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Wide-field multispectral super-resolution imaging using spin-dependent fluorescence in nanodiamonds
Edward H Chen1, Ophir Gaathon, Matthew E Trusheim
1Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
Nano Letters
|April 4, 2013
Summary
Deterministic emitter switch microscopy (DESM) uses controlled brightness of nanodiamonds for super-resolution imaging. This technique achieves 12 nm localization for advanced biological tracking and sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Super-resolution microscopy overcomes diffraction limits using distinguishable fluorophores.
- Existing techniques rely on temporal or spectral separation of emitters.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce a novel super-resolution technique, deterministic emitter switch microscopy (DESM).
- Enable deterministic control over emitter brightness for enhanced imaging resolution.
Main Methods:
- Modulate fluorescence brightness of nitrogen-vacancy (NV(-)) centers in nanodiamonds via magnetic resonance.
- Utilize a CCD camera for imaging with DESM.
- Employ photostable, bright, and cytocompatible fluorescent nanodiamonds.
Main Results:
- Achieve super-resolution imaging with localization down to 12 nm.
- Demonstrate imaging across a 35 × 35 μm(2) area.
- Observe high fluorescence count rates (>1.5 × 10^6 photons/sec) from single NV(-) centers.
Conclusions:
- DESM offers a new approach to super-resolution imaging with precise emitter control.
- The technique is suitable for multispectral particle tracking and biological applications.
- DESM combined with NV(-) sensing capabilities opens avenues for rapid tracking and sensing in life and physical sciences.
