Methods and systems for super-resolution optical imaging using high-index of refraction microspheres and microcylinders
a microsphere and high-index technology, applied in the field of optical imaging methods and systems, can solve the problems of diffraction limitation, inability to capture evanescent fields of conventional optical imaging systems, such as lenses, and exponential decay of conventional far field optical imaging systems, and achieve the effect of high index of refraction microspheres
Active Publication Date: 2017-06-15
JUNIVERSITI OF NORT KAROLINA EHT SHARLOTT
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Benefits of technology
The present invention provides improved methods and systems for optical imaging of nanosecale objects using high-index of refraction microspheres and microcylinders. These microspheres and microcylinders have a higher index of refraction than the surrounding material, making them ideal for use in cases where the microspheres are embedded in a material with a lower index of refraction. This allows for super-resolution optical imaging in nanoplasmonics, nanophotonics, biomedical microscopy, microfluidics, and other fields. The methods and systems can be used with microspheres and microcylinders of various diameters and materials, and can be applied to a wide range of samples. The technical effects include improved resolution, reduced blurring, and the ability to image nanosecale objects in real-space using microspheres and microcylinders.
Problems solved by technology
It is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art that the resolution of a far field optical imaging system is limited by the diffraction limit.
However, conventional optical imaging systems, such as lenses, cannot capture these evanescent fields, which decay exponentially in the vicinity of the surface of the object.
This is the main reason why conventional far field optical imaging systems have diffraction-limited optical resolutions.
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[0014]The processes for the collection of near field spatial harmonics and their conversion into propagating fields are typically realized in structures with sophisticated engineering designs. Previously, super-resolution optical imaging has been realized using near field probes, solid immersion lenses (SILs), novel metamaterials, plasmon gratings, and various modified fluorescence-based techniques, such as stimulated emission depletion (STED). These methods and devices, however, have various drawbacks in super-resolution optical imaging applications. Near field probes have low transmissions, they can be easily damaged by contact with a surface, and they require sophisticated and precise positional control. Solid immersion lenses use an immersion lens made from a high-index of refraction material. There are two cuts made in a solid sphere that yield aberration free imaging. If one cuts through the middle of the sphere, the resulting hemispherical lens enhances the numerical aperture...
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The present invention provides super-resolution optical imaging methods and systems, including: providing a sample to be optically imaged; providing a plurality of microstructures disposed substantially adjacent to a surface of the sample to be optically imaged; and providing a material disposed about the plurality of microstructures; wherein the plurality of microstructures have a first index of refraction; and wherein the material disposed about the plurality of microstructures has a second index of refraction that is substantially less than the first index of refraction of the plurality of microstructures. The plurality of microstructures include one of a plurality of microspheres and a plurality of microcylinders.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]The present patent application / patent is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 909,385, filed on Jun. 4, 2013, and entitled “METHODS OF SUPER-RESOLUTION IMAGING BY HIGH-INDEX MICROSPHERES AND / OR MICROCYLINDERS,” which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 656,710, filed on Jun. 7, 2012, and entitled “METHODS OF SUPER-RESOLUTION IMAGING BY HIGH-INDEX MICROSPHERES,” the contents of both of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT[0002]The present invention was made with Government support pursuant to award numbers ARO W911NF-09-1-0450 and NSF ECCS-0824067 by the Army Research Office (ARO) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), respectively. Accordingly, the Government has certain rights in the present invention.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates generally to optical imaging methods and system...
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IPC IPC(8): G02B21/00
CPCG02B21/00G02B1/002G02B27/58G02B21/365
Inventor ASTRATOV, VASILY N.DARAFSHEH, ARASH
Owner JUNIVERSITI OF NORT KAROLINA EHT SHARLOTT