metabolic activity within complex 3D samples. However, DFFOCT suffers from fringe artefacts when imaging near reflective surfaces and is highly sensitive to vibrations. Here, we present interface Self-Referenced (iSR) D-FFOCT, an alternative configuration to D-FFOCT that takes advantage of the presence of the sample coverslip in between the sample and the objective by using it as a defocused reference arm, thus avoiding the aforementioned artefacts. We demonstrate the ability of iSR D-FFOCT to image 2D fibroblast cell cultures, which are among the flattest mammalian cells.

Automated summary

Dynamic full-field optical coherence tomography (D-FFOCT) is a valuable imaging technique that can capture subcellular biological structures and metabolic activity in complex 3D samples in real time without the need for labeling or invasion. However, DFFOCT often encounters fringe artifacts near reflective surfaces and is highly sensitive to vibrations. In this study, we propose a new configuration called interface Self-Referenced (iSR) D-FFOCT, which uses the sample coverslip as a defocused reference arm, effectively eliminating the aforementioned artifacts. We demonstrate the imaging capability of iSR D-FFOCT on 2D fibroblast cell cultures, which are known for their flatness.