Subdiffraction instrumentation development and application to the elucidation of biological systems, thin films, and organic photovoltaic devices

Abstract

CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION TO IMAGING WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DEPLETION-BASED SUBDIFFRACTION TECHNIQUES Background on Imaging Fluorescence and Raman Imaging Subdiffraction Imaging Techniques Wide field imaging Raster imaging Axial resolution enhancement with total internal reflection Overview of Thesis References CHAPTER 2 : SUPER-CONTINUUM STIMULATED EMISSION DEPLETION (STED) FLUORESCENCE LIFETIME IMAGING Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Instrumentation. Sample preparation. Imaging. Results and Discussion Instrumental spatial resolution: fluorescent beads. SC STED fluorescence lifetime imaging. Sub-diffraction fluorescence lifetime imaging of cultured cells. Conclusions Acknowledgements References CHAPTER 3 : SUBDIFFRACTION LUMINESCENCE-DEPLETION OF ISOLATED, GIANT, CdSe/CdS NANOCRYSTAL QUANTUM DOTS Abstract Experimental Sample preparation and characterization Imaging iv Results and Discussion Luminescence depletion efficiencies of g-NQDs Determination of G-NQDs on/off Time and photobleaching rates Subdiffraction spatial resolution using g-NQDs Conclusions Acknowledgements References