US 2010/0059696 A1 · Method and Apparatus for Improving Image Resolution

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention allow the operation of confocal microscopes with relatively open pinholes (e.g. 1 Airy unit) whilst still giving a significant XY resolution improvement. In addition axial (Z) discrimination or resolution may also be improved. This is achieved by splitting the emitted light path in an interferometric fashion. One of the split beams is then directed inversion which inverts at least one coordinate in image space. The transformed beam and the non-transformed beam are then recombined in an interferometric fashion (i.e. coherently added), which provides an interference effect resulting in increased resolution of the image. Where the embodiments are being used in a confocal application, the resulting combined beam can then be subject to a spatially discriminating means, such as a pinhole, or the like.

Claims62

Dependent claims

An apparatus for improving the resolution and/or sectioning ability of an imaging system, comprising:

at least one wave splitter for splitting an input wave carrying information relating to an object to be imaged;
an interferometer arrangement arranged to receive the split input waves and which includes at least one wave transformer which produces a relative difference between the waves travelling through the interferometer arrangement by applying one or more transformations to one or more of said waves, the interferometer arrangement being further arranged to output at least one output wave, the interferometer arrangement being further arranged such that the energy density of those parts of the output wave which are due to emitters not located at a set of emitter positions from which emitted waves undergo equal or no transformations in different paths of the interferometer is reduced;
and
imaging means arranged to capture the information relating to the object carried in the at least one output wave to produce an image;
wherein the change of the detected emissions from emitters not located at said set of emitter positions improves the resolution and/or sectioning ability of imaging of the object.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and Apparatus for Improving Image Resolution

Life of this patent

Method and Apparatus for Improving Image Resolution

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims62