High-throughput Super-Resolution Imaging Chip based on Miniaturized Full-frequency Encoded-illumination

TL;DR

This paper introduces a miniaturized, cost-effective super-resolution imaging chip utilizing encoded illumination and the SFS effect, achieving near-theoretical resolution with a large FOV, suitable for widespread scientific and industrial applications.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel mini-FEI chip that combines full-frequency encoded illumination with a compact design, enabling high-resolution imaging without expensive lasers.

Findings

Achieves 333 nm resolution (~λ/4NA) close to the theoretical limit.

Maintains a large 1 mm² field of view.

Successfully reconstructs label-free biological samples.

Abstract

A miniaturized full-frequency encoded illumination (mini-FEI) chip is presented for high-throughput super-resolution imaging using the spatial frequency shift (SFS) effect. A tunable full SFS scheme is achieved through propagating and evanescent wave. The multi-illumination modes are precisely and flexibly modulated by an encoded LED array. The light travels to the sample via a set of prisms, producing the super-resolution images with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Mini-FEI super-resolution imaging reaches a resolution of 333 nm (~{\lambda}/4NA), close to the theoretical limit, while maintaining a large field of view (FOV) of ~1 mm2. The method is validated on label-free samples including USAF Target, Star Target, and onion root tip cells, all of which could be successfully reconstructed. Through the introduction of integrated LED arrays for evanescent wave excitation, expensive laser systems can be avoided and the system significantly miniaturized. The mini-FEI super-resolution imaging chip is simple and cost effective to fabricate and can be used in conjunction with any inverted brightfield microscope frame and thus has great potential for widespread use in scientific and industrial research environments.