Superresolution in Scanning Optical Systems

Abstract

In this contribution we describe some approaches which attempt to increase the resolution of optical imaging systems. In particular, we are interested in scanning systems, such as the confocal microscope, using both coherent and fluorescent light, and the optical disc. The basic optical imaging principles of both compact discs and current DVDs and those of a confocal scanning microscope using coherent illumination are very similar and thus some of our considerations can be applied to both. In so far as one might consider a disc system using fluorescent media, even more of the ground would be common.