Source: Nature Communications

Authors: Ruihai Wang, Qianhao Zhao, David Brady, Guoan Zheng, et al.

Publication Date: November 26, 2025

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63793-4

Original Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-65661-8

Core Research Progress

Traditional synthetic aperture imaging is constrained by stringent wavefield synchronization requirements among multiple devices, which greatly hinders its practical deployment and application. In this study, the researchers propose a novel Multiscale Aperture Synthesis Imager (MASI). Leveraging distributed coded sensors and computational phase synchronization technology, MASI can break the diffraction limit of a single sensor without relying on overlapping measurement regions. Adopting a lens-free optical architecture, it enables sub-micron resolution imaging at ultra-long working distances and achieves 3D shape reconstruction over centimeter-scale fields of view, significantly lowering the practical application barriers of optical synthetic aperture imaging systems.

Technical Application Value

This technology addresses the core pain point of difficult deployment faced by traditional optical synthetic aperture imaging. Featuring lens-free design, ultra-long working distance, large field of view and ultra-high resolution, it supports high-precision two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging at long distances. It is applicable to a wide range of scenarios including long-distance precision observation, microscopic detection, and 3D topography reconstruction, providing an innovative and scalable solution for the industrialization of optical synthetic aperture imaging systems.

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