<title>Advanced optics module for monitoring protein crystal growth in microgravity</title>

Abstract

Understanding the phenomena of protein crystal growth has become a critical factor in the advancement of fundamental life sciences. To characterize this process, sensitive non-intrusive monitoring systems must be utilized in a micro-gravity environment We believe detailed optical monitoring to be the superior technique for use in micro-gravity. The proposed approach includes monitoring the nucleation event, rate and form of crystal growth, and protein density variations throughout the cell volume with four different optical metrology methods running concurrently. The system will incorporate photon correlation spectroscopy, interferometry, Zemike phase contrast imagery, and high-resolution polarization microscopy. These four systems have all been combined into a single optical module that provides crystal growth process data. The module utilizes the emerging technologies of binary optics and solid optics to shrink and stabilize the system (patent-pending).

Macromolecular Crystal Growth in Microgravity

“…ESA, NASA, and NASDA are all developing phase-shift Mach-Zehnder instruments at this time and each using a different approach; NASA is using solid optics components [182,183], ESA conventional optical designs, and NASDA a unique design based on polarization recombination [191]. As seen, for example, in Figure 94, this phase-shift Mach-Zehnder technology can be effectively used to visualize depletion zones even in the convection dominated environment of earth.…”