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Updated: Jul 9, 2025

A Guide to Structured Illumination TIRF Microscopy at High Speed with Multiple Colors
Published on: May 30, 2016
Grazing incidence to total internal reflection fluorescence structured illumination microscopy enabled by a prism
A novel hexagonal prism telescope allows seamless adjustment of laser spot separation in super-resolution microscopy. This innovation enhances spatial resolution and enables transitions to total internal reflection fluorescence imaging.
Area of Science:
- Optical microscopy
- Super-resolution imaging
Background:
- Spatial resolution in super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SR-SIM) is limited by laser spot separation in the objective's back focal plane.
- Precise control over illumination patterns is crucial for achieving higher resolution in SR-SIM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel hexagonal prism telescope for adjustable laser beam separation in SR-SIM.
- To enable seamless control over pattern periodicity and spatial frequency for improved resolution.
- To facilitate the transition between 2D-SR-SIM and total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) excitation.
Main Methods:
- A hexagonal prism telescope with custom-ground Littrow prisms was designed to adjust the separation of 3 pairs of laser beams simultaneously.
- The distance between hexagonal prism assemblies was varied to modify beam separation.
- The system was tested for its ability to transition between SR-SIM and TIRF modes.
Main Results:
- The hexagonal prism telescope allows seamless adjustment of laser spot separation and spatial frequency.
- It enables a smooth transition from 2D-SR-SIM to TIRF excitation.
- The system facilitates investigation of spatial resolution and contrast dependence on the angle of incidence near, at, and beyond the critical angle.
Conclusions:
- The novel hexagonal prism telescope offers precise control over illumination parameters in SR-SIM.
- This technology improves spatial resolution and expands imaging capabilities, including TIRF.
- It is demonstrated by imaging fine cellular structures like pores in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells.
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