Light efficient imaging with improved resolving ability

The optical transfer function (OTF) in imaging systems with incoherent illu mination is analyzed in order to obtain an optical system, which maintains high light-collection efficiency and acceptable performance. The desired OT F is such that it provides a smaller point spread function needed to obtain an improved spatial resolution without sacrificing the energy collection e fficiency of the system. The resolution improvement is associated with a co ntrast degradation of the output image. The contrast can however be digital ly enhanced. The paper includes a theoretical description, computer feasibi lity studies and performance analysis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.