Tunable meta-device for large depth of field quantitative phase imaging

In traditional optical imaging, image sensors only record intensity information, and phase information of transparent samples such as cells and semiconductor materials is hard to obtain. Quantitative phase imaging techniques are crucial for obtaining detailed phase information, but current methods often require complex interferometric setups or mechanical adjustments, limiting their practical applicability. Here, we proposed a novel meta-device integrating a PB phase-based meta-lens, a refractive lens, and an electronically tunable lens with a polarization camera to capture multiple defocused images simultaneously for the transport of intensity equation-based phase retrieval algorithm. By leveraging the distinct focus lengths for left-circularly polarized and right-circularly polarized light, the meta-device eliminates the need for multiple shots and mechanical movements. Our approach enables rapid, precise, quantitative phase imaging at different depths. The experiment shows the accuracy of our methods is 98.47 % and with a 2.52 mm depth range of the objects that can be retrieved, making it highly suitable for dynamic and depth-varying samples, such as cells in solution. © 2025 the author(s), published by De Gruyter.