Light microscopy beyond the limits of diffraction and to the limits of single molecule resolution

Aaron Lewis*, Raoul Kopelman, Michael Isaacson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A method has been developed that permits the resolution of light microscopy to be extended below the fundamental limit imposd by the wavelength of light. The technique is based on a demonstration that significant light intensities can be passed through well-defined apertures that can be as small as 1/10 the wavelength of visible radiation. When such sub-wavelength light beams are brought to within 50nm of a surface the illuminated area can be as small as the aperture size. Thus, if a surface is scanned with this light an image of the surface with a resolution comparable to the aperture diameter, rather than the wavelength, can be generated. The authors have developoed as an extension of near-field scanning optical microscopy a new biologically non-well-known energy transfer 'spectral ruler' method with a novel micromovement technology.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
EditorsLouis C. Smith
PublisherPubl by Int Soc for Optical Engineering
Pages60-61
Number of pages2
ISBN (Print)081940246X
StatePublished - 1990
EventBioimaging and Two-Dimensional Spectroscopy - Los Angeles, CA, USA
Duration: 18 Jan 199019 Jan 1990

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume1205
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceBioimaging and Two-Dimensional Spectroscopy
CityLos Angeles, CA, USA
Period18/01/9019/01/90

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