Enhanced resolution of microscopic objects by image inversion interferometry.

We demonstrate in experiment that the resolution of a conventional light microscope can be enhanced by 26% with the help of an image inverting interferometer. In order to prove this statement, we measured the point spread function of the system as well as the resolution of two-point objects. Additionally, the contrast transmission function of the interferometric setup was measured and compared to the results gained with a conventional wide-field microscope. Using the interferometric system, the spatial frequencies near the cutoff-frequency were far better transmitted than by the conventional microscope. Finally, we demonstrate the improved resolution with the help of images of two-dimensional structures.