Open AccessMulti foci with diffraction limited resolution
Author(s) -
Erik H. Waller,
Georg von Freymann
Publication year - 2013
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.21.021708
Subject(s) - optics , diffraction , point spread function , numerical aperture , resolution (logic) , image resolution , gaussian , ptychography , wavelength , aperture (computer memory) , interference (communication) , pupil function , image quality , optical tweezers , physics , materials science , computer science , image (mathematics) , telecommunications , channel (broadcasting) , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , acoustics
The generation of multi foci is an established method for high-speed parallel direct laser writing, scanning microscopy and for optical tweezer arrays. However, the quality of multi foci reduces with increasing resolution due to interference effects. Here, we report on a spatial-light-modulator-based method that allows for highly uniform, close to Gaussian spots with diffraction limited resolution using a wavelength of 780 nm. We introduce modifications of a standard algorithm that calculates a field distribution on the entrance pupil of a high numerical aperture objective splitting the focal volume into a multitude of spots. Our modified algorithm compares favourably to a commonly used algorithm in full vectorial calculations as well as in point-spread-function measurements. The lateral and axial resolution limits of spots generated by the new algorithm are found to be close to the diffraction limit.