# Resolution Limit of Label-free Far-field Microscopy

## TL;DR

This paper establishes the fundamental physical limits of resolution in label-free far-field optical microscopy, revealing that the true limit differs from traditional estimates and can be generalized to other imaging modalities.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining wave physics and information theory to determine the fundamental resolution limit, challenging conventional Abbe-based estimates.

## Key findings

- Resolution limit is fundamentally bounded but not equal to Abbe's estimate.
- The approach is general and applicable beyond optical microscopy.
- Provides a new theoretical framework for imaging resolution limits.

## Abstract

We derive the fundamental limit to the resolution of far-field optical imaging, and demonstrate that, while a bound to the resolution of a fundamental nature does exit, contrary to the conventional wisdom it is neither exactly equal to nor necessarily close to Abbe's estimate. Our approach to imaging resolution that combines the tools from the physics of wave phenomena and the methods of information theory, is general, and can be extended beyond optical microscopy, to e.g. geophysical and ultrasound imaging.