Simulation of simultaneous measurement for red blood cell thickness and refractive index

Red blood cell (RBC) parameters are of great importance for diagnostic purposes. Using the simulation method, the variations of both the thickness and the refractive index of a RBC were investigated in a dual-medium quantitative measurement (DMQ), which is realized via phase-shifting digital holography with two types of cell media. Results show that both the calculated thickness and the calculated refractive index agree well with the original ones with an average relative deviation of 2.13% and of 0.12% in valid regions, respectively. The simulation for RBC will provide some guidance for experimental parameter setting and data processing in DMQ.

► We simulate the optical processing of duel-medium quantitative measurement(DMQ).
► We calculate the thickness and refractive index of a RBC.
► The measurement error of the thickness is small in any regions.
► The refractive index is valid in region where thickness is higher than 10 nm.
► The veracity and the reliability of DMQ are confirmed in cell measurement.