Scalable universal tunable virtual-wavevector spatial frequency shift (TVSFS) super-resolution imaging

TL;DR

This paper presents a universal, chip-based super-resolution imaging method called TVSFS that enhances resolution over three times for both fluorescent and non-fluorescent samples, with large FOV and CMOS compatibility.

Contribution

Introduction of a scalable, universal super-resolution imaging technique using tunable virtual-wavevector spatial frequency shift (TVSFS) on a photonic chip.

Findings

Achieved resolution of λ/4.7 for label-free samples.

Achieved resolution of λ/7.1 for labeled samples.

Demonstrated large FOV and CMOS-compatible fabrication.

Abstract

Developing a chip-based super-resolution imaging technique with large field-of-view (FOV), deep subwavelength resolution, and compatibility for both fluorescent and non-fluorescent samples is desired for material science, biomedicine, and life researches, etc. Previous on-chip super-resolution methods focus on either fluorescent or non-fluorescent imaging, putting an urgent requirement on the general imaging technique compatible with both of them. Here, we introduce a universal super-resolution imaging method based on tunable virtual-wavevector spatial frequency shift (TVSFS), realizing both labeled and label-free super-resolution imaging on a single delicately fabricated scalable photonic chip. Theoretically, with TVSFS, the diffraction limit of a linear optical system can be overcome, and the resolution can be improved more than three times, which is the limitation for most super-resolution imaging based on spatial frequency engineering. Diffractive units were fabricated on the chip's surface to provide a wavevector-variable evanescent wave illumination and induce tunable deep SFS in the samples' Fourier space. A resolution of {\lambda}/4.7 for the label-free sample and {\lambda}/7.1 for the labeled sample with a large FOV could be achieved with a CMOS-compatible process on a GaP chip. The large FOV, high-compatibility, and high-integration TVSFS chip may advance the fields like cell engineering, precision inspection in the industry, chemical research, etc.