Sub-Rayleigh ghost imaging via sparsity constraints based on a digital micro-mirror device

In a diffraction-limited system, the imaging resolution limit is given by Rayleigh criterion. When both the image?s sparsity and the point spread function determined by the optical system?s Rayleigh diffraction limit are taken as popular a priori, sub-Rayleigh ghost imaging, which is backed up by numerical simulation and experiments, is achieved by modulating the thermal light with a digital micro-mirror device (DMD). The differences between this approach and former ghost imaging without considering the optical system?s point spread function are also discussed.     

Assessment of image resolution improvement by phase-sensitive optical parametric amplification

Classical information theory can be used to quantify the resolution performance of optical imaging systems. When an optical parametric amplifier (OPA) operated as a phase-sensitive amplifier (PSA) in the transverse spatial domain is used for point source imaging, the angular resolution improvement can approach the de Broglie resolution (i.e. Heisenberg limit). In this paper, classical information theory is employed to quantify the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement for both an ideal and a realistic multimode PSA applied to the problem of sub-Rayleigh imaging. When only considering the noise originating from the detector, the SNR improvement is found to scale quadratically as a function of the PSA gain, in the limit of noise power comparable to signal power. Differences in performance of an ideal PSA and a realistic PSA are discussed.     

Sub-Rayleigh imaging via N-photon detection

The Rayleigh diffraction bound sets the minimum separation for two point objects to be distinguishable in a conventional imaging system. We demonstrate sub-Rayleigh resolution by scanning a focused beam--in an arbitrary, object-covering pattern that is unknown to the imager--and using N-photon photodetection implemented with a single-photon avalanche detector array. Experiments show resolution improvement by a factor ～(N-N(max))(?) beyond the Rayleigh bound, where N(max) is the maximum average detected photon number in the image, in good agreement with theory.     

Resolving starlight: a quantum perspective

ABSTRACT

The wave-particle duality of light introduces two fundamental problems to imaging, namely, the diffraction limit and the photon shot noise. Quantum information theory can tackle them both in one holistic formalism: model the light as a quantum object, consider any quantum measurement, and pick the one that gives the best statistics. While Helstrom pioneered the theory half a century ago and first applied it to incoherent imaging, it was not until recently that the approach offered a genuine surprise on the age-old topic by predicting a new class of superior imaging methods. For the resolution of two sub-Rayleigh sources, the new methods have been shown theoretically and experimentally to outperform direct imaging and approach the true quantum limits. Recent efforts to generalise the theory for an arbitrary number of sources suggest that, despite the existence of harsh quantum limits, the quantum-inspired methods can still offer significant improvements over direct imaging for subdiffraction objects, potentially benefiting many applications in astronomy as well as fluorescence microscopy.     

Sub-Rayleigh imaging via undersampling scanning based on sparsity constraints

We demonstrate that, by undersampling scanning object with a reconstruction algorithm related to compressed sensing, an image with the resolution exceeding the finest resolution defined by the numerical aperture of the system can be obtained. Experimental results show that the measurements needed to achieve sub-Rayleigh resolution enhancement can be less than 10% of the pixels of the object. This method offers a general approach applicable to point-by-point illumination super-resolution techniques.     

基于压缩感知超分辨鬼成像

分辨率是成像系统的一个重要参数, 获得高分辨率图像一直是鬼成像系统的一个目标. 本文提出了以成像系统点扩散函数作为先验知识, 基于稀疏测量的超分辨压缩感知鬼成像重建模型. 搭建了一套计算鬼成像实验装置, 用于验证该模型对于提高鬼成像系统分辨率的有效性, 并与传统的鬼成像计算模型进行了对比. 实验表明, 利用该模型可突破成像系统衍射极限分辨率的限制, 得到超分辨鬼成像. 关键词： 鬼成像 压缩感知 超分辨 稀疏测量     

Quantum limits on optical resolution

We discuss the ultimate limit imposed by quantum fluctuations of light for resolution of fine details in optical images. For this purpose, we extend in the quantum domain the classical analysis of the object reconstruction, or superresolution, in terms of prolate spheroidal function basis. We derive the expression for ultimate resolution limit in the reconstructed object using an illumination of the full object plane by a multimode squeezed vacuum. We show that the gain in resolution using multimode squeezed light is maximum when the Shannon number of the imaging system is close to unity.     

Subdiffraction resolution in total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy with a grating substrate

We propose a fluorescence surface imaging system that presents a power of resolution beyond that of the diffraction limit without resorting to saturation effects or probe scanning. This is achieved by depositing the sample on an optimized periodically nanostructured substrate in a standard total internal reflection fluorescence microscope. The grating generates a high-spatial-frequency light grid that can be moved throughout the sample by changing the incident angle. An appropriate reconstruction procedure permits one to recover the fluorescence amplitude from the images obtained for various incidences. Simulations of this imaging system show that the resolution is not limited by diffraction but by the period of the grating.     

用于地基望远镜的高分辨率倾斜镜设计

根据多镜面地基望远镜在近红外实现共相衍射极限成像的需求,提出了一种基于压电堆栈致动器的高分辨率倾斜镜设计方案。该方案以哑铃型柔性铰链和菱形位移缩小结构(RADS)作为倾斜镜的运动传递元件,压电堆栈致动器(PSA)作为动力元件,并使用电涡流传感器作为角度测量部件。介绍了高分辨倾斜镜的工作原理,并对哑铃型柔性铰链和菱形位移缩小结构进行设计。柔性铰链和位移缩小结构的关键结构参数均采用理论计算、实验和仿真进行优化。建立倾斜镜模型,利用理论计算和有限元仿真软件分别计算倾斜镜的倾斜角度和分辨率。实验结果表明:设计的倾斜镜角度分辨率达到0.017″,最大倾斜角度为14.6″,谐振频率为136.97 Hz,与有限元仿真结果相吻合,满足地基望远镜系统衍射极限成像的要求。     

预放大数字全息系统的成像分辨率分析

基于菲涅耳衍射理论,详细推导了预放大数字全息系统的点扩散函数表达式,并由此分析了该成像系统的分辨率.通过分别对整个系统、显微物镜以及CCD的点扩散函数幅值的计算机模拟,讨论了显微物镜与CCD分辨率之间的匹配问题.指明了现有文献中一些含糊说法.结果表明:恰当选择记录参量,使MO的成像分辨率接近于其极限分辨率,同时还要使CCD在满足抽样条件与再现像分离条件的情况下,再现像分辨率等于或略高于MO的分辨率.     

折/反混合式长波红外成像光谱仪光学系统设计

为了实现遥感目标的长波红外高光谱成像,满足目标探测对多信息量的需求,设计了高光谱分辨率长波红外(8~12 μm)成像光谱仪。前置望远系统采用离轴三反系统,以实现无遮拦、大口径及宽视场成像设计;光谱分光系统分别采用折射式和反射式结构进行优化设计。设计结果显示,采用折射式结构,可得到通光孔径为100 mm,F数为2,光谱分辨率16 nm,空间分辨率150 μrad,冷光阑效率100%,成像质量接近衍射极限的光学系统;采用反射式结构,为了保证光学系统无挡光,需采用多片离轴反射镜,增加了系统的非对称性,使得系统的像散、彗差和场曲难以校正到最佳状态。设计结果表明：折/反混合式成像光谱系统具有光谱分辨率高、成像质量好和结构合理等优点,点斑均方根直径与国内现有探测器像素尺寸匹配。     

硬X光光电成像系统面密度分辨能力

 针对基于将X光转换成可见光接收的硬X光光电成像系统,研究了系统面密度分辨能力的理论模型,获得了系统面密度分辨能力的上下限的表达式;建立了对硬X光成像系统对面密度分辨能力的测量方法。利用自制面密度分辨率板,实验测量了由射频X光机、转换屏、光纤锥耦合和CCD相机组成的硬X光光电成像系统在不同照射量下的面密度极限分辨能力的上下限值。实验结果与理论分析模型分析趋势一致,在未饱和条件下面密度分辨力上限随着照射量的增加而不断增加,而面密度分辨力下限随着照射量的增加将减小。     

Synthetic aperture microscopy using off-axis illumination and polarization coding

A new method to improve the resolution of optical imaging systems beyond the classical Rayleigh resolution limit is presented. The technique relies on synthetic aperture generation in three stages. The first one (encoding stage) uses an illumination procedure that combines both on-axis and off-axis illumination beams with different polarization states onto the object. After the imaging system, a second stage (decoding stage) allows the recovering of the encoded spatial-frequency object information by means of an interferometric configuration based on the polarization coding carried out in the previous stage. Finally, a third stage (digital post-processing stage) is used to generate a synthetic aperture that is three times larger than the conventional aperture of the imaging system. The whole process allows us to obtain a superresolved image of the object. Experimental implementation of the approach for a commercial microscope objective is presented.     

采用负折射率材料提高空间望远镜分辨率的理论研究

传统的空间望远镜是根据分辨率衍射极限公式,通过增大系统的通光口径来提高分辨率的,但这样系统的体积和重量相应增大,增加了空间运载的难度。负折射率材料(Negative Index Materials,NIMs)的出现,为高分辨率空间望远镜的发展提供了新的思路。NIMs对含有物体精细结构信息但在真空中随距离指数衰减传播的渐失场有增益放大作用,从而使渐失场能够参与成像,实现光学系统传统分辨率衍射极限的突破。本文介绍了NIMs的研究历史,分析了由负折射产生的负群速度、逆Doppler频移、反常Cerenkov辐射、负折射等各种效应,重点讨论了采用NIMs实现望远系统传统分辨率突破的内涵和意义以及今后研究工作的重点。     

Why is super-resolution so inefficient?

Many optical imaging systems have been designed to achieve spatial resolution exceeding the limit proposed by Abbe theory, namely lambda/2NA. These systems invariably use light inefficiently. We discuss the application of information theory to this problem, in an effort to find an upper limit to the theoretical efficiency of a super-resolving system, as a function of the degree to which its capabilities exceed the Abbe limit.     

Improvement of optical resolution in far-field imaging by optical multiplication

Based on the idea of the complex filters suggested by Toraldo di Francia in 1952, super-resolved imaging has been achieved by using interferometric image multiplication. The question of whether super-resolution implies a limited field of view is discussed, and an analytical criterion to decide this question is obtained. Three different imaging configurations are investigated, all of which gave a spatial resolution exceeding that corresponding to the full open aperture of the optical system. A resolution limit 55% of the Rayleigh limit was achieved for incoherently illuminated objects. One price that must be paid for the super-resolution is inefficient use of the light source. A second price is a limitation to the usable field of view.     

MAP-regularized robust reconstruction for underwater imaging detection

In order to enhance the visual quality of underwater images, applications such as enhancement and restoration can be applied, but the resolution is still limited. Super-resolution reconstruction is a widely used technique for improving resolution beyond the limit of imaging system. With knowledge of the point spread function and techniques of regularization, the performance of reconstruction can be further enhanced. The presented effort proposed a robust image super-resolution reconstruction method under maximum a posteriori framework with regularization by the point spread function for underwater imaging detection. Objective image quality metrics are used to quantify the effectiveness of the reconstruction. Experimental results showed that the proposed method can effectively improve the resolution and quality of underwater imaging detection.     

高衍射效率衍射望远镜系统的设计/加工及成像性能测试

为提高衍射效率,设计并制作了口径为300mm的衍射成像系统.该系统的物镜是由一块四台阶位相型菲涅尔波带片通过激光直写套刻和Ar离子束物理刻蚀技术在石英玻璃基板上加工而成.测试了衍射物镜的衍射效率,实验结果表明:衍射物镜在波长632.8nm处的衍射效率为66.4%,达到理论值的82%.搭建了衍射成像系统光路,分别采用10μm星点孔与分辨率板,测试了系统的成像性能.实验测得星点像直径为44μm,分辨率板的极限分辨率达到84lp/mm,接近该系统的理论计算值,表明该衍射成像系统具有较好的成像性能.     

Experimental study on the imaging of the squeezed state light at 1064 nm

Stable, low noise, infrared squeezed state tight at 1064 nm is generated by utilizing optical parametric down-conversion (OPDC) technique based on periodically poled KTiOPO₄ in a optical parametric amplifier (OPA) resonator. A non-classical noise reduction of 2.58 dB below the shot noise is observed through balanced homodyne detection. The squeezed state light is used to set up an imaging system for high-resolution imaging, and it is found that the resolution of image based on the amplitude-squeezed light is 1.26 times larger than that of infrared coherent light under the same intensity. The experimental results indicate that squeezed light is an important non-classical light, which can overcome the coherent laser shot-noise, the classical diffraction limit and limit of quantum noise.     

Overcoming the diffraction limit using multiple light scattering in a highly disordered medium

We report that disordered media made of randomly distributed nanoparticles can be used to overcome the diffraction limit of a conventional imaging system. By developing a method to extract the original image information from the multiple scattering induced by the turbid media, we dramatically increase a numerical aperture of the imaging system. As a result, the resolution is enhanced by more than 5 times over the diffraction limit, and the field of view is extended over the physical area of the camera. Our technique lays the foundation to use a turbid medium as a far-field superlens.