Microsphere-assisted imaging combined with the differential phase contrast technique for nanoscale microscopy

Microsphere-assisted imaging has been demonstrated to improve imaging resolution and features a simple operation, low cost, and compatibility with multiple microscopic imaging techniques. In this Letter, we present an imaging method that integrates microsphere-assisted imaging with the differential phase contrast (DPC) technique. The DPC images correlated with phase gradients were generated by capturing the imaging results of microsphere-assisted imaging under asymmetric illumination. Imaging experiments using Blu-ray disc stripes demonstrated that the DPC technique can enhance the contrast and optimize the imaging quality of microsphere-assisted nano-imaging.