位相型光瞳滤波器对共焦系统离焦工作状态横向分辨特性的影响

分析了共焦显微系统(CMS)离焦状态工作时分辨特性的变化,指出了离焦状态是导致CMS横向分辨特性变差的主要影响因素之一。提出并采用了位相型超分辨光瞳滤波技术来改善CMS工作在离焦状态下的横向分辨特性,分析了超分辨光瞳滤波器位置变化对CMS横向分辨特性的影响。理论分析和实验验证表明,位相型超分辨光瞳滤波技术的引入,显著抑制了CMS工作在离焦状态时艾里斑旁瓣的增长,克服了CMS因工作在离焦状态而引起的横向分辨特性下降的缺点。     

Structured interference optical coherence tomography

We developed a structured interference optical coherence tomography (SIOCT) to enhance the lateral resolution beyond the diffraction limit. A sinusoidal pattern is created on the interferometric beam with the reference intensity temporally modulated. In the Fourier domain, the high spatial frequencies are shifted into the detectable range, which enhances the lateral resolution beyond the diffraction limit by a factor of 2. The lateral resolution of SIOCT was characterized in our study as ～5.5 μm, surpassing the diffraction limit ～9.6 μm as in conventional Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography. SIOCT was demonstrated on phantoms and ex vivo adipose tissues.     

Simple and robust digital holography for high-resolution imaging

Based on the point spread function of holographic system,the lateral resolution of digital holographic imaging system without any pre-magnification is studied.The expression of resolution limitation of holographic imaging system is thus presented.We investigate the possibilities to improve the lateral resolution.The simple experimental setup with an off-axis arrangement is built.By using a U.S.Air Force(USAF)test target as microscopic object,the recorded holograms are reconstructed digitally based on the principle of Fresnel diffraction.The lateral resolution of 2.76 μm without any pre-magnification is demonstrated experimentally,which matches the theoretical prediction well.     

Effects of device resolution on three-dimensional integral imaging

We present the effects of a finite number of pixels in elemental images on the resolution and the depth of focus in three-dimensional integral imaging (II). We show that the number of pixels in elemental images determines not only the lateral resolution but also the depth resolution. The minimum number of pixels required in each elemental image is calculated to avoid depth-of-focus degradation. We evaluate how II system performance degrades as the number of pixels in each elemental image changes. The product of the depth of focus and the lateral resolution squared is used as the performance metric.     

预放大数字全息显微系统的特点

为了提高预放大数字全息显微系统的成像质量,采用理论分析与实验验证相结合的方法,分别对采用平面及球面参考光记录的预放大数字全息显微系统进行了研究和比较。结果表明:在通常的实验条件下,系统的横向分辨力主要取决于显微物镜的成像分辨力;记录距离较小时,两种系统的横向分辨力均随着记录距离的增大略有降低;但当记录距离较大时,球面参考光预放大数字全息系统的横向分辨力降低得更为明显,即平面参考光预放大数字全息显微系统较为优越;在记录距离为0的情况下,即像面数字全息成像情况下,两种系统的再现像均具有最高的分辨力,在利用普通工业用传感器条件下,横向分辨力远超过了2.19 m,且像质较好。因此,尽可能减小全息图的记录距离,或者采用像面数字全息系统,可以有效提高数字全息系统的成像分辨力。     

大粘度复合纳米材料面投影微立体光刻系统的分辨率研究

 基于数字微反射镜的动态掩膜面投影微立体光刻技术是一种基于快速原型制造思想的新型微细结构加工手段,其系统中常用树脂槽和涂覆装置使得其无法适用于粘度大的固化材料。为实现粘度大的复合纳米材料的固化制造,构建了新型的基于数字微反射镜技术的动态掩膜微立体光刻系统,该系统的加工横向分辨率由系统的光学分辨率与树脂特性共同决定。当单层树脂固化厚度超过临界值时,系统的横向分辨率将降低。根据实验中测量光学系统的分辨率以及树脂的工作曲线,得到本系统的最高横向分辨率可以达到14 μm。     

Development of a scanning microscopy by total internal reflection coupled with thermal lens spectroscopy

Non-destructive measurement of a small region on a solid/liquid interface is of great importance in physical chemistry and biochemistry, especially in the research of thin films and cell membranes. Optical methods for surface analysis with high lateral resolution are suitable methods for monitoring them. We now report a new scanning optical microscopic method to which total internal reflection coupled with a thermal lens technique was introduced. Its lateral resolution was estimated both experimentally and theoretically. To experimentally estimate the resolution, the grid patterns of thin photoresist films with well-defined lateral structures were measured. The experimental resolution was about 45 microm, which was almost same as the diameter of the excitation beam at a glass/sample interface. From this result, it was verified that this new scanning microscopy ideally worked.     

具有高空间分辨力的整形环形光式差动共焦测量法

提出一种新的具有高空间分辨力的整形环形光式差动共焦测量方法。该方法通过整形环形光式共焦测量法和锐化爱里斑主瓣，改善系统横向分辨力；通过差动共焦测量法改善系统的轴向分辨力，最终达到提高系统空间分辨能力的目的。理论分析和实验表明：整形环形光内孔归一化半径ε越大，横向分辨力改善越明显，量程扩展范围越宽；当入射光波长λ=632.8nm，物镜数值孔径取NA=0.85，ε=0.5时，该系统的横向分辨力优于0.2μm，轴向分辨力优于2nm。该方法为光触针测量系统空间分辨力的提高提供了1种新的方法，可广泛应用于超精密三维微细结构工件的超精密测量。     

Quantitative assessment of lateral resolution improvement in digital holography

Controllable experimental features such as wavelength, camera’s specifications and reconstruction distance, determine the theoretical limit for lateral resolution in digital holography; however, due to the speckle noise associated to any coherent imaging system it is not possible to reach this theoretical limit. In this paper, a quantitative study the lateral resolution for digital holography under the effect the speckle noise is carried out. It is shown that by reducing the contrast of the speckle noise the resolution capabilities of digital holography are improved; the signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed holograms is the metric use to quantitatively assess the reached resolution in the holographic experiments.     

In-focus Fourier-domain Optical Coherence Tomography by Complex Numerical Method

We introduce a numerical in-focus Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography(in-focus FD-OCT) which can measure cross-sectional images of samples with the high lateral resolution comparable with the resolution in the focal plane in overall range of measurement. In this method, the lateral resolution is enhanced by lateral signal processing of a complex OCT image obtained with FD-OCT. Quantitative evaluation of this method and application to measurement of a porcine eyeball are presented.     

Near field imaging in microwave regime using double layer split-ring resonator based metamaterial

A planar metamaterial structure consisting of two layers of split-ring resonator (SRR) arrays is demonstrated to form the image of a point source with subwavelength resolution. The source frequency is swept through the resonance gap of the metamaterial layers and the lateral field intensity distribution is recorded on the transmission side of the metamaterial. When the source is tuned to the resonance frequency of SRRs, the metamaterial acts as a high permeability medium and a distinct image with subwavelength resolution in the lateral direction is obtained. Increasing the distance between the individual SRR layers reduces the interlayer coupling, and the intensity and spatial resolution of the image decrease rapidly.     

High-resolution optical coherence tomography over a large depth range with an axicon lens

In optical coherence tomography, axial and lateral resolutions are determined by the source coherence length and the numerical aperture of the sampling lens, respectively. Whereas axial resolution can be improved by use of a broadband light source, there is a trade-off between lateral resolution and focusing depth when conventional optical elements are used. We report on the incorporation of an axicon lens into the sample arm of an interferometer to overcome this limitation. Using an axicon lens with a top angle of 160 degrees , we maintained 10-microm or better lateral resolution over a focusing depth of at least 6 mm. In addition to having high lateral resolution, the focusing spot has an intensity that is approximately constant over a greater depth range than when a conventional lens is used.     

Magnetic microstructures and their dynamics studied by X-ray microscopy

Full-field soft X-ray microscopy in combination with X-ray magnetic circular dichroism as contrast mechanism is a powerful technique to image with elemental specificity magnetic nanostructures and multilayered thin films at high lateral resolution down to 15nm by using Fresnel zone plates as X-ray optical elements. Magnetization reversal phenomena on a microscopic level are studied by recording the images in varying external magnetic fields. Local spin dynamics at a time resolution below 100ps can be addressed by engaging a stroboscopic pump-and-probe scheme taking into account the time pattern of synchrotron storage rings. Characteristic features of magnetic soft X-ray microscopy are reviewed and an outlook into future perspectives with regard to increased lateral and temporal resolution is given.     

Improving the lateral resolution in confocal fluorescence microscopy using laterally interfering excitation beams

The confocal fluorescence microscope is the instrument of choice for biologists. However, compared to other instruments, its resolution is still limited. We propose a simple technique, based on laterally interfering beams, to improve the resolution. One technique consists in using a halve phase plate to modify the illumination, combined with a laterally offset detection. A 90 nm lateral resolution is obtained for properly prepared specimens using readily available dyes. Another approach is to use several excitation beams, slightly shifted and properly dephased, to decrease the lateral extension of the PSF. With this approach, a lateral resolution of 75 nm is predicted with the advantage of a regular confocal detection. Finally, we show how using these techniques in combination with a two-color two-photon excitation could permit to further improve the resolution to 60 nm.     

Studies on aperture synthesis in digital Fresnel holography

Aperture synthesis can improve image resolution in digital holography by increasing the numerical aperture of the system. In this paper, we show that both the lateral resolution and image field of view can be enhanced at the same time using a more general Fresnel holography setup and hologram stitching. The impact of aperture synthesis on the lateral resolution is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. In the experiment, the synthesis is executed by moving the compact digital holographic system in two directions. Nine holograms are recorded and stitched into one hologram. The reconstruction results show that expanding aperture improves the lateral resolution. The lensless Fresnel holography used in this paper is demonstrated to have the ability to provide a larger numerical aperture and can compress the object spectrum in recording process.     

利用小尺寸电荷耦合器件实现数字全息高分辨成像

为了在降低数字全息显微成像系统成本的同时实现高分辨成像,对像面数字全息显微术的记录与再现过程进行了理论分析,结合系统的点扩散函数,对该系统的横向分辨率进行了分析. 得到了如下结论：像面数字全息显微系统的横向分辨率对电荷耦合器件（CCD）光敏面尺寸变化不敏感;对于常见的CCD 器件,其像元尺寸的变化对该系统的横向分辨率影响甚微. 此外,对像面数字全息显微系统的成像特点进行了分析,结果表明：利用像面数字全息系统可以实现物体信息的完整记录与再现,其成像分辨率及像质优于预放大数字全息系统. 利用搭建的数字全息实验记录系统,从强度及位相两方面对理论分析结果进行了验证,实验结果表明了理论分析的正确性. 关键词： 像面数字全息术 横向分辨率 点扩散函数 小尺寸电荷耦合器件     

Axial super-resolution by mirror-reflected stimulated emission depletion microscopy

In stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, the lateral resolution is in the range of tens of nanometers depending on the sample and the instrument. The axial resolution, however, is in standard systems limited by diffraction to about 500 nm. We present an approach to three-dimensional diffraction-unlimited resolution by observing the sample at two optical angles. The system is realized by using an atomic force microscope (AFM) chip as a microreflector to deflect the STED beams near the region-of-interest (ROI), thus allowing observations at an angle ∠. Consequently, the superior lateral resolution can be utilized to resolve details in the axial direction of the main optical axis of the microscope. Here, fluorescent nanoparticles 90 nm apart and biological structures 80 nm apart along axial direction were distinguished by utilizing an off-the-shelf, commercial STED microscope, coupled with an AFM and an AFM chip micro-reflector.     

A lateral super-resolution differential confocal technology with phase-only pupil filter

In order to achieve a higher lateral resolution required for ultraprecision measurement of microstructural workpieces, phase-only pupil filtering differential confocal microscopy (PFDCM), a new approach is proposed based on the differential confocal microscopy (DCM), which uses a three-zone phase-only pupil filter with lateral super-resolution capability obtained through optimized design to change the distribution of DCM three-dimensional point spread function, so that the DCM lateral resolution is therefore significantly improved while its axial resolution is slightly improved. Preliminary experimental comparison and analyses indicate that, the lateral and axial resolutions of PFDCM are better than 0.2 μm and 2 nm, respectively, when wavelength of incidence laser beam , numerical aperture of measuring lens NA=0.85, and lateral spot size with a three-zone phase-only pupil filter G_T=0.65. It is therefore concluded that PFDCM is a new approach to further improvement of lateral resolution in laser probe measurement systems.     

Focus depth characteristics of lenses with long focal depth designed by a focal depth function

The validity of a focal length function is investigated in designing optical element with long focal depth and high lateral resolution. The designed lenses with different starting focal length are studied. Two focusing performance measures, focal depth and lateral resolution, are presented. Comparing with the conventional lens and optical element designed by other focal length function, numerical results of the designed optics element indicate that the long focal depth and high lateral resolution are achieved. The validity of the focal length function is confirmed. Meanwhile, the designed optical element is similar with the lens with spherical aberration. It means that one can easily implement long focal depth by applying appropriate phase modulation to a lens with spherical aberration.     

Differential confocal technology based on radial birefringent pupil filtering principle

In order to improve the spatial resolution of a confocal system, a radial birefringent pupil filter (RBPF) is introduced into a differential confocal system. RBPF consists of two polarizers with a birefringent element between them, and its pupil function is deduced from Jones matrix. The thickness and curvature radius of RBPF are optimized independently, using the first zero coordinate ratio. The pupil function is modulated by RBPF to enhance the half-width of the response function, and lateral resolution is improved when response curve is changed with the position of RBPF as well as the polarization; then axial super-resolution of the system can be guaranteed using differential confocal detection mechanism. In comparison with conventional pupil filtering technology, RBPF features high lateral resolution and can be easily produced; moreover, it also has a simple structure. Together with its low cost, RBPF provides a new way for the improvement of super-resolution of confocal system. It is indicated from theoretical analysis and preliminary experiments that the lateral resolution can be significantly improved and the measurement error is reduced by 76 nm when measuring a standard grating of period 3 μm; the axial resolution up to 3 nm has been achieved using the optimized pupil filter. In addition to its application for measurement of a small irregular surface in a limited space, the whole differential confocal system proposed can be fitted onto a coordinate measuring machine for non-contact measurement of dimensions and surface roughness.