Light efficient imaging with improved resolving ability

Abstract

The optical transfer function (OTF) in imaging systems with incoherent illumination is analyzed in order to obtain an optical system, which maintains high light-collection efficiency and acceptable performance. The desired OTF is such that it provides a smaller point spread function needed to obtain an improved spatial resolution without sacrificing the energy collection efficiency of the system. The resolution improvement is associated with a contrast degradation of the output image. The contrast can however be digitally enhanced. The paper includes a theoretical description, computer feasibility studies and performance analysis.