Telight Holographic Incoherenct-ligh-source Quantitative Phase Imaging (Q-Phase)

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Description:

Q-Phase is a cutting-edge microscope system designed for high-precision, label-free quantitative phase imaging (QPI). Based on a patented technology of coherence-controlled holographic microscopy, Q-Phase uses an incoherent light source to deliver high-quality, artefact-free imaging—overcoming the common drawbacks of laser-based systems.

At the core of Q-Phase is a 660 nm LED light source, with the beam split into two paths: one passing through the sample, the other through a reference. Upon recombination, a digital hologram is generated, capturing both amplitude and phase information in real time. This approach enables non-invasive, high-contrast imaging with exceptional sensitivity.

In cell biology, QPI is particularly valuable: phase shifts directly correspond to cell dry mass, offering an accurate, quantitative metric for assessing cell health, growth, and behavior—without the need for labels or dyes.

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Publications:

• BOUCHAL, Z.; BOUCHAL, P.; CHMELÍKOVÁ, T.; FIURÁSEK, J., 2024: On quantitativeness of diffraction-limited quantitative phase imaging. APL PHOTONICS , p. 126111-1 - 14, doi: 10.1063/5.0232405; FULL TEXT
  (Q-Phase)
• TOLDE, O.; GANDALOVIČOVÁ, A.; KŘÍŽOVÁ, A.; VESELÝ, P.; CHMELÍK, R.; RÖSEL, D.; BRÁBEK, J., 2018: Quantitative phase imaging unravels new insight into dynamics of mesenchymal and amoeboid cancer cell invasion. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 8, p. 1 - 13, doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-30408-7; FULL TEXT
  (Q-Phase)
• BABOCKÝ, J.; KŘÍŽOVÁ, A.; ŠTRBKOVÁ, L.; KEJÍK, L.; LIGMAJER, F.; HRTOŇ, M.; DVOŘÁK, P.; TÝČ, M.; ČOLLÁKOVÁ, J.; KŘÁPEK, V.; KALOUSEK, R.; CHMELÍK, R.; ŠIKOLA, T., 2017: Quantitative 3D phase imaging of plasmonic metasurfaces. ACS PHOTONICS 4(6), p. 1389 - 9, doi: 10.1021/acsphotonics.7b00022; FULL TEXT
  (MIRA-EBL, EVAPORATOR, LYRA, Q-Phase)
• KOLLÁROVÁ, V.; ČOLLÁKOVÁ, J.; DOSTÁL, Z.; VESELÝ, P.; CHMELÍK, R., 2015: Quantitative phase imaging through scattering media by means of coherence-controlled holographic microscope. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 20(11), p. 1112016-1 - 8, doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.11.111206; FULL TEXT
  (Q-Phase)
• ČOLLÁKOVÁ, J.; KŘÍŽOVÁ, A.; KOLLÁROVÁ, V.; DOSTÁL, Z.; SLABÁ, M.; VESELÝ, P.; CHMELÍK, R., 2015: Coherence-controlled holographic microscopy enabled recognition of necrosis as the mechanism of cancer cells death after exposure to cytopathic turbid emulsion.. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 20(11), p. 111213-1 - 7, doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.20.11.111213; FULL TEXT
  (Q-Phase)

• BALVAN, J.; GUMULEC, J.; RAUDENSKÁ, M.; KŘÍŽOVÁ, A.; ŠTĚPKA, P.; BABULA, P.; KIZEK, R.; ADAM, V.; MASAŘÍK, M., 2015: Oxidative Stress Resistance in Metastatic Prostate Cancer: Renewal by Self-Eating. PLOS ONE 10(12), p. 1 - 23, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145016; FULL TEXT
  (Q-Phase)
• BALVAN, J.; KŘÍŽOVÁ, A.; GUMULEC, J.; RAUDENSKÁ, M.; SLÁDEK, Z.; SEDLÁČKOVÁ, M.; BABULA, P.; SZTALMACHOVÁ, M.; KIZEK, R.; CHMELÍK, R.; MASAŘÍK, M., 2015: Multimodal Holographic Microscopy: Distinction between Apoptosis and Oncosis. PLOS ONE 10(3), p. 1 - 16, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121674; FULL TEXT
  (Q-Phase)
• LOŠŤÁK, M.; CHMELÍK, R.; SLABÁ, M.; SLABÝ, T., 2014: Coherence-controlled holographic microscopy in diffuse media. OPTICS EXPRESS 22(4), p. 4180 - 16, doi: 10.1364/OE.22.004180; FULL TEXT
  (Q-Phase)
• SLABÝ, T.; KOLMAN, P.; DOSTÁL, Z.; ANTOŠ, M.; LOŠŤÁK, M.; CHMELÍK, R., 2013: Off-axis setup taking full advantage of incoherent illumination in coherence-controlled holographic microscope. OPTICS EXPRESS 21(12), p. 14747 - 16, doi: 10.1364/OE.21.014747; FULL TEXT
  (Q-Phase)

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Specification:

Q-Phase is engineered for ease of use and experimental flexibility, featuring: 

• Motorized hardware: Automated objective exchange, sample stage control, and focusing
• Automated acquisition: Time-lapse, multiposition, multichannel, and Z-stack capabilities
• Integrated fluorescence module: Seamlessly combine quantitative phase and fluorescence imaging for correlative, multimodal analysis
• Microscope incubator: Microscope-compatible incubator with adjustable temperature for live-cell experiments
• Advanced analysis software: Comprehensive tools for quantification, segmentation, and cell tracking 

 

Key Features 

• Quantitative Phase Imaging: Label-free, non-invasive imaging without halos, speckles, or parasitic interference
• Live-cell imaging: Low phototoxicity; ideal for long-term time-lapse and multi-field experiments
• Real-time quantification: Direct measurement of cell dry mass, without scanning
• Accurate segmentation & tracking: Clear backgrounds and precise cell boundary detection
• Multimodal capabilities: Overlay quantitative phase and fluorescence images for comprehensive insights
• High-contrast visualization: Capture fine cellular structures and compartments 
• Imaging in scattering media: Effective in scattering and turbid media environments (callagen gells, 3D matrices) 

 

Objective Lenses Nikon

• 4× Plan Achromat, NA 0.1, WD 30 mm 
• 10× Plan Fluor, NA 0.3, WD 16 mm 
• 20× Plan Fluor, NA 0.5, WD 2.1 mm 
• 40× Plan Apo, NA 0.95, WD 0.17–0.25 mm 

 

Fluorescence Filters 

• DAPI / FITC / TRITC / Cy5 
• GFP / mCherry 

 

Applications Examples 

• Long-term live-cell imaging, stem cells and cancer research 
• Monitoring cellular growth throughout the cell cycle 
• Studying morphology and dry mass changes after treatments 
• Investigating different forms of cell death 
• And many more applications in biology and beyond 

 

Q-Phase is also suitable for non-biological and material science studies. 

The system is available for scientific use, testing, and custom applications. 

Developed in collaboration with Telight, Q-Phase incorporates a globally unique technology protected by patents in the EU, USA, and EA, with pending applications in other regions. 

For the latest updates and detailed specifications, visit the Telight website.