Pulse amplitude modulation masks for incoherent super resolution

In this paper we present several novel approaches for designing moving inte nsity masks in order to exceed the classical resolution limits of incoheren t optical systems. The paper deals with two types of masks both based on pu lse amplitude modulation (PAM) techniques. The first approach includes one mask that is attached to the input plane. The super resolution in the outpu t plane is obtained by applying a special data readout process of the sensi ng device. The second approach includes two moving masks: one is attached t o the input plane whereas the other to the output plane. In this case both masks are cycle-stationary. They are based on PAM but only their second ord er statistics is of interest. Thus a reduced sensitivity to fabrication err ors is obtained and no special data readout process is required. In both ca ses the presented systems enable one to restore high frequencies as well as to process the entire data. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.