Achieving the ultimate optical resolution

• DOI: 10.1364/optica.3.001144
• Publication Date: 2016-10-10T20:08:54Z
• Authors: Martin Paúr; Bohumil Stoklasa; Zdenek Hradil; Luis L. Sánchez-Soto; Jaroslav Rehacek
• Keywords: Physics; QC1-999; 0103 physical sciences; 01 natural sciences

The Rayleigh criterion specifies the minimum separation between two incoherent point sources that may be resolved into distinct objects. We revisit this problem by examining Fisher information required for resolving sources. resulting Cramer–Rao bound gives error achievable any unbiased estimator. When only intensity in image plane is recorded, diverges as tends to zero, an effect has been dubbed curse. Nonetheless, curse can lifted with suitable measurements. Here, we work out optimal strategies and present a realization Gaussian slit apertures, which accomplished digital holographic techniques. Our results confirm immunity unprecedented experimental precision.