Nanoparticle-assisted stimulated-emission-depletion nanoscopy

ACS Nano. 2012 Jun 26;6(6):5291-6. doi: 10.1021/nn301082g. Epub 2012 Apr 30.

Abstract

We show that metal nanoparticles can be used to improve the performance of super-resolution fluorescence nanoscopes based on stimulated-emission-depletion (STED). Compared with a standard STED nanoscope, we show theoretically a resolution improvement by more than an order of magnitude, or equivalently, depletion intensity reductions by more than 2 orders of magnitude and an even stronger photostabilization. Our scheme may allow improvement of existing STED nanoscopes and assist in the development of low-power, low-cost nanoscopes. This has the potential to increase the availability of STED nanoscopes and lead to a significant expansion of our understanding of biological and biochemical phenomena occurring on the nanoscale.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Contrast Media
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence / methods*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Nanoparticles / ultrastructure*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*

Substances

  • Contrast Media