Device for forming a high-resolution image, imaging system, and method for deriving a high-spatial-resolution image

An imaging system comprising:

• a stage for holding an object to be imaged;
• a lens;
• an electronic camera for capturing a plurality of intermediate images of the object;
• an illumination system for forming spatial modulation pattern on the object;
• and
• a spatial demodulator for performing a spatial demodulation, which is at least partially matched to the spatial modulation pattern, wherein the spatial demodulator uses a spatial modulation contrast as a parameter of a calculation in performing the spatial demodulation.

A method for deriving a high-spatial-resolution image from a set of images captured from a structure of an object, comprising:

• illuminating the object, wherein the illumination of the object has a spatial modulation pattern which is substantially periodic, wherein at least one prevailing orientation of the periodic illumination is arranged substantially perpendicularly to at least one prevailing orientation of the structure of the object;
• capturing a plurality of intermediate images of the object, wherein an intermediate image is formed by shifting a location of an image of the spatial modulation pattern on the object;
• correcting a size of an intermediate image of the intermediate images to be substantially equal to an integer number of spatial periods of the spatial modulation pattern;
• applying a filter to the intermediate images of the object;
• and
• applying digital demodulation to the filtered intermediate images.