Adimec recently sat down with Poorya Hosseini from MIT to discuss his groundbreaking research on interferometric microscopy, which leverages the company’s high full well (HFW) Q-2HFW-CXP camera. The interview explored how this advanced imaging technology pushes the boundaries of sensitivity in phase and amplitude measurements.

Research Background

Optics Letters recently published a paper titled “Pushing phase and amplitude sensitivity limits in interferometric microscopy,” where the Adimec HFW Q-2HFW-CXP camera played a pivotal role. This 2-megapixel CoaXPress sensor delivers 1440×1440 resolution at up to 550 fps using 12-micron pixels, optimized for maximum full well performance with CMOSIS CSI2100 technology. Its standout feature is a full well capacity (FWC) exceeding 2 million electrons per pixel, approximately 100 times higher than typical high-speed CMOS sensors.

This exceptional FWC enables superior shot noise performance—up to 63 dB SNR—allowing precise detection of faint contrast variations in bright environments. The camera was developed as part of the FP7-funded CAReIOCA consortium, showcasing its potential for cutting-edge scientific applications.

Interview Highlights

Q: What kind of research are you conducting with Adimec’s high full well capacity camera?

Poorya explained that his work focuses on developing imaging technologies for biological and medical applications, particularly studying biomechanical factors in blood disorders like sickle cell disease. The HFW camera allows unprecedented precision in monitoring biophysical properties at the single-cell level.

Q: Why is this camera of particular interest to you?

He addressed a debate about sensitivity limits in interferometric microscopy, hypothesizing that photon shot noise—not mechanical vibrations or illumination instability—is the primary constraint. The HFW camera’s ability to capture vast numbers of photons quickly experimentally validated this theory.

Q: What improvements did you observe with the HFWC camera?

Using Adimec’s technology, Poorya demonstrated sensitivity limits as low as several picometers in optical path length measurements, highlighting both the camera’s performance and the stability of near-common-path interferometers. He emphasized that further gains would require even faster photon capture to counteract mechanical vibrations.

Q: Are there other applications for this technology?

Poorya is now applying it to study neuronal signal transduction without labeling, as well as wide-field nonlinear Raman techniques for disease diagnosis and drug delivery research—areas where higher FWC could yield transformative results.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, Poorya aims to explore subtle biological changes in diseases using these tools. He stresses the need for cameras with deeper well depths, more pixels, and faster readout speeds—“more photons per unit time” being a consistent priority—to continue advancing interferometric microscopy research.

Last Updated: 2025-09-04 21:24:47