Microsphere and microcylinder-assisted microscopy(MAM)has grown steadily over the last decade and is still an intensively studied optical far-field imaging technique that promises to overcome the fundamental lateral r...Microsphere and microcylinder-assisted microscopy(MAM)has grown steadily over the last decade and is still an intensively studied optical far-field imaging technique that promises to overcome the fundamental lateral resolution limit of microscopy.However,the physical effects leading to resolution enhancement are still frequently debated.In addition,various configurations of MAM operating in transmission mode as well as reflection mode are examined,and the results are sometimes generalized.We present a rigorous simulation model of MAM and introduce a way to quantify the resolution enhancement.The lateral resolution is compared for microscope arrangements in reflection and transmission modes.Furthermore,we discuss different physical effects with respect to their contribution to resolution enhancement.The results indicate that the effects impacting the resolution in MAM strongly depend on the arrangement of the microscope and the measurement object.As a highlight,we outline that evanescent waves in combination with whispering gallery modes also improve the imaging capabilities,enabling super-resolution under certain circumstances.This result is contrary to the conclusions drawn from previous studies,where phase objects have been analyzed,and thus further emphasizes the complexity of the physical mechanisms underlying MAM.展开更多
基金supported by the German Research Foundation(DFG)(Grant Nos.LE 992/14-3 and LE 992/15-3).
文摘Microsphere and microcylinder-assisted microscopy(MAM)has grown steadily over the last decade and is still an intensively studied optical far-field imaging technique that promises to overcome the fundamental lateral resolution limit of microscopy.However,the physical effects leading to resolution enhancement are still frequently debated.In addition,various configurations of MAM operating in transmission mode as well as reflection mode are examined,and the results are sometimes generalized.We present a rigorous simulation model of MAM and introduce a way to quantify the resolution enhancement.The lateral resolution is compared for microscope arrangements in reflection and transmission modes.Furthermore,we discuss different physical effects with respect to their contribution to resolution enhancement.The results indicate that the effects impacting the resolution in MAM strongly depend on the arrangement of the microscope and the measurement object.As a highlight,we outline that evanescent waves in combination with whispering gallery modes also improve the imaging capabilities,enabling super-resolution under certain circumstances.This result is contrary to the conclusions drawn from previous studies,where phase objects have been analyzed,and thus further emphasizes the complexity of the physical mechanisms underlying MAM.
