Methods and systems for super-resolution optical imaging using high-index of refraction microspheres and microcylinders

1. A super-resolution optical imaging method, comprising:

providing a sample to be optically imaged;

providing a plurality of microstructures disposed adjacent to a surface of the sample to be optically imaged; and

providing a liquid, semi-solid, or solid material disposed about and fully encompassing the plurality of microstructures;

wherein the plurality of microstructures have a first index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is greater than 1.8; and

wherein the material disposed about and fully encompassing the plurality of microstructures has a second index of refraction that is less than the first index of refraction of the plurality of microstructures.

2. The super-resolution optical imaging method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microstructures comprise one of a plurality of microspheres and a plurality of micro cylinders.

3. The super-resolution optical imaging method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microstructures are disposed adjacent to the surface of the sample to be optically imaged and subsequently the material is disposed about the plurality of microstructures.

4. The super-resolution optical imaging method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microstructures are disposed adjacent to the surface of the sample to be optically imaged after the material is disposed about the plurality of microstructures.

5. The super-resolution optical imaging method of claim 1 , wherein the second index of refraction is less than about 1.8.

6. The super-resolution optical imaging method of claim 1 , further comprising optically imaging the sample through the plurality of microstructures and the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures using an objective of a microscope.

7. The super-resolution optical imaging method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microstructures and the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures are disposed in a near field region of the sample to be optically imaged.

8. The super-resolution optical imaging method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microstructures have diameters between a wavelength of light utilized to several thousand wavelengths of the light utilized.

9. The super-resolution optical imaging method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microstructures are made of one or more of a glass material, a crystalline material, barium titanate, chalcogenide, titania, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, and silicon.

10. The super-resolution optical imaging method of claim 1 , wherein the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures comprises one or more of a liquid, a solid, a semisolid, water, isopropanol, an alcohol, cyclohexane, toluene, PDMS, a gel, a polymer, and an epoxy.

11. The super-resolution optical imaging method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of microstructures and the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures form a transferrable component that is selectively disposed substantially adjacent to the surface of the sample to be optically imaged.

12. A super-resolution optical imaging system, comprising:

a plurality of microstructures disposed adjacent to a surface of a sample to be optically imaged; and

a liquid, semi-solid, or solid material disposed about and fully encompassing the plurality of microstructures;

wherein the plurality of microstructures have a first index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is greater than 1.8; and

wherein the material disposed about and fully encompassing the plurality of microstructures has a second index of refraction that is less than the first index of refraction of the plurality of microstructures.

13. The super-resolution optical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of microstructures comprise one of a plurality of microspheres and a plurality of micro cylinders.

14. The super-resolution optical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of microstructures are disposed adjacent to the surface of the sample to be optically imaged and subsequently the material is disposed about the plurality of microstructures.

15. The super-resolution optical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of microstructures are disposed adjacent to the surface of the sample to be optically imaged after the material is disposed about the plurality of microstructures.

16. The super-resolution optical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the second index of refraction is less than about 1.8.

17. The super-resolution optical imaging system of claim 12 , further comprising an objective of a microscope for optically imaging the sample through the plurality of microstructures and the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures.

18. The super-resolution optical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of microstructures and the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures are disposed in a near field region of the sample to be optically imaged.

19. The super-resolution optical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of microstructures have diameters between a wavelength of light utilized to several thousand wavelengths of the light utilized.

20. The super-resolution optical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of microstructures are made of one or more of a glass material, a crystalline material, barium titanate, chalcogenide, titania, zirconium oxide, zinc oxide, and silicon.

21. The super-resolution optical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures comprises one or more of a liquid, a solid, a semisolid, water, isopropanol, an alcohol, cyclohexane, toluene, PDMS, a gel, a polymer, and an epoxy.

22. The super-resolution optical imaging system of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of microstructures and the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures form a transferrable component that is selectively disposed adjacent to the surface of the sample to be optically imaged.

23. A super-resolution optical imaging method, comprising:

providing a sample to be optically imaged;

providing a microstructure disposed adjacent to a surface of the sample to be optically imaged; and

providing a liquid, semi-solid, or solid material disposed about and fully encompassing the microstructure;

wherein the microstructure has a first index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is greater than 1.8; and

wherein the material disposed about and fully encompassing the microstructure has a second index of refraction that is less than the first index of refraction of the microstructure.

24. A super-resolution optical imaging device, comprising:

a plurality of microstructures; and

a liquid, semi-solid, or solid material disposed about and fully encompassing the plurality of microstructures;

wherein the plurality of microstructures have a first index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is greater than 1.8;

wherein the material disposed about and full encompassing the plurality of microstructures has a second index of refraction that is less than the first index of refraction of the plurality of microstructures; and

wherein the plurality of microstructures and the material disposed about and fully encompassing the plurality of microstructures collectively form a transferrable component that is configured to be disposed adjacent to a surface of a sample to be optically imaged.