Light microscopy: an ongoing contemporary revolution

Weisenburger, S.; Sandoghdar, Vahid

doi:10.1080/00107514.2015.1026557

Cited by 96 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 205 publications

(236 reference statements)

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“…[9] for a review) have enabled us to sidestep Rayleigh's limit. Still, as they require that nearby sources are not emiting at the same time, those technologies do not challenge Rayleigh's criterion fundamentally for independently emitting sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum limit for two-dimensional resolution of two incoherent optical point sources

2017

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We obtain the multiple-parameter quantum Cramér-Rao bound for estimating the transverse Cartesian components of the centroid and separation of two incoherent optical point sources using an imaging system with finite spatial bandwidth. Under quite general and realistic assumptions on the point-spread function of the imaging system, and for weak source strengths, we show that the Cramér-Rao bounds for the x and y components of the separation are independent of the values of those components, which may be well below the conventional Rayleigh resolution limit. We also propose two linear optics-based measurement methods that approach the quantum bound for the estimation of the Cartesian components of the separation once the centroid has been located. One of the methods is an interferometric scheme that approaches the quantum bound for sub-Rayleigh separations. The other method using fiber coupling can in principle attain the bound regardless of the distance between the two sources.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum limit for two-dimensional resolution of two incoherent optical point sources

2017

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“…Apertureless-type SNOM systems, or scattering SNOM (s-SNOM), utilize light from an external source scattered from an apertureless tip which acts as an antenna to produce a source of evanescent light near the nanostructured sample surface as shown in Figure 1c. Apertureless-type operation is advantageous in that it does not suffer from the fundamental size limitations of c-SNOM, and can achieve resolution below 10 nm [1,8,13]. However, apertureless-type SNOM systems are more challenging to implement than their aperture-type counterparts.…”

Section: Types Of Snom Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, if k 2 x + k 2 y > k 2 o = ω 2 /c 2 , then k z must have a non-zero imaginary component. From Equation (1), any imaginary components within the far-field wavevector k will result in an exponentially decaying amplitude. A light wave defined by such exponential decay is termed an evanescent wave, and it experiences an exponential decay in amplitude moving away from its originating location.…”

Section: Types Of Snom Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The generated tip near-field is subsequently scattered off the sample surface, into the far-field to be detected. Early versions of the SNOM technique employed a tapered optical fiber with a metallic tip and a subwavelength opening for this purpose [1,8]. The standard aperture tip possesses a circular opening with a typical diameter ranging from 80 to 250 nm, but can be as small as 10-20 nm using advanced nanofabrication procedures.…”

Section: Types Of Snom Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the late 19th century an apparent fundamental limit on the maximum resolution of an optical image was formulated based on the diffraction theory of light [1]. Although this formulation suggested that optical microscopy was limited to micron-scale objects, the diffraction limit has since been overcome through the development of super resolution techniques operating in the far-field [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Far-field super resolution strategies make use of enhanced contrast using a secondary process such as fluorescence or scattering to image subwavelength nanostructures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Review of Three-Dimensional Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy (3D-SNOM) and Its Applications in Nanoscale Light Management

2017

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Abstract:In this article, we present an overview of aperture and apertureless type scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) techniques that have been developed, with a focus on three-dimensional (3D) SNOM methods. 3D SNOM has been undertaken to image the local distribution (within~100 nm of the surface) of the electromagnetic radiation scattered by random and deterministic arrays of metal nanostructures or photonic crystal waveguides. Individual metal nanoparticles and metal nanoparticle arrays exhibit unique effects under light illumination, including plasmon resonance and waveguiding properties, which can be directly investigated using 3D-SNOM. In the second part of this article, we will review a few applications in which 3D-SNOM has proven to be useful for designing and understanding specific nano-optoelectronic structures. Examples include the analysis of the nano-optical response phonetic crystal waveguides, aperture antennae and metal nanoparticle arrays, as well as the design of plasmonic solar cells incorporating random arrays of copper nanoparticles as an optical absorption enhancement layer, and the use of 3D-SNOM to probe multiple components of the electric and magnetic near-fields without requiring specially designed probe tips. A common denominator of these examples is the added value provided by 3D-SNOM in predicting the properties-performance relationship of nanostructured systems.

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New Stuff in Old Places: Light Microscopy of Polymers

Srinivasarao

2022

Macromolecular Engineering

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Light microscopy, with a history of over 400 years, continues to be useful for the natural sciences. It has played a crucial role in the physical and biological sciences, from providing evidence for the existence of atoms to resolving cells at very high resolution. In this article, we have taken a broad view of light microscopy, in its various forms to provide physical information that helps understand the structure and perhaps, the function of, certain materials, in particular polymers, liquid crystals, and beetle exocuticles, among others. We illustrate the information that can be gleaned by polarized light microscopy studies of semicrystalline polymers and liquid crystals. We also demonstrate that polarized light microscopy is an indispensable tool in studying anisotropic structures. We illustrate how optical sectioning microscopy, namely laser scanning confocal microscopy, is useful in studying diffusion as well as analyzing the structure of jewel beetle exocuticles, and providing the elusive director configuration in three‐dimension for a liquid crystal. Finally, we demonstrate a technique based on total internal reflection to probe the topography of polymeric surfaces. In doing so, we have illustrated the rich history of light microscopy and the elegance of Ernst Abbe's work dealing with the resolution that is attainable by far‐field light microscopy.

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Light microscopy: an ongoing contemporary revolution

Cited by 96 publications

References 205 publications

Quantum limit for two-dimensional resolution of two incoherent optical point sources

Quantum limit for two-dimensional resolution of two incoherent optical point sources

A Review of Three-Dimensional Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy (3D-SNOM) and Its Applications in Nanoscale Light Management

New Stuff in Old Places: Light Microscopy of Polymers

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