Realization of wafer-scale hyperlens device for sub-diffractional biomolecular imaging

Abstract

A hyperlens is a super-resolution optical imaging device based on unique hyperbolic dispersions making the sub-diffraction-limited information on objects propagate to the far-field. Here, we propose a new device consisting of a 4-inch wafer-scale spherical hyperlens array that allows high-throughput and easy-to-handle real-time biomolecular imaging. With this proposed device, we report the first experimental demonstration of real-time sub-diffraction-limited biomolecular imaging using a hyperlens. Hippocampal neuron cells are imaged using a hyperlens at a resolution down to 151 nm, much smaller than the diffraction limit of conventional imaging systems in the visible wavelength. These wafer-scale hyperlens devices have great potential for simple, compact, and low-cost integration with conventional optics and therefore a large variety of imaging applications in biology, pathology, medical science and general nanoscience.