"If the distance between the components is so close that the first beam generated by diffraction can no longer enter the objective lens simultaneously with the non-diffracted light cone, then the microscope will not be able to observe them separately." Ernst Abbe, 1873.

In VirtualLab Fusion, we have established an imaging system, using a chromium grating as a test object, and demonstrated Ernst Abbe's theory. On the one hand, we changed the grating period; on the other hand, we changed the aperture on the Fourier plane (while keeping the period unchanged) and studied its impact on image formation.

Modeling Task - Imaging with Grating Period Variation

Image Formation Analysis

Image Formation Analysis

Gratings with Different Periods

Imaging of Gratings with Different Periods

Fourier Plane Images with Different Periods

Imaging of Gratings with Different Periods

Aperture width of 5mm

Aperture diameter of 3mm

Aperture diameter of 1mm

Aperture diameter of 0.5mm

Application of VirtualLab Fusion

Workflow in VirtualLab Fusion

Import the lens system from Zemax OpticStudio®.

- Import Optical Systems from Zemax OpticStudio® [Use Case]

Include grating elements in the system modeling and set the Fourier transform appropriately according to the situation.

Technology of VirtualLab Fusion