We obtain the ultimate quantum limit for estimating the transverse separation of two thermal point sources using a given imaging system with limited spatial bandwidth. We show via the quantum Cramér-Rao bound that, contrary to the Rayleigh limit in conventional direct imaging, quantum mechanics does not mandate any loss of precision in estimating even deep sub-Rayleigh separations. We propose t...

Planar Rayleigh scattering measurements using an ArF-excimerlaser have been performed to investigate helium mixing into air atsupersonic speeds. The capability of the Rayleigh scattering technique for flowvisualization of a turbulent environment is demonstrated in a large-scale, Mach 6facility. The detection limit obtained with the present setup indicates thatplanar, quantitative measurements o...

Planar Rayleigh scattering measurements using an ArF-excimerlaser have been performed to investigate helium mixing into air atsupersonic speeds. The capability of the Rayleigh scattering technique for flowvisualization of a turbulent environment is demonstrated in a large-scale, Mach 6facility. The detection limit obtained with the present setup indicates thatplanar, quantitative measurements o...

We develop a way to enhance the amplitudes of the nonpropagating evanescent orders of resonant dielectric gratings. We use this blazing to design gratings with spectra tailored to generate steerable sub-Rayleigh field concentrations on a surface. We investigate the enhancement and customization of evanescent fields necessary to create a virtual and passive scanning probe with no moving parts. S...

Self-oscillating systems, described in classical dynamics as limit cycles, are emerging canonical models for driven dissipative nonequilibrium open quantum systems and key elements technology. We consider a family of that interpolates between the textbook examples Rayleigh van der Pol oscillators follow their transition from to domain, while properly formulating corresponding descriptions. deri...

The Rayleigh criterion is generally regarded as a fundamental limit and due to its practical accuracy in predicting the performance of optical imaging systems, it has unfortunately become accepted as a de-facto physical law. In this work, we will show that this limit is simply a very good rule of thumb, which under proper conditions typically related to the signal-to-noise (SNR) of the sensor, ...