Work

Parallel scanning-optical nanoscopy with optically confined probes

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: We report the imaging of sub-diffraction limited features using an optical probe generated by focusing a round spot at one wavelength, lambda(1) = 405 nm, and a ring-shaped spot at a second wavelength, lambda(2) = 532 nm, onto a thin photochromic layer that coats the nanostructures. Illumination at lambda(2) turns the photochromic layer opaque to lambda(1) everywhere except at the centre of the ring, where the illumination at lambda(1) penetrates and probes the underlying nanostructure. We confirm that this optically confined probe increases image contrast and is able to resolve features smaller than the far-field diffraction limit. Furthermore, by using an array of dual-wavelength diffractive microlenses, we demonstrate the feasibility of parallelizing this approach. Compared to previous approaches, our technique is not limited to fluorescence imaging.

Source: Optics Express

DOI: 10.1364/oe.18.016014

Authors: Hsin-Yu Tsai, Samuel W. Thomas, Rajesh Menon

Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Near-Field Optical Microscopy

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,270

Funder: Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology