Label free ultra-sensitive imaging with sub-diffraction spatial resolution

Abstract

In this paper, we show a new way to break the resolution limit and dramatically improve sensitivity to structural changes. To realize it we developed a novel label free contrast mechanism, based on the spectral encoding of spatial frequency (SESF) approach. The super-resolution SESF (srSESF) microscopy is based on reconstruction of the axial spatial frequency (period) profiles for each image point and comparison of these profiles to form super-resolution image. As a result, the information content of images is dramatically improved in comparison with conventional microscopy. Numerical simulation and experiments demonstrate significant improvement in sensitivity and resolution.