Overcoming the diffraction limit using multiple light scattering in a highly disordered medium

Phys Rev Lett. 2011 Jul 8;107(2):023902. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.023902. Epub 2011 Jul 6.

Abstract

We report that disordered media made of randomly distributed nanoparticles can be used to overcome the diffraction limit of a conventional imaging system. By developing a method to extract the original image information from the multiple scattering induced by the turbid media, we dramatically increase a numerical aperture of the imaging system. As a result, the resolution is enhanced by more than 5 times over the diffraction limit, and the field of view is extended over the physical area of the camera. Our technique lays the foundation to use a turbid medium as a far-field superlens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Lenses*
  • Light*
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Scattering, Radiation*