Better Than a Lens? A Creative Technique for High-resolution Imaging

For centuries, researchers have used optical lenses to create detailed images of micro- to macrocosms, from distant galaxies to tiny molecules. Now, a team led by Jan Becker and Prof. Dr. Rainer Heintzmann presents an innovative approach that pushes the limits of traditional optical imaging without placing additional strain on the sample.

Instead of improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by increasing the amount of light – a process that can damage the sample – the team in Rainer Heintzmann’s Microscopy research department came up with a creative solution: they split the pupil of the objective into two parts – or more precisely, they split the light that passes through the objective using a specially designed mirror.

This creates two separate images, which are then combined by computer to create a high-quality overall image. This method reduces noise and improves the signal-to-noise ratio. It makes it possible to see finer details without exposing the sample to more light. The small elliptical mirror was fabricated by Dr. Uwe Hübner and his micro- and nanotechnology team in the clean room at Leibniz IPHT.

By subsequently combining the images, the researchers can achieve image quality that would not be possible with conventional images that pass entirely through the lens. The technology offers significant advantages for biomedical research and medical diagnostics, enabling high-resolution imaging – for example of tissues – with a minimized risk of phototoxic damage. It also opens new horizons in live-cell research by enabling more detailed three-­dimensional imaging.

Original publication: https://doi.org/10.1364/OPTICA.474947