Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a surface wave enabled darkfield aperture structure comprising an aperture layer, a aperture in the aperture layer and a plurality of grooves around the aperture. The aperture layer has a first and second surface. The plurality of grooves is in the first surface. A surface wave propagates along at least the first surface. The plurality of grooves is configured to generate a darkfield at the aperture by modifying the surface wave to cancel out direct transmission of a uniform incident light field received by the aperture.

Abstract: A wavefront microscope or camera utilizes a wavefront sensor to measure the local intensity and phase gradient of the wavefront and output image maps based on the intensity and phase gradient. A wavefront sensor provides a metal film having patterned structured two dimensional (2D) apertures that convert a phase gradient of a wavefront into a measurable form onto a photodetector array. A computer is used to analyze the data by separating signals projected and recorded on the array from the different apertures, predict a center of each projection, and sum signals for each projection to display the intensity while determining a center position change/offset from the predicted center to display the phase gradient of the wavefront.

Abstract: A differential interference contrast (DIC) determination device and method utilizes an illumination source, a layer having a pair of two apertures that receive illumination from the illumination source, and a photodetector to receive Young's interference from the illumination passing through the pair of two apertures. In addition, a surface wave assisted optofluidic microscope and method utilize an illumination source, a fluid channel having a layer with at least one aperture as a surface, and a photodetector that receives a signal based on the illumination passing through the aperture. The layer is corrugated (e.g., via fabrication) and parameters of the corrugation optimize the signal received on the photodetector.

Abstract: An optofluidic microscope device is disclosed. The device includes a fluid channel having a surface and an object such as a bacterium or virus may flow through the fluid channel. Light imaging elements in the bottom of the fluid channel may be used to image the object.

Abstract: A differential interference contrast (DIC) determination device and method utilizes an illumination source, a layer having a pair of two apertures that receive illumination from the illumination source, and a photodetector to receive Young's interference from the illumination passing through the pair of two apertures. In addition, a surface plasmon assisted optofluidic microscope and method utilize an illumination source, a fluid channel having a layer with at least one aperture as a surface, and a photodetector that receives a signal based on the illumination passing through the aperture. The layer is corrugated (e.g., via fabrication) and parameters of the corrugation optimize the signal received on the photodetector.

Abstract: Optofluidic microscope devices and methods of using optofluidic microscope devices, where each optofluidic device comprises a body with a fluid channel having a surface, light transmissive regions in the body wherein the light transmissive regions have different dimensions, an illumination source adapted to provide illumination through the light transmissive regions, and an optical detector adapted to receive light from the illumination source through the light transmissive regions. The light transmissive regions and optical detector can be used to image an object flowing through the fluid channel.