Optimising superoscillatory spots for far-field super-resolution imaging

Optical superoscillatory imaging, allowing unlabelled far-field super-resolution, has in recent years become reality. Instruments have been built and their super-resolution imaging capabilities demonstrated. The question is no longer whether this can be done, but how well: what resolution is practically achievable? Numerous works have optimised various particular features of superoscillatory spots, but in order to probe the limits of superoscillatory imaging we need to simultaneously optimise all the important spot features: those that define the resolution of the system. We simultaneously optimise spot size and its intensity relative to the sidebands for various fields of view, giving a set of best compromises for use in different imaging scenarios. Our technique uses the circular prolate spheroidal wave functions as a basis set on the field of view, and the optimal combination of these, representing the optimal spot, is found using a multi-objective genetic algorithm. We then introduce a less computationally demanding approach suitable for real-time use in the laboratory which, crucially, allows independent control of spot size and field of view. Imaging simulations demonstrate the resolution achievable with these spots. We show a three-order-of-magnitude improvement in the efficiency of focusing to achieve the same resolution as previously reported results, or a 26 % increase in resolution for the same efficiency of focusing

Development of hydrogel-based standards and phantoms for non-linear imaging at depth

Significance: Rapid advances in medical imaging technology, particularly the development of optical systems with non-linear imaging modalities, are boosting deep tissue imaging. The development of reliable standards and phantoms is critical for validation and optimization of these cutting-edge imaging techniques. Aim: We aim to design and fabricate flexible, multi-layered hydrogel-based optical standards and evaluate advanced optical imaging techniques at depth. Approach: Standards were made using a robust double-network hydrogel matrix consisting of agarose and polyacrylamide. The materials generated ranged from single layers to more complex constructs consisting of up to seven layers, with modality-specific markers embedded between the layers. Results: These standards proved useful in the determination of the axial scaling factor for light microscopy and allowed for depth evaluation for different imaging modalities (conventional one-photon excitation fluorescence imaging, two-photon excitation fluorescence imaging, second harmonic generation imaging, and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering) achieving actual depths of 1550, 1550, 1240, and 1240 μm, respectively. Once fabricated, the phantoms were found to be stable for many months. Conclusions: The ability to image at depth, the phantom's robustness and flexible layered structure, and the ready incorporation of "optical markers" make these ideal depth standards for the validation of a variety of imaging modalities

High Efficiency Colloidal Quantum Dot Infrared Light Emitting Diodes via Engineering at the Supra-Nanocrystalline Level

Colloidal quantum dot (CQD) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) deliver a compelling performance in the visible, yet infrared CQD LEDs underperform their visible-emitting counterparts, largely due to their low photoluminescence quantum efficiency. Here we employ a ternary blend of CQD thin film that comprises a binary host matrix that serves to electronically passivate as well as to cater for an efficient and balanced carrier supply to the emitting quantum dot species. In doing so, we report infrared PbS CQD LEDs with an external quantum efficiency of ~7.9% and a power conversion efficiency of ~9.3%, thanks to their very low density of trap states, on the order of 1014 cm−3, and very high photoluminescence quantum efficiency in electrically conductive quantum dot solids of more than 60%. When these blend devices operate as solar cells they deliver an open circuit voltage that approaches their radiative limit thanks to the synergistic effect of the reduced trap-state density and the density of state modification in the nanocomposite.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Charge transfer in hybrid organic-inorganic PbS nanocrystal systems

Charge transfer interactions between PbS nanocrystals (NCs) and tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) are studied using optical spectroscopy. Selective quenching of PbS NC photoluminescence (PL) by TTF is observed and related to the relative alignment of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of TTF and the PbS NC 1s(h) energy level. TCNQ is also found to quench PbS NC PL irrespective of the NC bandgap. A ground-state charge transfer mechanism between PbS and TCNQ is proposed to account for the observed quenching indirectly supported by observed changes in the absorption spectra of PbS-TTF and PbS-TCNQ solutions. Additionally, a second emission band in the visible spectral region ( approximately 675 nm) is found upon excitation of PbS-TCNQ solutions. These results are of interest for the future design of charge-transfer systems for use in hybrid organic-inorganic systems

Comparison of SC fibers for fs Ti:Sapphire based hyperspectral CARS microscopy

Hyperspectral coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy is a rapidly developing field enabling label-free, chemically selective bio-imaging based on Raman signatures [1]. A significant factor limiting its clinical application is the complexity of current laser sources. A solution immediately relevant to two-photon excited fluorescence imaging laboratories is coherently broadening a fs Ti :Sapphire laser seed in a fiber to provide the Raman wavelengths via spectral-focusing (SF) CARS. The NKT fiber with two Zero Dispersion Wavelengths (ZDWs) is one option but the spectrum exhibits low Power Spectral Density (PSD) because of the large (&gt;800 nm) spectral broadening. Here we perform the first systematic comparison sweeping (i) input pump power, (ii) pump wavelength and (iii) fiber length comparing the coherent SC from a femtoWHITE-CARS (2 ZDWs) fiber, a fiber with one ZDW offset above the seed wavelength, and an all-normal dispersion (ANDi) fiber. Starting with the seed laser polarisation aligned to a principal fiber axis, we show the total experimentally measured spectral output and importantly the polarisation resolved spectral component on the orthogonal axis, which is a measure of the nonlinear power-dependent depolarisation[2]. This orthogonal component will degrade the efficiency of the CARS signal but still contributes to the bio-toxicity that limits the maximum power for imaging. Finally, we show representative SF-CARS microscopy images to showcase the power of this technique.</p

Hydrogel-based standards for single and multiphoton imaging at depth

Medical imaging is advancing rapidly through the development of novel laser sources and non-linear imaging methodologies. These developments are boosting deep tissue imaging allowing researchers to study diseases deep in the body enabling early diagnosis and better treatment. To help with the testing and optimization of these imaging systems and to aid in this process of deep tissue imaging, it's important to have robust, stable and reproducible standards and phantoms. Herein we present the design and fabrication of robust, multi-layered, hydrogel-based standards. The hydrogel used is a double network hydrogel consisting of two interpenetrating networks agarose and polyacrylamide. Thin layers of tough double network hydrogels are stacked to form multilayered depth standards having modality specific signaling markers embedded in between. Standard design and assembly ensured long term stability and easy transport. These proved useful in-depth imaging studies, utilizing multiple imaging modalities, including one photon fluorescence (1PEF), two photon fluorescence (2PEF), coherent anti-Stokes Raman imaging (CARS) and second harmonic generation imaging (SHG)