Advanced quantitative phase imaging (QPI) modules

Name: Advanced quantitative phase imaging (QPI) modules
SKU: 6543

Modality

System Details

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Modalities:

Spatial Light Interference Microscopy [SLIM], for thin samples
Gradient Light Interference Microscopy [GLIM], for thicker samples

Key Features:

Label-free, quantitative phase imaging for live cells and tissues.
Non-invasive: eliminates need for exogenous contrast agents or dyes.
Compatible with major inverted microscopes from Zeiss, Nikon, Leica, and Olympus.
Two complementary modules: SLIM optimized for transparent monolayers, GLIM optimized for thick or scattering samples.
Seamless software integration through the CellVista platform (manual ROI to full 4D automated acquisition).
Multi-modal imaging using same camera for seamless channel registration: fluorescence, brightfield (including phase contrast or DIC), and QPI (SLIM or GLIM).
Capable of 3D tomography via optical sectioning (z-stack) enabled by coherence gating

Suggested Applications

Cell growth and proliferation studies
Organoid and 3D culture imaging
Live-cell tomography
Dry mass measurement and cell cycle analysis
Neuroscience and brain tissue imaging
Label-free drug response assays

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Spatial Light Interference Microscopy [SLIM]

The SLIM module uses the light path of a phase contrast microscope, adding a spatial light modulator in the Fourier plane to measure absolute phase shifts with milliradian sensitivity. It is ideal for thin, transparent specimens such as adherent live cells, providing high-resolution maps of cell mass, morphology, and growth dynamics.

Gradient Light Interference Microscopy [GLIM]

The GLIM module leverages differential interference contrast (DIC) illumination combined with a liquid crystal variable retarder to measure phase gradients in thicker, scattering specimens. This makes GLIM particularly well-suited for 3D cultures, organoids, and tissue imaging where optical sectioning and tomographic reconstruction are required.

CellVista Software Integration

Both SLIM and GLIM integrate with the CellVista software suite, providing intuitive workflows from simple manual region-of-interest acquisition to automated multi-ROI, 2D/3D scanning, and 4D time-lapse imaging. CellVista ensures compatibility with popular analysis platforms such as ImageJ/FIJI, CellProfiler, and MATLAB, and supports export of data in standard formats for advanced analysis.

By combining sensitivity, versatility, and ease of integration, Phi Optics’ SLIM and GLIM modules empower researchers to explore dynamic biological processes with precision and without perturbing the natural state of living samples.

	CellVista SLIM	CellVista GLIM
MICROSCOPE CONFIGURATION
Minimal for manual ROI imaging (BASIC) — Supported stands & illumination	Inverted stand (Zeiss, Nikon, Leica, Olympus). Phase Contrast illumination with Ph objectives (10×–100×, dry/oil) and condenser turret (Ph1–Ph3 rings).	Inverted stand (Zeiss, Nikon, Leica, Olympus). DIC illumination with DIC/BF objectives (10×–100×, dry/oil) and condenser turret (DIC I, II, III prisms).
Recommended for multi‑ROI, 2D/3D scanning, multichannel (PRO)	Motorized stands: Zeiss AXIO Observer 7, Nikon ECLIPSE Ti2, Leica DMi8, Olympus IX83 with motorized Z‑drive & XY stage; Phase Contrast; optional fluorescence (light source, filters, auto turret).	Motorized stands: Zeiss AXIO Observer 7, Nikon ECLIPSE Ti2, Leica DMi8, Olympus IX83 with motorized Z‑drive & XY stage; DIC; optional fluorescence (light source, filters, auto turret).
STANDARD CONFIGURATIONS (HARDWARE + SOFTWARE)
BASIC module & performance	SLIM Basic hardware module with standard SLM; up to 5 fps live SLIM at full camera resolution.	GLIM Basic hardware module with standard LCVR; up to 5 fps live GLIM at full camera resolution.
PRO module & performance	SLIM Pro hardware with high‑speed SLM; up to 15 fps live SLIM at full camera resolution.	GLIM Pro hardware with high‑speed LCVR; up to 15 fps live GLIM at full camera resolution.
Software platform	CellVista Basic (manual ROI, timelapse, fluorescence channels). CellVista Pro (2D/3D automated scanning, timelapse, fluorescence).	CellVista Basic (manual ROI, timelapse, fluorescence channels). CellVista Pro (2D/3D automated scanning, timelapse, fluorescence).
PC & OS (standard)	SLIM‑compatible desktop PC incl. monitor & accessories; Windows 10 Pro 64‑bit.	GLIM‑compatible desktop PC incl. monitor & accessories; Windows 10 Pro 64‑bit.
Compatible cameras	USB sCMOS Camera (Basic); High‑speed (CameraLink or CoaXPress) >80% QE sCMOS (Pro)	USB sCMOS Camera (Basic); High‑speed (CameraLink or CoaXPress) >80% QE sCMOS (Pro)
HARDWARE MODULE DIMENSIONS
Module size (W×D×H)	48.3 × 37.6 × 11.2 cm (19.0 × 14.8 × 4.4 in). Height‑alignment pins used to match microscope camera port (pin hardware not in dims).	9 × 9 × 9 cm (3.5 × 3.5 × 3.5 in).
Controller cable	Ribbon cable from SLIM module to SLM controller: 61 cm (24 in).	Cable from GLIM module to LCVR controller: 61 cm (24 in).
MICROSCOPE CAMERA PORT CONNECTION
Adapter	Use regular 1× C‑mount adapter (no magnification).	Use regular 1× C‑mount adapter (no magnification).
CAMERAS TYPICALLY PAIRED WITH CELLVISTA
Models	See "Camera Selection" tab	See "Camera Selection" tab
ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS
Operating temperature	+10 °C to +40 °C.	+10 °C to +40 °C.
Storage / transport	−30 °C to +60 °C.	−30 °C to +60 °C.
Vibration / table	Low‑vibration, passive damping optical table, 4 × 3 ft (metric or imperial taps).	—
Power requirements	100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.	100–240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.
IMAGE PROCESSING & DISPLAY / SPEED
Live display / acquisition speed	SLIM: up to 15 fps at full camera resolution (with CellVista Pro & compatible PC). Regular microscope channels up to 100 fps (standard config).	GLIM: up to 15 fps at full camera resolution (with CellVista Pro & compatible PC). Regular microscope channels up to 100 fps (standard config).
IMAGE ACQUISITION SOFTWARE — CELLVISTA PLATFORM
Live channels & manual ROI	Live SLIM, fluorescence, brightfield, phase contrast; manual ROI (snapshots).	Live GLIM, fluorescence, brightfield, DIC; manual ROI (snapshots).
Automated control (PRO)	Controls shutters, condenser, fluorescence turret, Z‑drive, XY stage.	Controls shutters, condenser, fluorescence turret, Z‑drive, XY stage.
Tomogram (PRO)	Automated Z‑stack (step defined by motorized focus).	Automated Z‑stack (step defined by motorized focus).
GridScan (PRO)	Programmed area scan with focus maps, stitching, background correction.	Programmed area scan with focus maps, stitching, background correction.
Timelapse	Automated time series (timesteps & cycles).	Automated time series (timesteps & cycles).
4D operation	Multi‑ROI sequences: multichannel (SLIM, fluorescence, BF, PhC), GridScan, Tomogram, Timelapse.	Multi‑ROI sequences: multichannel (GLIM, fluorescence, BF, DIC), GridScan, Tomogram, Timelapse.
Output format	TIFF, no compression, up to full camera resolution (e.g., 2048×2048), 32‑bit float.	TIFF, no compression, up to full camera resolution (e.g., 2048×2048), 32‑bit float.
SDK	Available for integration with microscope control software.	Available for integration with microscope control software.
IMAGE ANALYSIS SOFTWARE & TOOLKIT
Compatibility	ImageJ/FIJI, CellProfiler, IMARIS, MetaMorph, ZEN, NIS‑Elements, MATLAB.	ImageJ/FIJI, CellProfiler, IMARIS, MetaMorph, ZEN, NIS‑Elements, MATLAB.
Plugin toolkit (examples)	Stitching/mosaics; 3D Z‑assembly; object counting & morphology; dry mass per object & population; time‑dependent statistics (export to Excel).	Stitching/mosaics; 3D Z‑assembly; object counting & morphology; dry mass per object & population; time‑dependent statistics (export to Excel).
MEASUREMENT RESOLUTION
Transverse resolution (example)	Diffraction‑limited; e.g., ~250 nm with 63×/1.4 NA objective.	Diffraction‑limited; e.g., ~250 nm with 63×/1.4 NA objective.
Axial optical sectioning (with high NA)	Up to ~1 µm for 1.4 NA objectives.	Up to ~1 µm for 1.4 NA objectives.

TE-Cooled:

Peak QE **:

Spectral Options:

wdt_ID	Camera Series	TE-cooled	Peak QE **	Spectral Options	#MegaPixels	Read Noise [e-] RMS	Number of Pixels	Pixel size	Sensor Diagonal	Shutter Type	Max Frame Rate **	Interface	Max Dynamic Range
1	Dhyana 95V2	Yes	95	Monochrome / UV	4.0	1.7	2048 x 2048	11 x 11	31.9	RS	48	USB3.0 \| CameraLink	58800 : 1
2	pco.edge 4.2 bi	Yes	95	Monochrome / UV	4.0	1.8 \| 1.1 (Low Light Mode)	2048 x 2048	6.5 x 6.5	18.8	RS	40	USB 3.1 Gen 1	26600 : 1
3	pco.edge 4.2	Yes	82	Monochrome	4.0	0.8	2048 x 2048	6.5 x 6.5	18.8	RS	40 \| 100	USB3.0 \| 10G FOL (CLHS)	37500 : 1
4	pco.edge 26	Yes	72	Monochrome	26.0	2.3	5120 x 5120	2.5 x 2.5	18.1	GS	7	USB 3.1 Gen 1	2000 : 1
5	pco.edge 5.5	Yes	60	Monochrome / Color	5.5	1	2560 x 2160	6.5 x 6.5	21.8	RS, GS, GR	30 \| 100	USB3.0 \| 10G FOL (CLHS)	30000 : 1
6	pco.panda 4.2 bi	No	95	Monochrome / UV	4.0	1.8 \| 1.1 (Low Light Mode)	2048 x 2048	6.5 x 6.5	18.8	RS	40	USB 3.1 Gen 1	26600 : 1
7	pco.panda 4.2	No	80	Monochrome / Color	4.0	2.1	2048 x 2048	6.5 x 6.5	18.8	RS	40	USB 3.1 Gen 1	21400 : 1
8	pco.edge 3.1	Yes	60	Monochrome / Color	3.1	1.1	2048 x 1536	6.5 x 6.5	16.6	RS, GS, GR	50	USB 3.0	27000 : 1
9	pco.panda 26	No	65	Monochrome / Color	26.0	2.3	5120 x 5120	2.5 x 2.5	18.1	GS	7	USB 3.1 Gen 1	2000 : 1
10	pco.edge 10 bi	Yes	85	Monochrome	10.5	0.7 (slow-scan) \| 1.3 @ 122fps	4416 x 2368	4.6	23.05	RS	122	10G FOL (CLHS)	14000:1
12	pco.edge 9.4 bi	Yes	85	Monochrome	9.4	0.3 (slow-scan) \| 0.4 (fast-scan)	4096 x 2300	4.6	21.6	RS	122	10G FOL (CLHS)	20000:1

SLIM and GLIM screenshot from Video

CellVista SLIM PRO module installed on a Nikon Eclipse Ti2 microscope

CellVista GLIM PRO module installed on a Nikon Eclipse Ti2 microscope

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