Abstract

We demonstrate that the spatial resolution in confocal laser scanning microscopy is remarkably improved by simple image subtraction between images acquired by higher-order transverse modes of a cylindrical vector beam, referred to as radially and azimuthally polarized Laguerre–Gaussian mode beams. Two types of combinations of vector mode beams suitable for subtraction imaging are derived by a systematical study based on numerical calculations. The spatial resolution of about 100 nm is experimentally achieved without the degradation of image quality.

© 2019 Optical Society of America

Resolution enhancement of confocal microscopy by subtraction method with vector beams

Susumu Segawa, Yuichi Kozawa, and Shunichi Sato
Opt. Lett. 39(11) 3118-3121 (2014)

Demonstration of subtraction imaging in confocal microscopy with vector beams

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Lateral resolution enhancement of laser scanning microscopy by a higher-order radially polarized mode beam

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Differential fluorescence microscopy by using a dynamic cylindrical-vector field

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Numerical analysis of resolution enhancement in laser scanning microscopy using a radially polarized beam

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Opt. Express 23(3) 2076-2084 (2015)