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Space-time (ST) wave packets are pulsed optical beams endowed with precise spatio-temporal structure by virtue of which they exhibit unique and useful characteristics such as propagation invariance and tunable group velocity. We study in detail here, and in two accompanying papers, the refraction of ST wave packets at planar interfaces between non-dispersive, homogeneous, and isotropic dielectrics. We formulate a law of refraction that determines the change in the ST wave-packet group velocity across such an interface as a consequence of a newly identified optical refractive invariant that we call the “spectral curvature”. Because the spectral curvature vanishes in conventional optical fields where the spatial and temporal degrees of freedom are separable, these phenomena have not been observed to date. We derive the laws of refraction for baseband, X wave, and sideband ST wave packets that reveal fascinating refractive phenomena, especially for the former class of wave packets. We predict theoretically, and confirm experimentally in the accompanying papers, refractive phenomena such as group-velocity invariance (ST wave packets whose group velocity does not change across the interface), anomalous refraction (group-velocity increase in higher-index media), group-velocity inversion (change in the sign of the group velocity upon refraction but not its magnitude), and the dependence of the group velocity of the refracted ST wave packet on the angle of incidence.

Space-time (ST) wave packets are propagation-invariant pulsed beam endowed with a tight correlation between the underlying spatial and temporal frequencies. We present a theoretical formulation and experimental demonstration of sub-millimeter incoherent ST light sheets traversing 110 m without significant diffraction. We synthesize ST fields of beam width ~ 0.7 mm from a superluminescent diode with a bandwidth of ~20 nm centered at 840 nm and observe propagation-invariant behavior across a distance of over 100-m distance in free-space. Finally, we study the effect of the aperture on the propagation distance and far-field beam size of ST light sheets.

We formulate and confirm experimentally a new law of refraction for wave packets endowed with judicious spatio-temporal correlations, which reveals an anomalous-refraction regime: the pulse speeds up when traveling from low-index to high-index non-dispersive media.

Following Fermat's principle, it is intuitively assumed that a pulse always slows down while traveling from low index to high index materials. Here we show that structuring a wave-packet both spatially and temporally challenges this well-established intuition, unveiling anomalous refractive phenomena – group velocity of a pulse increases while traversing denser media. We present a theoretical formulation as well as an experimental demonstration of this remarkable behavior by making use of 'space-time' wave-packets – propagation-invariant pulsed beam endowed with tight correlations between spatial and temporal degrees-of-freedom. We observe the boost of group velocity at the interface of various optical materials (BK7, MgF2, and Sapphire) with air.

We show that introducing tight spatio-temporal correlations into a wave-packet unveils remarkable dynamical refractive phenomena, such as group-velocity invariance with respect to the refractive index and group-delay cancellation while traversing a bilayer of optical materials.

We investigate the properties of an incoherent spatio-temporally structured field including its propagation-invariant nature and the effect of the aperture for extended propagation distances.

We demonstrate free-space optical delay lines that make use of diffraction-free space-time wave-packets whose group velocities are continuously tunable in free space, and thus provides a potential platform for all-optical buffers by providing group delays that far exceed the pulse widths.

We investigate the effects of the spectral uncertainty on the maximum differential group delay (DGD) for a finite-energy space-time wave-packet, showing the maximum DGD that can be obtained with respect to a reference pulse at c.

In this paper, we propose a new asymmetric method for double image encryption using the two-dimensional non-separable linear canonical transform (2D NS-LCT) and an iterative phase retrieval algorithm (PRA). First an encryption security key is generated using the PRA. Then two images (2D intensities) are combined to form a complex image. The 2D NS-LCT of this complex valued image is then obtained. A nonlinear phase truncation operation is applied to the transformed image and the amplitude is retained and used as the private key. The phase term is multiplied by the security PRA generated key and the inverse 2D NS-LCT is applied to the result giving the output encrypted image. The robustness of the proposed technique is tested against noise, occlusion and chosen-plaintext attacks. Numerical results are presented demonstrating the security of the proposed technique.

Refraction at the interface between two materials is fundamental to the interaction of light with photonic devices and to the propagation of light through the atmosphere at large1. Underpinning the traditional rules for the refraction of an optical field is the tacit presumption of the separability of its spatial and temporal degrees of freedom. We show here that endowing a pulsed beam with precise spatiotemporal spectral correlations2–4 unveils remarkable refractory phenomena, such as group-velocity invariance with respect to the refractive index, group-delay cancellation, anomalous group-velocity increase in higher-index materials, and tunable group velocity by varying the angle of incidence. A law of refraction for ‘spacetime’ (ST) wave packets5–10 encompassing these effects is verified experimentally in a variety of optical materials. Spacetime refraction defies our expectations derived from Fermat’s principle and offers new opportunities for moulding the flow of light and other wave phenomena. An appropriately designed pulsed beam crossing an interface is shown to enable phenomena including anomalous group-velocity increase in higher-index materials, and tunable group velocity by varying the angle of incidence.

The refraction of space-time (ST) wave packets at planar interfaces between non-dispersive, homogeneous, isotropic dielectrics exhibits fascinating phenomena, even at normal incidence. Examples of such refractive phenomena include group-velocity invariance across the interface, anomalous refraction, and group-velocity inversion. Crucial differences emerge at oblique incidence with respect to the results established at normal incidence. For example, the group velocity of the refracted ST wave packet can be tuned simply by changing the angle of incidence. In the third paper, we present experimental verification of the refractive phenomena exhibited by ST wave packets at oblique incidence that were in the first paper of this sequence [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 38, 1409 (2021)10.1364/JOSAA.430105]. We also examine a proposal for “blind synchronization,” whereby identical ST wave packets arrive simultaneously at different receivers without a priori knowledge of their locations except that they are all located at the same depth beyond an interface between two media. A first proof-of-principle experimental demonstration of this effect is provided.

The refraction of space-time (ST) wave packets offers many fascinating surprises with respect to conventional pulsed beams. In the first paper in this sequence [J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 38, 1409 (2021)10.1364/JOSAA.430105], we theoretically described the refraction of all families of ST wave packets at normal and oblique incidence at a planar interface between two nondispersive, homogeneous, isotropic dielectrics. Here, in this second paper in the sequence, we present experimental verification of the refractive phenomena predicted for baseband ST wave packets upon normal incidence on a planar interface. Specifically, we observe group velocity invariance, normal and anomalous refraction, and group velocity inversion leading to group delay cancellation. These phenomena are verified in a set of optical materials with refractive indices ranging from 1.38 to 1.76, including M g F 2 , fused silica, BK7 glass, and sapphire. We also provide a geometrical representation of the physics associated with anomalous refraction in terms of the dynamics of the spectral support domain for ST wave packets on the surface of the light cone.

In this paper, we propose a new quick response (QR) code-based non-linear technique for image encryption using Shearlet transform (ST) and spiral phase transform. The input image is first c...

In this paper, we propose a new technique for security enhancement in optical image encryption system. In this technique we have used the Kronecker product of two random matrices along with the double random phase encoding (DRPE) scheme in the Fresnel domain for optical image encryption. The phase masks used here are different than the random masks used in conventional DRPE scheme. These hybrid phase masks are generated by using the combination of random phase masks and a secondary image. For encryption, the input image is first randomized and then the DRPE in the Fresnel domain is performed using the hybrid phase masks. Secondly, the Kronecker product of two random matrices is multiplied with the DRPE output to get the final encoded image for transmission. The proposed technique consists of more unknown keys for enhanced security and robust against various attacks. The simulation results along with effects under various attacks are presented in support of the proposed technique.

Influence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) on parafoveal retinal thicknesses and their ratios was evaluated. Six retinal layer boundaries were segmented from spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images using open-source software. Five study groups: (1) healthy control (HC) subjects, and subjects with (2) controlled DM, (3) uncontrolled DM, (4) controlled DR and (5) uncontrolled DR, were identified. The one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) between adjacent study groups (i. e. 1 with 2, 2 with 3, etc) indicated differences in retinal thicknesses and ratios. Overall retinal thickness, ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, inner plexiform layer (IPL) thickness, and their combination (GCL+ IPL), appeared to be significantly less in the uncontrolled DM group when compared to controlled DM and controlled DR groups. Although the combination of nerve fiber layer (NFL) and GCL, and IPL thicknesses were not different, their ratio, (NFL+GCL)/IPL, was found to be significantly higher in the controlled DM group compared to the HC group. Comparisons of the controlled DR group with the controlled DM group, and with the uncontrolled DR group, do not show any differences in the layer thicknesses, though several significant ratios were obtained. Ratiometric analysis may provide more sensitive parameters for detecting changes in DR. Picture: A representative segmented OCT image of the human retina is shown.

An optical buffer featuring a large delay-bandwidth-product—a critical component for future all-optical communications networks—remains elusive. Central to its realization is a controllable inline optical delay line, previously accomplished via engineered dispersion in optical materials or photonic structures constrained by a low delay-bandwidth product. Here we show that space-time wave packets whose group velocity is continuously tunable in free space provide a versatile platform for constructing inline optical delay lines. By spatio-temporal spectral-phase-modulation, wave packets in the same or in different spectral windows that initially overlap in space and time subsequently separate by multiple pulse widths upon free propagation by virtue of their different group velocities. Delay-bandwidth products of ~100 for pulses of width ~1 ps are observed, with no fundamental limit on the system bandwidth., Delay lines are a critical part of future optical communications. Here, the authors create a delay line in free space by tuning the group velocities of multiple inline space-time wavepackets to introduce different delays.

The propagation distance of a pulsed beam in free space is ultimately limited by diffraction and space-time coupling. “Space-time” (ST) wave packets are pulsed beams endowed with tight spatio-temporal spectral correlations that render them propagation-invariant. Here we explore the limits of the propagation distance for ST wave packets. Making use of a specially designed phase plate inscribed by gray-scale lithography and having a laser-damage threshold of ∼0.5 J/cm2, we synthesize a ST light sheet of width ≈700 μm and bandwidth ∼20 nm, and confirm a propagation distance of ≈70 m.

Space–time (ST) wave packets are coherent pulsed beams that propagate diffraction free and dispersion free by virtue of tight correlations introduced between their spatial and temporal spectral degrees of freedom. Less is known of the behavior of incoherent ST fields that maintain the spatio–temporal spectral structure of their coherent wave-packet counterparts while losing all purely spatial or temporal coherence. We show here that structuring the spatio–temporal spectrum of an incoherent field produces broadband incoherent ST fields that are diffraction free. The intensity profile of these fields consists of a narrow spatial feature atop a constant background. Spatio–temporal spectral engineering allows controlling the width of this spatial feature, tuning it from a bright to a dark diffraction-free feature, and varying its amplitude relative to the background. These results pave the way to new opportunities in the experimental investigation of optical coherence of fields jointly structured in space and time by exploiting the techniques usually associated with ultrafast optics.

Introducing correlations between the spatial and temporal degrees of freedom of a pulsed optical beam (or wave packet) can profoundly alter its propagation in free space. Indeed, appropriate spatiotemporal spectral correlations can render the wave packet propagation-invariant: the spatial and temporal profiles remain unchanged along the propagation axis. The spatiotemporal spectral locus of any such wave packet lies at the intersection of the light cone with tilted spectral hyperplanes. We investigate $(2+1)\mathrm{D}$ propagation-invariant ``space-time'' light sheets and identify ten classes categorized according to the magnitude and sign of their group velocity and the nature of their spatial spectrum---whether the low spatial frequencies are physically allowed or forbidden according to their compatibility with causal excitation and propagation. We experimentally synthesize and characterize all ten classes using an experimental strategy capable of synthesizing space-time wave packets that incorporate arbitrary spatiotemporal spectral correlations.

We show that endowing a wave-packet with judicious spatio-temporal correlations unveils remarkable dynamical refractive phenomena, such as group-velocity invariance with respect to the refractive index, group-delay cancellation, and anomalous group-velocity increase in higher-index materials.

The group velocity of 'space-time' wave packets $-$ propagation-invariant pulsed beams endowed with tight spatio-temporal spectral correlations $-$ can take on arbitrary values in free space. Here we investigate theoretically and experimentally the maximum achievable group delay that realistic finite-energy space-time wave packets can achieve with respect to a reference pulse traveling at the speed of light. We find that this delay is determined solely by the spectral uncertainty in the association between the spatial frequencies and wavelengths underlying the wave packet spatio-temporal spectrum $-$ and not by the beam size, bandwidth, or pulse width. We show experimentally that the propagation of space-time wave packets is delimited by a spectral-uncertainty-induced `pilot envelope' that travels at a group velocity equal to the speed of light in vacuum. Temporal walk-off between the space-time wave packet and the pilot envelope limits the maximum achievable differential group delay to the width of the pilot envelope. Within this pilot envelope, the space-time wave packet can locally travel at an arbitrary group velocity and yet not violate relativistic causality because the leading or trailing edge of superluminal and subluminal space-time wave packets, respectively, are suppressed once they reach the envelope edge. Using pulses of width $\sim$4ps and a spectral uncertainty of $\sim$ 20 pm, we measure maximum differential group delays of approximately $\pm$ 150 ps, which exceed previously reported measurements by at least three orders of magnitude.

We investigate theoretically and experimentally the maximum group delay that realistic finite-energy space-time wave-packets can achieve with respect to a pulse traveling at c, and find that the delay is solely determined by the spectral uncertainty.

To gain a quantitative understanding of the way cells sense, process, and respond to dynamic environmental signals in real-time requires developing in vitro model systems that accurately replicate the 3D structure and function of native tissue. A high-resolution projection stereolithography apparatus (μSLA) capable of multimaterial and grayscale 3D patterning of cells and biomaterials at

Understanding cell mechanotransduction is important for discerning matrix structure-cell function relationships underlying health and disease. Despite the crucial role of mechanochemical signaling in phenomena such as cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation, measuring the cell-generated forces at the interface with the extracellular matrix during these biological processes remains challenging. An ideal method would provide continuous, non-destructive images of the force field applied by cells, over broad spatial and temporal scales, while simultaneously revealing the cell biological process under investigation. Toward this goal, we present the integration of a new real-time traction stress imaging modality, Hilbert phase dynamometry (HPD), with the technique of spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) for label free monitoring of cell growth. HPD relies on extracting the displacement field in a deformable substrate, which is chemically patterned with a fluorescent grid. The displacements introduced by the cell are captured by thephaseof the periodic signal associated with the grid, borrowing concepts from holography. The displacement field is uniquely converted into forces by solving an elasticity inverse problem. Because the measurement of displacement only uses the epi-fluorescence channel of an inverted microscope, we can simultaneously achieve measurements in transmission. We performed SLIM and extracted cell mass on the same field of view in addition to the measured displacement field. We used this technique to study mesenchymal stem cells and found that cells undergoing osteogenesis and adipogenesis exerted larger and more dynamic stresses than their precursor. Our results indicate that the MSCs develop the smallest forces and growth rates. We anticipate that simultaneous cell growth and traction measurements will improve our understanding of mechanotransduction, particularly during dynamic processes where the matrix properties provide context to guide cells towards a physiological or pathological outcome, e.g., tissue morphogenesis, or cancer metastasis.

We classify all propagation-invariant pulsed beams (or wave packets) with respect to their group velocity, direction of propagation, and spatial-frequency content. We identify 10 unique classes that we synthesize experimentally using a single optical arrangement.

We synthesize propagation-invariant space-time wave packets in the form of a pulsed light-sheet of transverse spatial width ~ 200 µm and spectral bandwidth of ~2 nm, and observe its diffraction-free propagation for a record ~6 meters.

We demonstrate real-time quantitative phase imaging as a new optical approach for measuring the evaporation dynamics of sessile microdroplets. Quantitative phase images of various droplets were captured during evaporation. The images enabled us to generate time-resolved three-dimensional topographic profiles of droplet shape with nanometer accuracy and, without any assumptions about droplet geometry, to directly measure important physical parameters that characterize surface wetting processes. Specifically, the time-dependent variation of the droplet height, volume, contact radius, contact angle distribution along the droplet's perimeter, and mass flux density for two different surface preparations are reported. The studies clearly demonstrate three phases of evaporation reported previously: pinned, depinned, and drying modes; the studies also reveal instances of partial pinning. Finally, the apparatus is employed to investigate the cooperative evaporation of the sprayed droplets. We observe and explain the neighbor-induced reduction in evaporation rate, that is, as compared to predictions for isolated droplets. In the future, the new experimental methods should stimulate the exploration of colloidal particle dynamics on the gas-liquid-solid interface.

In this paper, we propose a new technique for double image encryption in the Fresnel domain using wavelet transform (WT), gyrator transform (GT) and spiral phase masks (SPMs). The two input mages are first phase encoded and each of them are then multiplied with SPMs and Fresnel propagated with distances d 1 and d 2 , respectively. The single-level discrete WT is applied to Fresnel propagated complex images to decompose each into sub-band matrices i.e. LL, HL, LH and HH. Further, the sub-band matrices of two complex images are interchanged after modulation with random phase masks (RPMs) and subjected to inverse discrete WT. The resulting images are then both added and subtracted to get intermediate images which are further Fresnel propagated with distances d 3 and d 4 , respectively. These outputs are finally gyrator transformed with the same angle α to get the encrypted images. The proposed technique provides enhanced security in terms of a large set of security keys. The sensitivity of security keys such as SPM parameters, GT angle α, Fresnel propagation distances are investigated. The robustness of the proposed techniques against noise and occlusion attacks are also analysed. The numerical simulation results are shown in support of the validity and effectiveness of the proposed technique.

The thermal fluctuations of membranes and nanoscale shells affect their mechanical characteristics. Whereas these fluctuations are well understood for flat membranes, curved shells show anomalous behavior due to the geometric coupling between in-plane elasticity and out-of-plane bending. Using conventional shallow shell theory in combination with equilibrium statistical physics we theoretically demonstrate that thermalized shells containing regions of negative Gaussian curvature naturally develop anomalously large fluctuations. Moreover, the existence of special curves, "singular lines," leads to a breakdown of linear membrane theory. As a result, these geometric curves effectively partition the cell into regions whose fluctuations are only weakly coupled. We validate these predictions using high-resolution microscopy of human red blood cells (RBCs) as a case study. Our observations show geometry-dependent localization of thermal fluctuations consistent with our theoretical modeling, demonstrating the efficacy in combining shell theory with equilibrium statistical physics for describing the thermalized morphology of cellular membranes.

Spatio-temporal structuring affords new opportunities for controlling pulsed optical beams.

Can an optical pulse traverse a non-dispersive material at the speed of light in vacuum? Because traditional approaches for controlling the group velocity of light manipulate either the material or structural resonances, an absence of dispersion altogether appears to exclude such a prospect. Here we demonstrate theoretically and experimentally that “space–time” wave packets—pulsed beams in which the spatial and temporal degrees of freedom are tightly intertwined—can indeed traverse a non-dispersive transparent optical material at the speed of light in vacuum. We synthesize wave packets whose spatio-temporal spectra lie along the intersection of the material’s light-cone with a spectral hyperplane tilted to coincide with the vacuum light-line. By measuring the group delay interferometrically with respect to a generic reference pulse, we confirm that the wave packet group velocity in a variety of materials (including water, glass, and sapphire) is the speed of light in vacuum.

Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial reaction of nasomaxillary complex to protraction force using electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI). Materials and methods: The experiment was done on a dry human skull. Orthopedic protraction forces were applied bilaterally at two different levels; one at the occlusal level and the other at about 15 mm above the occlusal plane and the bone response was studied at two different parameters for each point of force application, namely reactions at 0° angulation and 20° downward to the occlusal plane and to two different force magnitudes of 10 ounces (280 gm) and 16 ounces (453.6 gm). The tests were repeated after expansion and the bone response patterns were compared with preexpansion patterns. Results: The results showed that when a protraction force was applied at the occlusal level, maxilla underwent anterior displacement and counterclockwise rotation. Maxilla underwent pure translation without rotational component when the protraction force was applied at 15 mm above the occlusal plane at an angle of 20° downward to the occlusal plane with activation of the rapid expansion screw by quarter turn. The image obtained during translation was used to locate the center of resistance of nasomaxillary complex. Conclusion: The study highlighted the importance of expanding the maxilla prior to or during the application of protraction force. ESPI is a valuable tool in the evaluation of initial bone response following orthopedic traction in orthodontics.

We present phase correlation imaging (PCI) as a novel approach to study cell dynamics in a spatially-resolved manner. PCI relies on quantitative phase imaging time-lapse data and, as such, functions in label-free mode, without the limitations associated with exogenous markers. The correlation time map outputted in PCI informs on the dynamics of the intracellular mass transport. Specifically, we show that PCI can extract quantitatively the diffusion coefficient map associated with live cells, as well as standard Brownian particles. Due to its high sensitivity to mass transport, PCI can be applied to studying the integrity of actin polymerization dynamics. Our results indicate that the cyto-D treatment blocking the actin polymerization has a dominant effect at the large spatial scales, in the region surrounding the cell. We found that PCI can distinguish between senescent and quiescent cells, which is extremely difficult without using specific markers currently. We anticipate that PCI will be used alongside established, fluorescence-based techniques to enable valuable new studies of cell function.

We performed ratiometric analysis of retinal optical coherence tomography images for the first time in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The ratiometric analysis identified differences in several retinal layer thickness ratios in the cohort of MS subjects without a history of optic neuritis (ON) compared to healthy control (HC) subjects, and there was no difference in standard retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT). The difference in such ratios between HC subjects and those with mild MS-disability, without a difference in RNFLT, further suggests the possibility of using layer ratiometric analysis for detecting early retinal changes in MS. Ratiometric analysis may be useful and potentially more sensitive for detecting disease changes in MS.

Although retinal vasculitis is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), it is not known if MS is associated with quantitative abnormalities in retinal blood vessels (BVs). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is suitable for examining the integrity of the anterior visual pathways in MS. In this paper we have compared the size and number of retinal blood vessels in patients with MS, with and without a history of optic neuritis (ON), and control subjects from the cross-sectional retinal images from OCT. Blood vessel diameter (BVD), blood vessel number (BVN), and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) were extracted from OCT images collected from around the optic nerves of 129 eyes (24 control, 24 MS + ON, 81 MS-ON) of 71 subjects. Associations between blood vessel metrics, MS diagnosis, MS disability, ON, and RNFLT were evaluated using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models. MS eyes had a lower total BVD and BVN than control eyes. The effect was more pronounced with increased MS disability, and persisted in multivariate models adjusting for RNFLT and ON history. Twenty-nine percent (29%) of MS subjects had fewer retinal blood vessels than all control subjects. MS diagnosis, disability, and ON history were not associated with average blood vessel size. The relationship between MS and lower total BVD/BVN is not accounted for by RNFLT or ON. Further study is needed to determine the relationship between OCT blood vessel metrics and qualitative retinal blood vessel abnormalities in MS.

We present a new method, referred to as phase correlation imaging (PCI), to study cell dynamics and function through temporal phase correlation analysis. PCI offers label-free, high-performance, simple-design, as well as suitability for operation in a conventional microscopy setting. PCI works without the need for controlled or synchronized photoactivation and sophisticated acquisition schemes, and only involves taking a sequence of phase images. The PCI image incorporates information on the phase fluctuations induced by both Brownian motion and deterministic motion of intracellular transport across large scales. We employed spatial light interference microscopy (SLIM) recently developed in our laboratory to experimentally measure quantitative phase information which renders the thickness and refractive index of cellular components without adding contrast agents. The acquisition process is repeated to obtain time-lapse phase images. We calculate the correlation time at each pixel for acquired time-lapse phase images and obtain the correlation time map in space. By temporal correlation analysis, PCI reveals cell dynamics information, which is complementary to quantitative phase imaging itself.

Traction force microscopy is the most widely used technique for studying the forces exerted by cells on deformable substrates. However, the method is computationally intense and cells have to be detached from the substrate prior to measuring the displacement map. We have developed a new method, referred to as Hilbert phase dynamometry (HPD), which yields real-time force fields and, simultaneously, cell dry mass and growth information. HPD operates by imaging cells on a deformable substrate that is patterned with a grid of fluorescent proteins. A Hilbert transform is used to extract the phase map associated with the grid deformation, which provides the displacement field. By combining this information with substrate stiffness, an elasticity model was developed to measure forces exerted by cells with high spatial resolution. In our study, we prepared 10kPa gels and them with a 2-D grid of FITC-conjugated fibrinogen/fibronectin mixture, an extracellular matrix protein to which cells adhere. We cultured undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and MSCs that were in the process of undergoing adipogenesis and osteogenesis. The cells were measured over the course of 24 hours using Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM) and wide-field epi-fluorescence microscopy allowing us to simultaneously measure cell growth and the forces exerted by the cells on the substrate.

Phase retrieval in two-wavelength DSSI (digital speckle shearing interferometry) using a combined filtering method is proposed for small deformation derivative measurement. A simultaneous two-wavelength illumination and 3-CCD camera are employed in the experimental setup. The proposed method, which uses a two-wavelength technique does not require the conventional spatial phase unwrapping and has the advantage of good noise suppression for phase retrieval. Experimental results obtained show that using the proposed combined filtering method sensitivity similar to the single wavelength technique can be achieved.

A novel optical system is proposed that implements digital speckle pattern interferometry (DSPI) and digital speckle photography (DSP) simultaneously using two wavelength illumination of an object for simultaneous measurement of all three components of the displacement vector field. A collimated red light illuminates both the object and a reference surface in a DSPI configuration which is sensitive to out-of-plane displacement field while a blue light illuminates the object in a DSP configuration which is sensitive to in-plane displacement fields. A color 3-CCD camera records the red and blue lights individually through its red and blue channels, respectively. Two reference images and one image in the deformed state of the object are required for quantitative measurement. Experimental results are presented to validate the system.

Methods for phase retrieval in digital speckle shearing interferometry (DSSI) with relatively large deformation are proposed using a single wavelength illumination with windowed Fourier filtering (WFF) and two-wavelength simultaneous illumination with iterative sine–cosine average filtering (ISCAF). For relatively large deformation measurement, WFF technique has a higher noise suppression capability than ISCAF technique but requires careful selection of the processing parameters, while ISCAF is a simple filtering with less parameter setting. Both methods for phase retrieval are discussed. Experimental results show that both methods are capable of noise suppression in the phase retrieval for relatively large deformation.