Guided-wave and ellipsometric imaging of supported cells

In this study, results are reported from guided-wave microscopy and imaging ellipsometry near the angle of resonant excitation of an optical guided mode in planar wave guides with metal and dielectric layers. The main goal was to test their ability to detect micro-organisms (Escherichia coli) attached to a support. For this purpose, images from the two techniques were compared with an optical image and good agreement was found. The reasons for the differences between the pictures obtained with wave-guide microscopy and imaging ellipsometry were investigated and it was found that both the reduced plasmon propagation length and the use of additional polarizing elements contributed to the improved quality of the latter.