Abstract
Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is one of the most powerful and versatile super-resolution methods due to its live-cell imaging ability of subcellular structures with high speed. In this paper, we propose an alternative SIM assisted by Bloch surface wave (BSW). Through replacing the conventional laser interference fringes with sub-diffraction BSW counterparts with higher spatial frequency, the imaging resolution of SIM could be enhanced greatly and the super-resolution imaging capability down to 80 nm could be achieved. Compared with traditional wide-field fluorescence microscopy, this BSW SIM demonstrates 2.78 times enhancement in imaging resolution, which surpasses general SIM with only 2 times improvement. Moreover, the structured illumination intensity could be boosted drastically, which is beneficial to nonlinear super-resolution imaging techniques, such as saturated SIM. This BSW SIM would provide a super-resolution, wide field of view approach for surface super-resolution fluorescent imaging while maintaining high imaging speed and good bio-compatibility.
Highlights
Bound by the optical diffraction limit, the conventional optical microscopy just achieves the limited spatial resolution of around 250 nm in lateral for visible light
We propose an alternative Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) assisted by Bloch surface wave (BSW)
Fig. 4. interference intensity profiles for BSW excited by 2D square grating. (a) Interference fringe in illumination plane away 20 nm from the topmost layer of the multilayer. (b) Interference intensity (|E|2/|E0|2) profiles with the phase difference of 0, 2π /3 and 4π /3
Summary
Bound by the optical diffraction limit, the conventional optical microscopy just achieves the limited spatial resolution of around 250 nm in lateral for visible light. The imaging speed is limited and SMLM is mainly adopted to fixed cells and specimens In parallel with these advancements, structured illumination microscopy (SIM) [5]–[7] has evolved into one of the most powerful and practical optical super-resolution imaging approaches, mainly because of it’s high spatial/temporal resolution, low phototoxicity/photobleaching, as well as better bio-compatibility with live cells and specimens [8], [9]. The structured illumination patterns with high spatial frequency are generated by the laser interference, and early SIM just achieves 2-times improvement of imaging resolution than standard optical microscopy. This BSW SIM method would pave a new way for super-resolution fluorescence imaging
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
