Abstract

We investigate the maximum resolution which can be obtained from x-ray holograms through optical reconstruction. This implies to reject paraxial approximations, i.e. to consider high numerical apertures, and to take into account the holographic aberrations. We determine first the limits to a perfectly corrected reconstruction, set by diffraction (in terms of numerical aperture and resolution). It is shown that the diffraction limit can be as good as λ_c/2.8, in a particular reconstruction configuration (λ_c: re-construction wavelength). Discussion of practical implementation suggests that λ_c/2.2 is reasonably feasible.

© 1988 Optical Society of America