Device for observing a sample by imaging

A device for observing a sample, comprising

• a light source, configured to emit a light wave in a direction of propagation, according to an emission wavelength;
• an image sensor, comprising several pixels;
• a plurality of convergent microlenses, each microlens being disposed facing a pixel, each microlens comprising an image focus, each microlens being configured to form, from light waves from the light source, being propagated parallel to the direction of propagation, a light wave beam converging towards the image focus of said microlens;
• the device being configured to hold the sample between the light source and microlenses forming a matrix;
• wherein
• the device comprises several attenuating elements, each attenuating element being associated with a microlens and with a pixel, each attenuating element being configured to attenuate the light waves converging towards the image focus of the lens with which it is associated;
• each attenuating element is:
• either a mask that is opaque to the emission wavelength;
• or a phase-shifting element, formed from a transparent material arranged to induce a phase-shift, the phase-shift being determined with respect to a light wave being propagated in the absence of the attenuating element;
• each attenuating element extends between the microlens and the pixel with which it is associated;
• such that each attenuating element attenuates each light wave being propagated to or from the image focus of a microlens.