Optical super-resolution by subtraction of time-gated images

Abstract

Applying image subtraction strategy together with time-gated detection, we can reveal finer details in a fixed cell sample using moderate light intensities. The subtractive imaging is obtained from the subtraction of a suitably weighted short lifetime intensity-image from a long lifetime one, while the weight coefficient can be selected using the analysis of an optical transfer function. Compared with other subtractive methods, ours is regarded as an optimized variation of gated stimulated emission depletion microscopy and can be implemented in a simpler manner, providing lateral super-resolution, and it is theoretically possible to further expand its application scope.