Recently, a research team from the College of Science at the National University of Defense Technology achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of super-resolution optical computational imaging. The researchers developed an innovative optical imaging method termed “Relay-projection microscopic telescopy” (rPMT), which shows promise in addressing the long-standing bottlenecks that have hindered the advancement of optical imaging technology. This research, titled “Relay-projection microscopic telescopy”, was published in the internationally renowned journal Light: Science & Applications (Impact Factor: 20.6, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41377-025-01800-6).
Current technological approaches face significant obstacles in simultaneously enhancing the spatial resolution, imaging distance, and depth in the field of optical imaging systems. These limitations are increasingly critical in fields such as biomedical research, semiconductor manufacturing, and remote diagnostics, where there is a growing demand for improved performance across these parameters. Existing solutions generally necessitate compromises among these three factors, preventing simultaneous enhancements. To address this issue, the researchers introduced the rPMT method, which employs a novel square-law relay projection mechanism combined with a non-line-of-sight light collection strategy. This approach fundamentally challenges conventional optical imaging techniques by seamlessly integrating microscopic and telescopic functionalities.
Figure 1. The schematic diagram of rPMT
The rPMT method, utilizing simple equipment, achieves micron-level high-resolution dynamic microscopic video imaging over distances ranging from centimeters to hundreds of meters. It demonstrates capabilities for long-distance, high-resolution, large field-of-view, and high-dynamic optical imaging that surpass the diffraction limit and depth of field constraints typically associated with camera lenses. The method enhances spatial resolution and depth of field range by more than tenfold, which offers a new solution for applications requiring ultra-long working distances, ultra-large depth of field microscopic imaging, and long-distance micro-scale target detection. Furthermore, distinguished from contemporary super-resolution techniques, rPMT circumvents the necessity for labeling reagents, wavefront modulation, synthetic receive aperture, and ptychography scanning, thereby offering enhanced practicality and real-time performance.
Figure 2. Resolution capability test and phase contrast imaging of rPMT at a meter-scale object-to-screen distance
National University of Defense Technology is the primary institution associated with this research. Lecturer Yi Wenjun is both the first and corresponding author of the paper. Post-graduate student Zhu Shuyue is the co-first author, while Professor Li Xiujian is the co-corresponding author.
By: Yi Wenjun, Wang Jie