Single-shot spatial light interference microscopy for dynamic monitoring of membrane fluctuations

Single-shot spatial light interference microscopy (SS-SLIM) with a pair of non-polarizing beam splitters is proposed for substantially enhancing the speed and efficiency of conventional SLIM systems. Traditional methods are limited by the need for multiple-frame serial modulation and acquisition by spatial light modulators and detectors. Our approach integrates non-polarizing beam splitters to simultaneously capture four phase-shifted intensity images, increasing the imaging speed by at least fourfold while maintaining high quality. This capability is crucial for effectively monitoring the dynamic fluctuations of red blood cell membranes. Furthermore, the potential applications of the SS-SLIM system in biomedical research are demonstrated, particularly in scenarios requiring high temporal resolution and label-free imaging.