ECE MS Thesis Defense: Hafiyya Malik

MS Thesis Defense: Studies for Improving Multi-channel Confocal Fluorescence Imagining in a Multi-modal Microscope

Hafiyya Malik

Location: Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 988 8423 1362 Passcode: 399185

Abstract: The goal of this engineering thesis was to implement confocal fluorescence microscopy in an upgraded legacy electro-optical microscopy system for characterization of the viability of cells in biofilms. This application necessitated a 2-channel fluorescence measurement with the possible addition of confocal reflectance for context. Two major areas were addressed. First was the potential for using a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detector to replace the usual vacuum photomultiplier employed in confocal fluorescence microscope. A SiPM development board was purchased and tested to determine its performance at different light levels and in the presence of background light. The SiPM has the potential to be a more robust and reliable detector, with the one disadvantage of a smaller area than some vacuum photomultipliers. The second area was the alignment of a long optical path that must include optics for complementary modes of imaging and allow for automated measurement across two spectral channels without loss of alignment. Alignment procedures were developed to simplify the process of alignment and a sliding stage was used to maintain alignment of two dichroic filters when changing channels. Based on this work, multi-channel confocal fluorescence imaging in conjunction with confocal reflectance and bright-field microscope will be possible.