4Pi spectral self-interference microscopy

J Opt Soc Am A Opt Image Sci Vis. 2007 Dec;24(12):3762-71. doi: 10.1364/josaa.24.003762.

Abstract

Spectral self-interference microscopy (SSM) relies on the balanced collection of light traveling two different paths from the sample to the detector, one direct and the other indirect from a reflecting substrate. The resulting spectral interference effects allow nanometer-scale axial localization of isolated emitters. To produce spectral fringes the difference between the two optical paths must be significant. Consequently, to ensure that both contributions are in focus, a low-numerical-aperture objective lens must be used, giving poor lateral resolution. Here this limitation is overcome using a 4Pi apparatus to produce the requisite two paths to the detector. The resulting instrument generalizes both SSM and 4Pi microscopy and allows a quantification of SSM resolution (rather than localization precision). Specifically, SSM is shown to be subject to the same resolution constraints as 4Pi microscopy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Image Enhancement / instrumentation*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / instrumentation
  • Lasers, Semiconductor
  • Lenses
  • Microscopy, Interference / instrumentation*
  • Reference Values
  • Refractometry / instrumentation
  • Refractometry / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity