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Fluorescence imaging ; Superresolution ; Nanoscopy ; Molecular states : Diffraction-unlimited resolution ; Far-field optics ; Neuroscience ; Cell biology ; Stimulated emission ; Switchable proteins
Abstract:
This chapter discusses the simple yet powerful ideas which have allowed to break the diffraction resolution limit of lens-based optical microscopy. The basic principles and standard implementations of STED (stimulated emission depletion) and RESOLFT (reversible saturable/switchable optical linear (fluorescence) transitions) microscopy are introduced, followed by selected highlights of recent advances, including MINFLUX (minimal photon fluxes) nanoscopy with molecule-size (~1 nm) resolution.