IP Library Granted Patent US 8,433,158
Granted Patent B2
US 8,433,158 · App. 12/253,461 · Granted Apr 30, 2013

Optical superresolution using multiple images

Inventor: Rajesh Menon (Cambridge, MA)
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,433,158
App. No.
12/253,461
Granted
Apr 30, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imaging system is provided. The imaging system includes a point spread function (PSF) module producing a diffraction-limited image of a sample. A convolution module performs convolution of the diffraction-limited image with a first image of a focal spot having a first wavelength to produce a first simulated image. The convolution also performs convolution of the diffraction-limited image with a second image of a focal ring having a second wavelength to produce a second simulated image. A difference module subtracts said first simulated image and said second simulated image to produce said high resolution composite image.

Claims (27)

1. A method of producing a high resolution composite image using an imaging system, comprising:

producing at least one first diffraction-limited image of a sample using at least one first point-spread function;

producing at least one second diffraction-limited image of said sample using at least one second point-spread function; and

subtracting said at least one first diffraction-limited image and said at least one second diffraction-limited image to produce said high resolution composite image having a third point-spread function, said subtraction produces a first lobe and a plurality of sidelobes of said third point-spread function, said sidelobes comprise a plurality of artifacts, said at least one first point-spread function comprises at least one focal spot and said at least one second point-spread function comprises at least one focal ring where the at least one second point-spread function is independently created from the at least one first point-spread function.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one first diffraction-limited image and said at least one second diffraction-limited image comprise sub-wavelength dense features.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said high resolution composite image resolve features below a diffraction limit.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one focal spot and at least one focal ring are concentric in space.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one focal spot and at least one focal ring each are formed using a dichromat lens.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one focal spot and at least one focal ring each are formed using an array of dichromat lens.

7. An imaging system comprising:

a first point spread function (PSF) module producing at least one first diffraction-limited image of a sample using at least one first point-spread function;

a second point spread (PSF) module producing at least one second diffraction-limited image of said sample using at least one second point-spread function; and

a difference module subtracting said at least one first diffraction-limited image and said at least one second diffraction-limited image to produce a high resolution composite image having a third point-spread function, said subtraction produces a first lobe and a plurality of sidelobes of said third point-spread function, said sidelobes comprise a plurality of artifacts, said at least one first point-spread function comprises at least one focal spot and said at least one second point-spread function comprises at least one focal ring where the at least one second point-spread function is independently created from the at least one first point-spread function.

8. The imaging system of claim 7 , wherein said at least one first diffraction-limited image and said at least one second diffraction-limited image comprise sub-wavelength dense features.

9. The imaging system of claim 7 , wherein said high resolution composite image resolve features below a diffraction limit.

10. The imaging system of claim 7 , wherein said at least one focal spot and at least one focal ring are concentric in space.

11. The imaging system of claim 7 , wherein said at least one focal spot and at least one focal ring each are formed using a dichromat lens.

12. The imaging system of claim 7 , wherein said at least one focal spot and at least one focal ring each are formed using an array of dichromat lens.

13. The method of forming an imaging system comprising:

providing a first point spread function (PSF) module producing at least one first diffraction-limited image of a sample using at least one first point-spread function;

providing a second point spread (PSF) module producing at least one second diffraction-limited image of said sample using at least one second point-spread function; and

providing a difference module subtracting said at least one first diffraction-limited image and said at least one second diffraction-limited image to produce said high resolution composite image having a third point-spread function, said subtraction produces a first lobe and a plurality of sidelobes of said third point-spread function, said sidelobes comprise a plurality of artifacts, said at least one first point-spread function comprises at least one focal spot and said at least one second point-spread function comprises at least one focal ring where the at least one second point-spread function is independently created from the at least one first point-spread function.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said at least one first diffraction-limited image and said at least one second diffraction-limited image comprise sub-wavelength dense features.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein said high resolution composite image resolve features below a diffraction limit.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein said at least one focal spot and at least one focal ring are concentric in space.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein said at least one focal spot and at least one focal ring each are formed using a dichromat lens.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein said at least one focal spot and at least one focal ring each are formed using an array of dichromat lens.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 25, 2008
From: MENON, RAJESH
To: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Reel/Frame 021888/0544 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100097702A1 · Apr 22, 2010