Physical Limits to the Performance of Imaging Systems

Abstract

Our visual system provides our principal contact with the world around us. This system, thanks to millions of years of natural development, achieved a high degree of perfection long before humans arrived on the scene. To attain such perfection, these evolutionary processes had to recognize the quantum nature of light—a remarkable accomplishment.

Spin-Polarized Low Energy Electron Microscopy

“…If the noise in the image is predominantly due to the counting process (shot noise) and if we neglect the CCD dark current and the pulse height distribution of the single electron responses, N p electrons hitting the effective area of the channel plate belonging to the pixel of interest will generate N = η 1 η 2 η 3 N p charge pulses in the CCD cell. Assuming the physiological threshold signal-to-noise ratio S, which was determined by Rose 6,7 to be close to S = 5 and var(N ) = (N) due to shot noise, at least 25 events have to be counted before the single pixel signal is recognized to deviate significantly from the neighboring pixels.…”

Bridging Size Scales with Self-Assembling Supramolecular Materials

“…The crystals act as nucleation sites during the development process. The lateral dimensions of the smallest features generated by photography are of the order of 5 m. 3 In one step, then, one can jump two Feynman reductions!…”

Multispectral Image Processing: The Nature Factor

“…Yet, orthodontists routinely have to compare dental X-rays taken over a period of months to determine tooth positioning. Our visible cameras can now match the sensitivity of the human eye, 23 and we will soon have the capability of true 3D display of aircraft positions for air traffic controllers. 24 Still, we obtain most of our daily news and information from flat displays, pictures and written text.…”