This technology is an imaging technique called deterministic emitter switch microscopy (DESM) that employs tunable fluorescent nanodiamonds to achieve nanometer-scale fluorescence imaging.
Current super-resolution microscopy methods, such as photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) and stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), use sequential activation of photoswitchable fluorophores to produce high-resolution images well below the diffraction limits of traditional fluorescence microscopy. However, these methods are limited by the need for precise control over the density of fluorophores, and suffer from trade-offs between photostability and imaging rate. As such, there is a need for a microscopy method that enables rapid, super-resolution imaging of photostable and controllable fluorophores.
This technology uses externally-controlled fluorescent nanodiamonds to enable rapid, super-resolution microscopy. This technology works by selectively exciting nitrogen vacancy centers (NVCs) within fluorescent nanodiamonds using specific light or microwave field frequencies. Images are then captured by a CCD camera and processed to resolve the signal from individual fluorescent nanodiamonds. Using this process, this technology can distinguish up to an estimated 10,000 NVCs within a focal spot to produce a super-resolution image. Combined with the ability of NVCs to sense magnetic and electric fields, this technology enables rapid, super-resolution imaging for tracking and sensing applications in the life and physical sciences.
This technology has been used to resolve fluorescent images down to 12 nm across a 35 × 35 micron area.
Dirk Englund, Ph.D.
Patent Pending (US 20160161429)
IR CU12035, IR CU12035-a
Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel
