Holographic Microscope Super-Resolution via Multi-Angle Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional holographic microscopes are limited by a resolution that cannot exceed half the wavelength of light, and structured illumination microscopy (SIM) methods are complex, expensive, and primarily suited for reflection type microscopes, making them impractical for transmission type applications.
Innovation Solution
A holographic microscope system using off-axis holography with spherical wave reference lights and multi-directional illumination, allowing for the acquisition and reconstruction of high-resolution images by synthesizing light waves with adjusted phases, enabling a numerical aperture greater than 1 and applicable to both transmission and reflection types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional optical microscope or holographic microscope is used, then the structure is simple and easy to operate, but the resolution cannot exceed half the wavelength of light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of numerical aperture by using multiple illumination directions and synthesizing the light waves, thereby improving resolution beyond the conventional half-wavelength limit without adding complex imaging lens systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the illumination into multiple directions and captures holograms from different angles, then synthesizes these segmented measurements to achieve super-resolution, avoiding the need for complex SIM optical systems
2Measurement precision
If structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is used to exceed resolution limit, then the resolution can be improved, but the structure becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal holographic microscope system that can function in both transmission and reflection modes using the same basic optical setup, eliminating the need for separate complex SIM systems for different microscopy types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical and optical systems of SIM with a simpler holographic approach using digital processing and multiple illumination angles, achieving similar resolution improvement without the mechanical complexity
3Measurement precision
If SIM is applied to transmission type microscope, then the resolution can be improved, but it is difficult to apply the moire effect making it not practical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses holography as an intermediary technique that bridges transmission and reflection microscopy, allowing resolution improvement without directly applying the moire effect, thereby making super-resolution practical for transmission type microscopes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the reconstruction of high-resolution images exceeding the conventional optical microscope's resolution limit, facilitating the use of holographic microscopes in both transmission and reflection types without the complexity and expense of SIM systems.
Implementation Method 1
a photo-detector which changes a light intensity into an electric signal and outputs it
Implementation Method 2
an optical system which generates an in-line spherical wave reference light (L), an illumination light (Q), and an off-axis spherical wave reference light (R) with a coherent light emitted by a light source
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention can realize both a transmission type and a reflection type, and provides a holographic microscope which can exceed the resolution of the conventional optical microscope, a hologram data acquisition method for a high-resolution image, and a high-resolution hologram image reconstruction method. In-line spherical wave reference light (L) is recorded in a hologram (ILR) using spherical wave reference light (R), and an object light (Oj) and an illumination light (Qj) are recorded in a hologram (IjOQR) using a spherical wave reference light (R) by illuminating the object with an illumination light (Qj, j=1, . . . , N) which is changed its incident direction. From those holograms, a hologram (JjOQL), from which the component of the reference light (R) is removed, is generated, and from the hologram, a light wave (hj) is generated. A light wave (cj) of the illumination light (Qj) is separated from the light wave (hj), and using its phase component (ξj=cj/|cj|), a phase adjustment reconstruction light wave is derived and added up as (HP=Σhj/ξj), and an object image (SP=|HP|2) is reconstructed.