Sub-diffraction imaging of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond by stimulated emission depletion and structured illumination

Abstract

Stimulated emission depletion (STED) and structured illumination (SIM) are two commonly used techniques for super-resolution imaging. However, the performance of these two techniques has never been quantitatively compared side-by-side. Taking advantage of the non-photobleaching characteristic of NV centres in fluorescent nanodiamond (FND), we performed a comparative study for the resolution of these two methods with 35 nm FNDs at the single particle level, as well as with FND grown in bulk diamond material. Results show that STED provides more structural details, whereas SIM provides a larger field of view with a higher imaging speed. SIM may induce deconvolution smooth and orientational artifacts during its post-processing.

Beyond the partial light intensity imager: Eliminating Moiré patterns

“…If the applied voltage V can be reasonably controlled under some experimental conditions, the rotation angle of the LC molecules will be regulated, and then the LCD grating structure can be controlled to vary the width of the Moiré patterns fringe by in accordance with Eq. (7). The trend in the change of the Moiré pattern fringe width with the LC's applied voltage on the LC is shown in Fig.4 according to Eq.…”

“…Although Moiré patterns can play a positive role in a few applications [1][2][3][4][5][6][7], they result in unexpected random interference for detection [8][9]. In our previous works [10][11][12][13][14][15], three proposed instruments have suffered from such interference from Moiré patterns.…”

Optical nanoscopy with inorganic fluorescent nanoparticles

“…We have compared the imaging results for STED and structured illumination microscopy (SIM), with both FND particles and nitrogen-vacant (NV-) centers grown in bulk diamond. The non-toxicity, photostability, and the brightness of the FND make it a very good candidate to potentially replace the organic dye in super-resolution microscopy [2].…”

Review Article: Advanced nanoscale patterning and material synthesis with gas field helium and neon ion beams

“…73,74 This method can obtain enhanced optical properties compared to that typically seen for nitrogen implantation with high spatial resolution. Mechanical/structural properties of materials have also been controlled by direct-write He þ irradiation.…”