Super-resolution imaging of azimuthal features with illumination carrying OAM

Abstract

Super-resolution imaging refers to imaging techniques that surpass the Rayleigh resolution limit. One standard way to achieve super-resolution is by structuring the phase of the field illuminating the object. Although super-resolution techniques are already employed in commercial imaging devices, intense research efforts continue to enhance the resolution even further. In this work, we show that if the field illuminating the object is structured in the azimuthal coordinate—such as a field carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM)—the azimuthal features of the object can be imaged with enhanced imaging resolution. We experimentally demonstrate it with two objects, namely, an azimuthal double-slit and a Siemens star. We find that for a given azimuthal feature, there is an optimum OAM mode index of the illumination that gives the best imaging resolution. Super-resolution imaging of azimuthal features can have important implications, especially for some biological objects that are known to have predominantly azimuthal features.