Superresolving optical system with time multiplexing and computer decoding

Objects that have slow temporal variations may be superresolved with two moving masks such as pinhole or grating. The first mask is responsible for encoding the input image, and the second one performs the decoding operation. This approach is efficient for exceeding the resolving capability beyond Abbe’s limit of resolution. However, the proposed setup requires two physical gratings that should move in a synchronized manner. We propose what is believed to be a novel configuration in which the second grating responsible for the information decoding is replaced with a detector array and some postprocessing digital procedures. In this way the synchronization problem that exists when two gratings are used is simplified. Experimental results are provided for illustrating the utility of the new approach.