Superresolution imaging via linear optics in the far-field regime

瑞利准则将两个非相干点源之间的最小可分辨距离定义为衍射极限光斑尺寸。多年来，将分辨率提高到这个极限以外一直是一个关键的悬而未决的问题。已经实现了一些解决方案；然而，到目前为止，所有这些技术都依赖于近场或非线性光学探测，这使得它们具有侵入性，昂贵且不普遍适用。因此，我们希望找到一种既具有线性光学特性又能在远场条件下工作的成像技术。最近的一项理论突破表明，“瑞利诅咒”可以通过在某些横向电磁模式下对图像进行相干检测来解决，而不是采用传统的成像程序，即测量图像平面上的非相干强度分布。迄今为止，已有原理证明实验结果证明了这种方法的合理性。该项目的目标是在与实际应用相关的各种环境中测试这种方法，评估其优点和局限性。如果成功，它将产生一种革命性的成像技术，有可能改变涉及光学成像的所有科学和技术领域的面貌，包括天文学、生物学、医学和纳米技术，以及光机械工业。该项目属于EPSRC量子光学和信息主题

Rayleigh's criterion defines the minimum resolvable distance between two incoherent point sources as the diffraction-limited spot size. Enhancing the resolution beyond this limit has been a crucial outstanding problem for many years. A number of solutions have been realized; however, all of them so far relied either on near-field or nonlinear-optical probing, which makes them invasive, expensive and not universally applicable. It would therefore be desirable to find an imaging technique that is both linear-optical and operational in the far-field regime. A recent theoretical breakthrough demonstrated that "Rayleigh's curse" can be resolved by coherent detection the image in certain transverse electromagnetic modes, rather than implementing the traditional imaging procedure, which consists in measuring the incoherent intensity distribution over the image plane. To date, there exist proof-of-principle experimental results demonstrating the plausibility of this approach. The objective of the project is to test this approach in a variety of settings that are relevant for practical application, evaluate its advantages and limitations. If successful, it will result in a revolutionary imaging technology with a potential to change the faces of all fields of science and technology that involve optical imaging, including astronomy, biology, medicine and nanotechnology, as well as optomechanical industry.This project falls under the EPSRC Quantum optics and information theme