Scanning incremental focus microscopy
AssigneeThe Research Foundation of State University of New York
InventorsEric LIFSHIN, Michael STESSIN, Isaak CHAGOUEL
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Abstract
Method and apparatus are provided for generating an enhanced image of an object. The method includes obtaining images of an area of an object generated using a probe of having a probe size greater than or equal to a minimum probe area size. An enhanced image of the area of the object is generated by accurately computing the emission intensities emitted from pixel areas smaller than the minimum probe size and within the area of the object. This is repeated for other areas of the object to form other enhanced images. The enhanced images are combined to form an accurate enhanced image of the object.
Claims24
A method of generating an image, the method comprising:
- obtaining images of an area of an object generated using a probe having a probe size greater than or equal to a minimum probe area size;
- and
- generating from the images an enhanced image, the generating the enhanced image comprising computing an emission intensity emitted from a pixel area of the area of the object, the pixel area being smaller than the minimum probe area size.
An apparatus for generating an enhanced image, the apparatus comprising:
- an input portion for obtaining emission intensities corresponding to intensities of emissions from an area of an object, the emission intensities emitted when the area of the object is scanned using a scanning probe having a probe size greater than or equal to a minimum probe size;
- and
- a processor for generating from the emission intensities, an enhanced image of the area of the object, the generating comprising computing an emission intensity emitted from a pixel area of the object, the pixel area being smaller than the minimum probe size.
An apparatus for imaging an object, the apparatus comprising:
- a probe source generating a probe and scanning the object with the probe configured with at least two different probe sizes, the two different probe sizes each having associated therewith a respective point spread function, and the probe sizes being greater than or equal to a minimum probe size;
- a detector for detecting signals emitted from an area of the object when scanned using the probe configured with the at least two different probe sizes;
- and
- a processor for computing, using the detected signals and the associated point-spread functions, at least one signal emitted from a pixel area of the object, the pixel area of the object being smaller than the minimum probe size.
A computer program product for generating an image of an object, the computer program product comprising:
- a computer readable storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method comprising:
- obtaining images of an area of an object generated using a probe having a probe size greater than or equal to a minimum probe area size;
- and
- generating from the images an enhanced image, the generating the enhanced image comprising computing an emission intensity emitted from a pixel area of the area of the object, the pixel area being smaller than the minimum probe area size.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.