diffraction Protocols

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Optical Microscopy Protocols

Diffraction-limited optical microscopy requires that the spatial resolution of an image is limited by the wavelength of the incident light & by the numerical apertures of the condenser & objective lens systems.The development of near-field scanning optical microscopy (scanning near-field optical microscopy) has allowed for a imaging technique that retains the various contrast mechanisms afforded by optical microscopy methods while attaining spatial resolution beyond the optical diffraction limit - [Read Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Optical Microscopy Protocols

Near-field scanning optical microscopy can achieve spatial resolution performance beyond the classical diffraction limit by employing a sub-wavelength light source or detector positioned in close proximity to a specimen. Such a sub-wavelength source usually consists of an aperture at the end of a tapered probe, which functions basically as a wave guide. Includes info.: Fiber Probe Fabrication; Pulling Method; Meniscus Etching; Selective Etching; Apertureless and Alternative Probe Designs etc. - [Read Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy: NSOM Probes]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Optical Microscopy Protocols

The light microscope allows dynamic biological processes to be imaged in their native (i.e., aqueous) environment with relatively high temporal resolution. However, the diffraction-limited resolution is low. When working at or beyond the diffraction-limited resolution of the LM, a disadvantage of fluorescence imaging is the relatively low signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the images. However, this can be increased significantly by video and computer technology. - [Read Watching Molecular Motors at Work by Video-Enhanced Light Microscopy]