Method of exciting molecules out of a first state into a second states using an optical signal
US7224452B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 29, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B21/16
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a fluorescence-microscopic method of examining a sample with high spatial resolution, the sample is first cooled to a temperature of below 5° C.; next the cooled sample is transferred out of a ground state into a fluorescent state within an area captured by a detector using an excitation beam of light; next the cooled sample is subject to de-excitation of excited molecules by stimulated emission in the area captured by the detector, except at desired measuring points, using an de-exciting beam of light, the de-exciting beam of light having a spatial intensity distribution comprising a zero point located at the desired measuring points, and the excited sample being transferred back into its ground state by the de-exciting beam of light; and then fluorescence light spontaneously emitted by the cooled sample is measured with the detector, the detector detecting fluorescence light that is emitted only from the measuring points.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.