Recently, researchers at the Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have developed a scanning micro-lens super-resolution imaging technique with real-time visual feedback capability that breaks the observation limit limited by the laws of optical diffraction under natural conditions to achieve life and non-life Super-resolution real-time observation of the sample, so that the nano-robot's eyes more "sharp." Relevant results published in the recent "Nature Newsletter" periodicals.
Optical microscope can observe the limit of the object size of 200nm, still can not meet the needs of scientific development. In order to break through the diffraction limit, researchers have developed a series of new optical imaging technologies such as STED, PALM and STORM, which greatly expand the human ability to observe the tiny world. "These imaging techniques often use time-space-replacement methods, which are slow, require fluorescence staining, and excite external laser lights. This makes these super-resolution fluorescence microscopes have some limitations in practical applications. Considering that nano-robot manipulators and Work environment, the limitations of these methods will be particularly prominent. "Dr. Wang Feifei, the first author of the paper said.
Therefore, the micro-nano research group of Shenyang Automation Institute conducted an in-depth study on the physical mechanism of the super-resolution imaging of microlenses and proved the role played by evanescent waves in the super-resolution imaging of microlenses, and explained the sources of superresolution capability. The mechanism of lens imaging is studied. The theoretical analysis based on spectral analysis method is in good agreement with the experimental results. The method of improving the resolution of micro-lens based on the change of illumination conditions is put forward and the mechanism behind the theory is described.
On this basis, the researchers draw on the robot's perception, decision-making and control theory, design and build a super-resolution imaging system with independent intellectual property rights, and proposed a dynamic closed-loop feedback control method for the micro-lens spatial position with nanometer accuracy, Micro lens and sample spacing and effective control of the interaction force. Real-time and large-scale super-resolution imaging of living cells and IC chips with a resolution of 65 nm was achieved under the condition of no-tagged natural light irradiation, which verified the advancedness and correctness of the relevant theories.
Since the technology is not limited by the sample and the environment, the dynamic tracking of the nanoscale living material and the non-living material is realized, the function and performance of the nanobar are improved, and the application prospect is broader.