Reinforced optical cage systems enable drift-free single-molecule localization microscopy.

ABSTRACT: Single-molecule localization microscopy achieves nanometer-scale resolution but is compromised by sample drift during image acquisition. Here we present reinforced optical cage systems, a novel approach that eliminates drift at its mechanical source rather than correcting it through complex image post-processing or fiducial markers. Reinforced optical cage systems employ perforated optomechanical components interconnected by tungsten-steel rods in a design proven by mechanical stability simulations. Our bench-top microscope, built with reinforced optical cage systems, demonstrated exceptional three-dimensional stability, with mean cumulative lateral drift of approximately 5 nanometers over 2 h in widefield fluorescence microscopy and 11-16 nanometers over 15 min in single-molecule localiza

SUBMITTER: Qiu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12820167 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature