Spatially-multiplexed interferometric microscopy (SMIM): Converting a standard microscope into a holographic one

We report on an extremely simple, low cost and highly stable way to convert a standard microscope into a holographic one. The proposed architecture is based on a common-path interferometric layout where the input plane is spatially-multiplexed to allow reference beam transmission in a common light-path with the imaging branch. As consequence, the field of view provided by the layout is reduced. The use of coherent illumination (instead of the broadband one included in the microscope) and a properly placed one-dimensional diffraction grating (needed for the holographic recording) complete the experimental layout. The proposed update is experimentally validated in a regular Olympus BX-60 upright microscope showing calibration (USAF resolution test) as well as biological (red blood cells and sperm cells) images for different microscope objectives.