Achieving superresolution imaging via k-space superoscillation

Qitong Li; Mark L. Brongersma

doi:10.1186/s43593-026-00136-x

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

Achieving superresolution imaging via k-space superoscillation

eLight Vol. 6, (2026)

Editorial | Updated：2026-07-21

- Achieving superresolution imaging via k-space superoscillation
- Affiliations：
- Author bio：
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1186/s43593-026-00136-x
  CLC：
- Online First：10 July 2026，
  
  Published：2026-12
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Qitong Li, Mark L. Brongersma. Achieving superresolution imaging via k-space superoscillation[J]. eLight, 2026, 6.
DOI：

Qitong Li, Mark L. Brongersma. Achieving superresolution imaging via k-space superoscillation[J]. eLight, 2026, 6. DOI： 10.1186/s43593-026-00136-x.

摘要

Abstract

The inability to resolve closely spaced objects fundamentally limits the information accessible to optical imaging systems. In a recent study

-space superoscillation framework is introduced as an alternative route to far-field superresolution imaging. By engineering a nonlocal

angle-dependent transmission function

the approach effectively redistributes spatial-frequency content in momentum space

enabling enhanced separ

ation of image features without narrowing the point spread function. Implemented via an inverse-designed multilayer metastructure

the concept is experimentally validated at microwave frequencies

achieving an approximately twofold improvement in resolution. By suppressing real-space sidebands and concentrating energy into the focal region

the

-space approach addresses key limitations of conventional real-space superoscillation. Despite remaining challenges

such as scalability and bandwidth constraints

this work highlights the growing role of inverse design in enabling unconventional optical functionalities and offers a promising pathway toward practical superresolution imaging systems.

关键词

Keywords

references

J.W. Goodman , Introduction to Fourier Optics ( Roberts & Company Publishers , 2005 ).

M.G.L. Gustafsson , Surpassing the lateral resolution limit by a factor of two using structured illumination microscopy . J. Microsc. 198 , 82 - 87 ( 2000 ). http://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2818.2000.00710.x http://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2818.2000.00710.x

S.W. Hell , J. Wichmann , Breaking the diffraction resolution limit by stimulated emission: stimulated-emission-depletion fluorescence microscopy . Opt. Lett. 19 ,( 1994 ). http://doi.org/10.1364/OL.19.000780 http://doi.org/10.1364/OL.19.000780

E.T.F. Rogers et al. , A super-oscillatory lens optical microscope for subwavelength imaging . Nat. Mater. 11 , 432 - 435 ( 2012 ). http://doi.org/10.1038/nmat3280 http://doi.org/10.1038/nmat3280

M. Berry et al. , Roadmap on superoscillations . J. Opt. 21 ,( 2019 ). http://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/ab0191 http://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/ab0191

M.J. Rust , M. Bates , X. Zhuang , Sub-diffraction-limit imaging by stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) . Nat. Meth. 3 , 793 - 796 ( 2006 ). http://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth929 http://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth929

C. Dong , C.C. Loy , K. He , X. Tang , Image super-resolution using deep convolutional networks . IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell. 38 , 295 - 307 ( 2016 ). http://doi.org/10.1109/TPAMI.2015.2439281 http://doi.org/10.1109/TPAMI.2015.2439281

B. Zhang , H. Zhang , F. Zhang , W. Liu , Y. Yang , Far-field superresolution imaging via k-space superoscillation . eLight 6 ,( 2026 ). http://doi.org/10.1186/s43593-026-00121-4 http://doi.org/10.1186/s43593-026-00121-4

S. Molesky et al. , Inverse design in nanophotonics . Nat. Photonics 12 , 659 - 670 ( 2018 ). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-018-0246-9 http://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-018-0246-9

Views

Downloads

CSCD

Alert me when the article has been cited

Submit

Publicity Resources

Scanning-exciton optical nanoscopy using a single quantum dot

Monolithic microcavity-metalens interfaces: bridging performance and complexity in quantum light sources

High-performance sources of multidimensionally engineered quantum light based on monolithic microcavity-metalens interfaces

Broadband coloured skyrmions generated by on-chip ferroelectric spherulites

Nonlinear nonlocal metasurfaces

Related Author

No data

Related Institution

No data

⁰