Super-resolution imaging based on adjustable microsphere-assisted ultramicroscopic objective

This paper presents a microsphere-assisted ultramicroscopic objective comprised of a dielectric microsphere lens, a polymer plano-convex lens, and an objective lens with an adjustable distance between the microsphere and the objective lens. The dielectric microsphere lens and the polymer plano-convex lens are combined on a soda-lime glass substrate, which is then bonded to the objective lens using a 3D printed adapter. To prevent contamination and damage to the sample, when using a liquid immersion objective, the immersion liquid is placed on the opposite side of the soda-lime glass substrate from the microspheres. With this ultramicroscopic objective, imaging of grating structures on commercial Bluray discs (spacing: 100 nm) and pore structures on anodized aluminum oxide (spacing: 120 nm) was successfully achieved.