Open AccessEnhanced resolution of microscopic objects by image inversion interferometry
Author(s) -
Daniel J. Weigel,
Ronny Foerster,
Holger Babovsky,
A. Kießling,
R. Kowarschik
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.19.026451
Subject(s) - optics , interferometry , microscope , point spread function , image resolution , spatial frequency , resolution (logic) , optical transfer function , physics , depth of field , computer science , artificial intelligence
We demonstrate in experiment that the resolution of a conventional light microscope can be enhanced by 26% with the help of an image inverting interferometer. In order to prove this statement, we measured the point spread function of the system as well as the resolution of two-point objects. Additionally, the contrast transmission function of the interferometric setup was measured and compared to the results gained with a conventional wide-field microscope. Using the interferometric system, the spatial frequencies near the cutoff-frequency were far better transmitted than by the conventional microscope. Finally, we demonstrate the improved resolution with the help of images of two-dimensional structures.