Super-resolved imager with nanometric resolution based on silicon coated gold nanoparticles

In our paper we will report the first step of a new method for changing the diffraction limited point spread function through the utilization of the plasma dispersion effect of silicon coated gold nanoparticles to achieve sub wavelength resolution. The plasma dispersion effect can change the optical coefficients of the silicon, under illumination with a focused laser beam. This laser illumination has a Gaussian profile with a higher intensity around its peak. As a result, the plasma dispersion effect is more pronounces at the center of the illumination. As a consequence, the reflected light from probe beam at the near infra-red region has a sub wavelength dip that overlaps with the location of the pump illumination peak. This dip has a higher spatial frequency than an ordinary Gaussian, which enables to achieve super resolution.