Learn about the 9 most common types of super-resolution imaging techniques used to obtain images at resolutions beyond the diffraction limit.

7 Most Common Types of Super-Resolution Imaging Techniques

Super-resolution imaging techniques are a class of methods that allow images to be obtained at resolutions beyond the diffraction limit. These techniques have revolutionized the field of microscopy and have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of biological processes. In this article, we will discuss the 7 most common types of super-resolution imaging techniques.

1. Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Microscopy

STED microscopy is a type of fluorescence microscopy that uses a focused laser beam to excite fluorescent molecules in a sample. A second laser beam, with a higher energy level, is used to de-excite the molecules in the periphery of the excitation beam. This allows for sharper imaging of structures at a resolution of up to 20 nm.

2. Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM)

SIM is a type of widefield microscopy that uses a patterned illumination to capture images of a sample. The patterned illumination is then used to reconstruct a higher resolution image. SIM can achieve a resolution of up to 100 nm, making it a popular choice for imaging biological structures such as cells and tissues.

3. Photoactivated Localization Microscopy (PALM)

PALM is a type of single-molecule microscopy that uses photoactivation to activate and image individual fluorescent molecules in a sample. By imaging and localizing each molecule separately, a higher resolution image can be reconstructed. PALM can achieve a resolution of up to 20 nm.

4. Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM)

STORM is a type of single-molecule microscopy that uses photoactivation to activate and image individual fluorescent molecules in a sample. Similar to PALM, STORM images each molecule separately to reconstruct a higher resolution image. STORM can achieve a resolution of up to 20 nm.

5. 4Pi Microscopy

4Pi microscopy is a type of confocal microscopy that uses two opposing objective lenses to create a 3D image of a sample. By using two objective lenses, 4Pi microscopy can achieve a resolution of up to 100 nm.

6. Localization Microscopy (LM)

LM is a type of single-molecule microscopy that uses photoactivation to activate and image individual fluorescent molecules in a sample. By imaging and localizing each