Sparsity-based single-shot sub-wavelength coherent diffractive imaging

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a real-time, sparsity-based phase retrieval method for sub-wavelength optical imaging, achieving 30 nm resolution from far-field intensity data without scanning.

Contribution

It introduces a novel sparsity-driven algorithm for single-shot sub-wavelength imaging that is fast, scanning-free, and compatible with existing microscopes.

Findings

Achieved 30 nm resolution with 532 nm wavelength illumination.

Reconstructed both random and ordered 100 nm features.

Method works in real-time without scanning or additional hardware.

Abstract

We present the experimental reconstruction of sub-wavelength features from the far-field intensity of sparse optical objects: sparsity-based sub-wavelength imaging combined with phase-retrieval. As examples, we demonstrate the recovery of random and ordered arrangements of 100 nm features with the resolution of 30 nm, with an illuminating wavelength of 532 nm. Our algorithmic technique relies on minimizing the number of degrees of freedom; it works in real-time, requires no scanning, and can be implemented in all existing microscopes - optical and non-optical.