Super-resolution imaging of azimuthal features with illumination carrying OAM

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that illuminating objects with fields carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) enables super-resolution imaging of azimuthal features, surpassing traditional limits, with experimental validation on specific objects.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach using OAM-carrying illumination to achieve super-resolution of azimuthal features, including experimental validation and identification of optimal OAM modes.

Findings

Enhanced resolution for azimuthal features using OAM illumination

Existence of an optimal OAM mode for best imaging resolution

Successful experimental imaging of azimuthal double-slit and Siemens star

Abstract

Super-resolution imaging refers to imaging techniques that surpass the Rayleigh resolution limit. One standard way to achieve super-resolution is by structuring the phase of the field illuminating the object. Although super-resolution techniques are already employed in commercial imaging devices, intense research efforts continue to enhance the resolution even further. In this work, we show that if the field illuminating the object is structured in the azimuthal coordinate--such as a field carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM)--the azimuthal features of the object can be imaged with enhanced imaging resolution. We experimentally demonstrate it with two objects, namely, an azimuthal double-slit and a Siemens star. We find that for a given azimuthal feature, there is an optimum OAM mode index of the illumination that gives the best imaging resolution. Super-resolution imaging of azimuthal feature can have important implications, especially for some biological objects that are known to have predominantly azimuthal features.