Products

Superresolution & Confocal Systems

  • Overview
  • MINFLUX
  • MIRAVA POLYSCOPE
  • INFINITY
  • FACILITY
  • STEDYCON
  • Software Overview
  • LiGHTBOX
  • STEDYCON smart control
  • iMSPECTOR

Superresolution & Confocal Modules

  • Overview
  • MINFLUX Module
  • MATRIX Detector
  • TIMEBOW Imaging
  • FLEXPOSURE Illumination
  • RAYSHAPE Mirror
  • TRUESHARP Deconvolution
  • EASY3D
  • RAINBOW Detection
  • STED Lasers
  • Autoalignment
  • Autofocus
  • Excitation Lasers
  • Accessories
  • Custom Solutions

Dyes & Labels

  • Overview
  • abberior STAR
  • abberior LIVE
  • abberior FLUX
  • abberior CAGE
  • abberior Supplies

Shop

  • Dyes by Product Name
  • Dyes by Technique
  • Dyes by Label
  • Mounting Medium
  • Cells and Nanoparticles

Applications

  • Overview
  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Live Cell Imaging
  • Material Science
  • Membrane biology
  • Microbiology
  • Neurobiology
  • Physiology
  • Plant Science
  • Virology
  • Zoology

Company

  • People
  • Founders
  • Mission
  • Career
  • Vacancies
  • Locations

News & Events

  • News
  • Events
  • Webinars
  • Past Events

Expertise

  • Knowledge Base
  • FAQ Videos
  • FAQ
  • Publications
  • White Papers
  • Sample Gallery
  • Microscopy Tutorials
  • Webinar Recordings
  • Protocols
  • Support
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Search
  • EN
    中文
    Language
@abberior.rocks
MENU Contact
MIRAVA POLYSCOPE – All in one and on for all: the perfect image
Science beyond Barriers

abberior instruments

2017
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Strong signal increase in STED fluorescence microscopy by imaging regions of subdiffraction extent

Authors:

Göttfert, F., Pleiner, T., Heine, J., Westphal, V., Görlich, D., Sahl, S. J., & Hell, S. W.

Keywords:

fluorescence nanoscopy, STED microscopy, photobleaching, superresolution

Abstract:

Photobleaching remains a limiting factor in superresolution fluorescence microscopy. This is particularly true for stimulated emission depletion (STED) and reversible saturable/switchable optical fluorescence transitions (RESOLFT) microscopy, where adjacent fluorescent molecules are distinguished by sequentially turning them off (or on) using a pattern of light formed as a doughnut or a standing wave. In sample regions where the pattern intensity reaches or exceeds a certain threshold, the molecules are essentially off (or on), whereas in areas where the intensity is lower, that is, around the intensity minima, the molecules remain in the initial state. Unfortunately, the creation of on/off state differences on subdiffraction scales requires the maxima of the intensity pattern to exceed the threshold intensity by a large factor that scales with the resolution. Hence, when recording an image by scanning the pattern across the sample, each molecule in the sample is repeatedly exposed to the maxima, which exacerbates bleaching. Here, we introduce MINFIELD, a strategy for fundamentally reducing bleaching in STED/RESOLFT nanoscopy through restricting the scanning to subdiffraction-sized regions. By safeguarding the molecules from the intensity of the maxima and exposing them only to the lower intensities (around the minima) needed for the off-switching (on-switching), MINFIELD largely avoids detrimental transitions to higher molecular states. A bleaching reduction by up to 100-fold is demonstrated. Recording nanobody-labeled nuclear pore complexes in Xenopus laevis cells showed that MINFIELD-STED microscopy resolved details separated by <25 nm where conventional scanning failed to acquire sufficient signal.

< Back to publications
Full article >
linkedin facebook bluesky twitter Instagram

World+49 551 9995 4010USA+1 301 661 0078

© 2025 abberior

Superresolution & Confocal Systems

  • Overview
  • MINFLUX
  • MIRAVA POLYSCOPE
  • INFINITY
  • FACILITY
  • STEDYCON
  • Software Overview
  • LiGHTBOX
  • STEDYCON smart control
  • iMSPECTOR

Superresolution & Confocal Modules

  • Overview
  • MINFLUX Module
  • MATRIX Detector
  • TIMEBOW Imaging
  • FLEXPOSURE Illumination
  • RAYSHAPE Mirror
  • TRUESHARP Deconvolution
  • EASY3D
  • RAINBOW Detection
  • STED Lasers
  • Autoalignment
  • Autofocus
  • Excitation Lasers
  • Accessories
  • Custom Solutions

Dyes & Labels

  • Overview
  • abberior STAR
  • abberior LIVE
  • abberior FLUX
  • abberior CAGE
  • abberior Supplies

Shop

  • Dyes by Product Name
  • Dyes by Technique
  • Dyes by Label
  • Mounting Medium
  • Cells and Nanoparticles

Applications

  • Overview
  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Live Cell Imaging
  • Material Science
  • Membrane biology
  • Microbiology
  • Neurobiology
  • Physiology
  • Plant Science
  • Virology
  • Zoology

Company

  • People
  • Founders
  • Mission
  • Career
  • Vacancies
  • Locations

News & Events

  • News
  • Events
  • Webinars
  • Past Events

Expertise

  • Knowledge Base
  • FAQ Videos
  • FAQ
  • Publications
  • White Papers
  • Sample Gallery
  • Microscopy Tutorials
  • Webinar Recordings
  • Protocols
abberior instruments GmbH:
  • Imprint
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Sale
abberior GmbH:
  • Imprint
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Sale
Abberior Instruments America LLC:
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use USA
  • contact
  • manuals
  • service
  • shop