Towards Robust Far-field Super-resolution Optical Imaging with Superoscillations

Towards Robust Far-field Super-resolution Optical Imaging with Superoscillations
Author: Xiao Han Dong
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN:

Superoscillation is the phenomenon where a wave locally oscillates faster than its largest frequency component. While previous proof of concept experiments demonstrated super-resolution imaging by using superoscillation to generate a waveform with a main beam narrower than the diffraction limit, such a superoscillation waveform is worse than conventional methods when imaging complex objects. In this work, a new kind of superoscillation, where the main beam is around the same width as the diffraction limit, but the side lobes are significantly lower, are studied. Super-resolved images of complex objects are obtained using this new superoscillation waveform.

Super-Resolution Imaging by Metamaterial-Assisted Illumination

Super-Resolution Imaging by Metamaterial-Assisted Illumination
Author: Qian Ma
Publisher:
Total Pages: 105
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN:

This thesis presents theoretical and experimental demonstrations of using hyperbolic metamaterial illumination to go beyond the diffraction limit of optical microscopy. This technique, named as metamaterial assisted illumination nanoscope (MAIN), combines near-field patterned illumination generated by hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM) and far-field detection of an optical microscope to achieve super-resolution. A few designs of hyperbolic metamaterial to projects series of sub-wavelength patterned illumination, as well as a few optical detection configurations, are studied. An ideal HMM that is homogenous and highly-dispersive is studied by simulation. By implementing well-designed nanostructures, the HMM is capable to project a series of near-field wavelength-dependent patterns with ultrahigh resolution. Those patterns are then utilized to imaging an object by a compressive sensing single pixel imager configuration in which 12 nm resolution is numerically demonstrated. A practical HMM, consisting of composite Ag-SiO2 multilayers, is studied in experiment. The dispersion property and resolution-limit of such a multilayer HMM are experimentally measured. The HMM shapes the beam into a thin line which can be scanned laterally by tuning wavelength. Proof-of-concept experiment demonstrates the super-resolution capability of MAIN and 80 nm resolution along one dimension of a 2D image is presented. By replacing the line-illumination to speckle-illumination at near field of the HMM, Speckle-MAIN can achieve 2D super-resolution. Speckle-MAIN prototypes a super-resolution microscope down to 50 nm with a metamaterial substrate and a low-cost, easy-implemented optical system.

Optical Superresolution

Optical Superresolution
Author: David Mendlovic
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 261
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0387347151

The authors explore the ways to improve the classical resolution limits of an imaging system, and provide novel approaches for achieving better results than would otherwise be possible with current imaging technology. The book begins by presenting the theoretical foundations, background information, and terminology of super resolution, and then discusses methods and systems used to achieve the super resolution effect. Various approaches to dealing with and exceeding the limitations of the lens aperture, the pixel size of the camera, and the noise generated at the detector are presented and analyzed. The last chapter illustrates several industry-related examples and potential applications to real industrial electro-optical systems. This book is intended for graduate students or researchers in academia or industry, and anyone else looking to improve the performance of their electro-optical system design.

Enhancing the Resolution of Imaging Systems by Spatial Spectrum Manipulation

Enhancing the Resolution of Imaging Systems by Spatial Spectrum Manipulation
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2019
Genre:
ISBN:

Abstract : Much research effort has been spent in the 21st century on superresolution imaging techniques, methods which can beat the diffraction limit. Subwavelength composite structures called ``metamaterials" had initially shown great promise in superresolution imaging applications in the early 2000s, owing to their potential for nearly arbitrary capabilities in controlling light. However, for optical frequencies they are often plagued by absorption and scattering losses which can decay or destroy their interesting properties. Similar issues limit the application of other superresolution devices operating as effective media, or metal films that can transfer waves with large momentum by supporting surface plasmon polaritons. In this dissertation, new methods of mitigating the loss of object information in lossy and noisy optical imaging systems are presented. The result is an improvement in the upper bound on lateral spatial resolution. A concentration is placed on metamaterial and plasmonic imaging systems, and the same methods are subsequently adapted to more conventional far-field imaging systems. First, through numerical simulation it is shown that a lossy metamaterial lens has degraded imaging performance which can be partially compensated by deconvolution post-processing of the resultant image. This post-processing procedure is then shown to emulate a physical process called plasmon injection, which has been previously implemented to effectively remove the losses in a plasmonic metamaterial. Next, a more realistic scenario is considered; a thin film of silver acting as a near-field plasmonic ``superlens." In this case, methods are implemented to model incoherent light propagation so that the image can be reconstructed using only intensity data, removing the need for phase measurement. The same procedure from above is followed, and the resolution is enhanced. To push the resolution further, a spatial filtering method called active convolved illumination is developed to overcome the resolution limit set by the noise floor of the system. Finally, the spatial filtering methods are applied to more a more conventional far-field imaging system. Supported by experiment, the lateral resolution of a low numerical aperture imaging system is improved by blocking photons at the Fourier plane. For coherent light, a diffractive superlens is designed which uses the same principles from the above theory, except it encodes the high spatial frequency waves into propagating waves via a diffraction grating. The result is lateral resolution performance that surpasses similar previously published devices by 10 nm at a wavelength more than 80 nm longer.

Far-field Superlens for Optical Imaging Beyond Diffraction Limit and Other Nano-plasmonic Devices

Far-field Superlens for Optical Imaging Beyond Diffraction Limit and Other Nano-plasmonic Devices
Author: Zhaowei Liu
Publisher:
Total Pages: 378
Release: 2006
Genre:
ISBN: 9781109828795

Several of other nano-plasmonic devices have also been investigated. SP interference was applied to nanolithography. Utilizing exactly the same conditions as conventional photolithography (i-line), high resolution lithography results (∼60nm feature) with various patterns have been demonstrated by both numerical simulation and experiments. A plasmonic lens which comprises circular slit/slits in a metallic film has also been extensively studied. The detailed lens concept, lens properties and performance, and potential applications were presented.

Advanced Materials for Integrated Optical Waveguides

Advanced Materials for Integrated Optical Waveguides
Author: Xingcun Colin Tong Ph.D
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 574
Release: 2013-10-17
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3319015508

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to integrated optical waveguides for information technology and data communications. Integrated coverage ranges from advanced materials, fabrication, and characterization techniques to guidelines for design and simulation. A concluding chapter offers perspectives on likely future trends and challenges. The dramatic scaling down of feature sizes has driven exponential improvements in semiconductor productivity and performance in the past several decades. However, with the potential of gigascale integration, size reduction is approaching a physical limitation due to the negative impact on resistance and inductance of metal interconnects with current copper-trace based technology. Integrated optics provides a potentially lower-cost, higher performance alternative to electronics in optical communication systems. Optical interconnects, in which light can be generated, guided, modulated, amplified, and detected, can provide greater bandwidth, lower power consumption, decreased interconnect delays, resistance to electromagnetic interference, and reduced crosstalk when integrated into standard electronic circuits. Integrated waveguide optics represents a truly multidisciplinary field of science and engineering, with continued growth requiring new developments in modeling, further advances in materials science, and innovations in integration platforms. In addition, the processing and fabrication of these new devices must be optimized in conjunction with the development of accurate and precise characterization and testing methods. Students and professionals in materials science and engineering will find Advanced Materials for Integrated Optical Waveguides to be an invaluable reference for meeting these research and development goals.

Optical Measurements for Scientists and Engineers

Optical Measurements for Scientists and Engineers
Author: Arthur McClelland
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2018-04-19
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1107173019

An accessible, introductory text explaining how to select, set up and use optical spectroscopy and optical microscopy techniques.

Scanning Probe Microscopy: Characterization, Nanofabrication and Device Application of Functional Materials

Scanning Probe Microscopy: Characterization, Nanofabrication and Device Application of Functional Materials
Author: Paula M. Vilarinho
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 503
Release: 2006-06-15
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1402030193

As the characteristic dimensions of electronic devices continue to shrink, the ability to characterize their electronic properties at the nanometer scale has come to be of outstanding importance. In this sense, Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) is becoming an indispensable tool, playing a key role in nanoscience and nanotechnology. SPM is opening new opportunities to measure semiconductor electronic properties with unprecedented spatial resolution. SPM is being successfully applied for nanoscale characterization of ferroelectric thin films. In the area of functional molecular materials it is being used as a probe to contact molecular structures in order to characterize their electrical properties, as a manipulator to assemble nanoparticles and nanotubes into simple devices, and as a tool to pattern molecular nanostructures. This book provides in-depth information on new and emerging applications of SPM to the field of materials science, namely in the areas of characterisation, device application and nanofabrication of functional materials. Starting with the general properties of functional materials the authors present an updated overview of the fundamentals of Scanning Probe Techniques and the application of SPM techniques to the characterization of specified functional materials such as piezoelectric and ferroelectric and to the fabrication of some nano electronic devices. Its uniqueness is in the combination of the fundamental nanoscale research with the progress in fabrication of realistic nanodevices. By bringing together the contribution of leading researchers from the materials science and SPM communities, relevant information is conveyed that allows researchers to learn more about the actual developments in SPM applied to functional materials. This book will contribute to the continuous education and development in the field of nanotechnology.

Label-Free Super-Resolution Microscopy

Label-Free Super-Resolution Microscopy
Author: Vasily Astratov
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 487
Release: 2019-08-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030217221

This book presents the advances in super-resolution microscopy in physics and biomedical optics for nanoscale imaging. In the last decade, super-resolved fluorescence imaging has opened new horizons in improving the resolution of optical microscopes far beyond the classical diffraction limit, leading to the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2014. This book represents the first comprehensive review of a different type of super-resolved microscopy, which does not rely on using fluorescent markers. Such label-free super-resolution microscopy enables potentially even broader applications in life sciences and nanoscale imaging, but is much more challenging and it is based on different physical concepts and approaches. A unique feature of this book is that it combines insights into mechanisms of label-free super-resolution with a vast range of applications from fast imaging of living cells to inorganic nanostructures. This book can be used by researchers in biological and medical physics. Due to its logically organizational structure, it can be also used as a teaching tool in graduate and upper-division undergraduate-level courses devoted to super-resolved microscopy, nanoscale imaging, microscopy instrumentation, and biomedical imaging.