The optical microscopy with virtual image breaks a record: 50-nm resolution imaging is demonstrated

TL;DR

This paper introduces a microsphere nanoscope that uses ordinary microspheres as superlenses to achieve 50-nm resolution imaging with white light, surpassing the diffraction limit and enabling real-time imaging of nanoscale biological entities.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel microsphere-based superlens technique that achieves unprecedented resolution with standard white light, expanding possibilities for biological and nanomaterial imaging.

Findings

Achieved 50-nm resolution imaging with white light.

Resolved nanoscale objects in both transmission and reflection modes.

Demonstrated potential for real-time imaging of viruses and molecules.

Abstract

We demonstrate a new 'microsphere nanoscope' that uses ordinary SiO2 microspheres as superlenses to create a virtual image of the object in near field. The magnified virtual image greatly overcomes the diffraction limit. We are able to resolve clearly 50-nm objects under a standard white light source in both transmission and reflection modes. The resolution achieved for white light opens a new opportunity to image viruses, DNA and molecules in real time.