acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION OPTICAL MICROSCOPY

Vitaly J. Vodyanoy, Department of Anatomy, Physiology &

Pharmacology, Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL

INTRODUCTION

Auburn University has designed and developed a high resolution optical microscope. This microscope provides real time, direct-view, optical images of high resolution. Samples needed no freezing, dehydration, staining, shadowing, marking, or any other manipulation; they could be observed in the natural aqueous environment. The microscope has resolving power greater than 100 nm and detection limit smaller than 60 nm. The microscope is capable of achieving greater than 7,500´ magnification. The system has a capability to show simultaneously high resolution no-label and fluorescence images.

This state-of-the art microscope is particularly applicable to living biological systems where cellular structure and functions can be depicted in real time. Sample preparation techniques such as freezing, dehydration, staining and metal deposition are avoided. The microscope can be adapted to use reflected light, which can be used for opaque objects to obtain high-resolution images of surfaces.

The first generation of microscope system, CytoViva¹⁵⁰ , uses metal halide illumination [1] and a 100´ objective (oil, NA1.4) (Vainrub, Pustovyy, and Vodyanoy 2006). The images are directed to a video camera interfaced with a computer. The next generation of the microscope with a targeted resolution of 300 Angstroms will allow achieving greater than 15,000´ magnification will additionally use a laser, a laser head acousto-optic tunable filter, and AT AOTF controller.

ADVANTAGES: The high-resolution microscope has a distinct advantage over other high-resolution microscopes in that living cells can be observed directly in real time with sample fixation.

APPLICATIONS:

Biomedical research

Medical clinics

Microbiological research

Biotechnology industry

Nanotechnology/nanofabrication

Pharmaceutical industry

Specific aims:

1. Prototype of AOTF illumination system for the versatile computer control illumination of microscope systems.

2. High resolution microscope system

References

Vainrub, A., O. Pustovyy, and V. Vodyanoy. 2006. Resolution of 90 nm (lambda/5) in an optical transmission microscope with an annular condenser. Opt Lett. 31:2855-2857.