Moiré self-magnification and smoothing using Gaussian filters

Abstract

A technique to magnify an array of repetitive objects using the same array is demonstrated. The technique uses the Moiré effect in order to magnify the specimen, and filtering in the Fourier domain to smoothen the resulting image. In order to introduce the slight difference in period as required by the Moiré effect to take place, a specimen of the same array is used, but is located at a different viewing distance or angle. A simulation is done using repetitive hexagonal patterns, and the technique successfully magnified the pattern by 200 times. The technique is also demonstrated using hexagonal arrays printed on transparency films.