Spatially correlated coherent diffractive imaging method.

Coherent diffractive imaging (CDI) is a lensless, high-resolution imaging method that is currently under rapid development by using X-rays, visible light, or electrons. However, its inherent ambiguities and the need of a priori knowledge about objects are limiting applications based on this method. By combining a conventional CDI method with the basic idea of ptychography, the method of spatially correlated CDI, a method fit for multiple sample imaging in single-shot mode, is proposed to enhance the robustness of CDI. In this method, a strong spatial relevancy is built by introducing the same region into each sample, which establishes a strong real-space constraint for image reconstruction. Both simulations and visible-light experiments demonstrated the good imaging quality and robustness of this method, which does not need tight supports.