Coherent superresolution assisted by surface plasmons and the role of dielelctric microlenses

Chih-Wei Chang; Pin-Yi Li; Yang Tsao; Shi-Wei Chu

doi:10.1117/12.2320396

19 September 2018 Coherent superresolution assisted by surface plasmons and the role of dielelctric microlenses

Chih-Wei Chang, Pin-Yi Li, Yang Tsao, Shi-Wei Chu

Proceedings Volume 10722, Plasmonics: Design, Materials, Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications XVI; 107220E (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2320396
Event: SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, 2018, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The mechanism of supperresolution found in dielectric microlenses has been a puzzle for a long time. Many proposals or models have been put forward but the underlying mechanism still remains unclear. Here we experimentally demonstrate that, when lifting a microlens above a sample, the defocused images taken by the microlens behave like those of conventional lenses, thus excluding evanescent waves as a likely mechanism for superresolution. We further employ a heating method to scan across optical resonant conditions of a microsphere while simultaneously monitoring the image resolution. The null result also excludes photonic nanojets to be the mechanism for superresolution. We also find the microlenses exhibit an interesting diameter-dependent resolving power, indicating effects beyond ray optics. Finally, we discover that the superresolution is mainly achieved by coherent imaging, assisted by surface plasmons of the underneath samples.

Citation Download Citation

Chih-Wei Chang, Pin-Yi Li, Yang Tsao, and Shi-Wei Chu "Coherent superresolution assisted by surface plasmons and the role of dielelctric microlenses", Proc. SPIE 10722, Plasmonics: Design, Materials, Fabrication, Characterization, and Applications XVI, 107220E (19 September 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2320396

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