Pushing phase and amplitude sensitivity limits in interferometric microscopy

Abstract

Sensitivity of the amplitude and phasemeasurements in interferometric microscopy is influenced by factors such as instrument design and environmental interferences. Through development of a theoretical framework followed by experimental validation, we show photon shot noise is often the limiting factor in interferometric microscopy measurements. Thereafter,wedemonstratehowa state-of-the-art camera with million-level electrons full well capacity can significantly reduce shot noise contribution resulting in a stability of optical path length down to a few picometers even in a near-common-path interferometer.