Confocal super-resolution microscopy based on a spatial mode sorter

Spatial resolution is one of the most important specifications an imaging system. Recent results in quantum parameter estimation theory reveal that arbitrarily small distance between two incoherent point sources can always be efficiently determined through use a spatial mode sorter. However, extending this procedure to general object consisting many remains challenging, due intrinsic complexity multi-parameter problems. Here, we generalize Richardson-Lucy (RL) deconvolution algorithm address challenge. We simulate its application confocal microscope, with Zernike sorter replacing pinhole used conventional microscope. test different spatially objects arbitrary geometry, and find enhancement sorter-based microscopy on average over 30% higher than microscope using standard RL algorithm. Our method could potentially diverse applications such as fluorescence astronomical imaging.