Microspherical Lens Assembly for Super-Wide Field of View of Super-Resolution Optical Imaging

Abstract

In this paper, we report a novel design of a microspherical lens assembly that can realize super-resolution optical imaging in air with super-wide field of view (FOV). The microspherical lens assembly is made from a barium titanate glass (BTG) microsphere that is glued to a microspherical crown lens through optical adhesive. Experimental results show that super-resolution optical imaging in air can be achieved under a regular optical microscope when the microspherical lens assembly is brought sufficiently close to the sample surface. Super-wide FOV is also achieved when a larger BTG microsphere is used and there seems no obvious limitation on the size of the BTG microsphere as long as the curvature of the microspherical crown lens is properly tuned. Simulation study suggests that the focus point of the microlens needs to close to the bottom surface of the BTG microsphere in order to achieve the super-resolution optical imaging. The novel microspherical lens assembly will make the microsphere based super-resolution imaging a step further close to practical applications.