Rat mast cells
Conventional brightfield image
Note the low contrast caused by the cells being
almost totally transparent.
QPI phase image
Although the cells have almost no effect on the intensity or
colour of the light, they do affect its phase. The QPI algorithm
is highly sensitive, and can show a surprising amount of detail. Furthermore, the contrast
in the phase image shows the relative change in optical thickness of the various cells.
QPI phase image (false colour)
Here the phase image has been coloured with a false colour
palette to highlight some of the detail present within the
cells.
Sample courtesy J. Holst, Centre for Immunology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Australia.