Concepts and Criteria of Resolution

Abstract

In the first chapter I defined the terms resolution, contrast, and magnification. I contrasted the terms resolution and magnification. I stressed the synergy between resolution and contrast in the microscope. In this chapter I discuss the various definitions and concepts that are used as metrics of resolution. In addition, I introduce some topics from physical optics and others from information theory that lead to a deeper understanding of the concept of resolution. I will answer the following questions about optical resolution and resolving power: What is resolution? How do we measure resolution? What limits resolution and what confounds our concepts and understanding of it? Then, I segue from a discussion of resolution concepts to the concept of superresolution, the content of Part III of this book.