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arXiv:1402.1867 · Nature Nanotechnology

Real-time single-molecule imaging of quantum interference

Thomas Juffmann, Adriana Milic, Michael Müllneritsch, Peter Asenbaum, A. Tsukernik, Jens Tüxen, Marcel Mayor, Ori Cheshnovsky, Markus Arndt

Published Mar 25, 2012• 186 citations
arXivHTMLPDF
DOI
10.1038/nnano.2012.34

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ObjectiveCellular temperature imaging can assist scientists in studying and comprehending the temperature distribution within cells, revealing critical information about cellular metabolism and biochemical processes. Currently, cell temperature imaging techniques based on fluorescent temperature probes suffer from limitations such as low temperature resolution and a limited measurement range. This paper aims to develop a single-cell temperature imaging and real-time monitoring technique by leveraging the temperature-dependent properties of single-molecule quantum coherence processes.MethodsUsing femtosecond pulse lasers, we prepare delayed and phase-adjustable pairs of femtosecond pulses. These modulated pulse pairs excite fluorescent single molecules labeled within cells through a microscopic system, followed by the collection and recording of the arrival time of each fluorescent photon. By defining the quantum coherence visibility (V) of single molecules in relation to the surrounding environmental temperature, a correspondence between V and environmental temperature is established. By modulating and demodulating the arrival times of fluorescent photons, we obtain the local temperature of single molecules. Combined with scanning imaging, we finally achieve temperature imaging and real-time detection of cells.ResultsThis method achieves high precision (temperature resolution <0.1°C) and a wide temperature range (10-50°C) for temperature imaging and measurement, and it enables the observation of temperature changes related to individual cell metabolism.ConclusionThis research contributes to a deeper understanding of cellular metabolism, protein function, and disease mechanisms, providing a valuable tool for biomedical research.

•May 1, 2024•0 citations
In fluorescence imaging and detection, undesired fluorescence interference (such as autofluorescence) often hampers the contrast of the image and even prevents the identification of structures of interest. Here, we develop a quantum coherent modulation-enhanced (QCME) single-molecule imaging microscopy (SMIM) to substantially eliminate the strong fluorescence interference, based on manipulation of the excited-state population probability of a single molecule. By periodically modulating the phase difference between the ultrashort pulse pairs and performing a discrete Fourier transform of the arrival time of emitted photons, the decimation of single molecules from strong interference in QCME-SMIM has been clearly determined, where the signal-to-interference ratio is enhanced by more than 2 orders of magnitude. This technique, confirmed to be universal to organic dyes and linked with biomacromolecules, paves the way to high-contrast bioimaging under unfavorable conditions.
ObjectiveCellular temperature imaging can assist scientists in studying and comprehending the temperature distribution within cells, revealing critical information about cellular metabolism and biochemical processes. Currently, cell temperature imaging techniques based on fluorescent temperature probes suffer from limitations such as low temperature resolution and a limited measurement range. This paper aims to develop a single-cell temperature imaging and real-time monitoring technique by leveraging the temperature-dependent properties of single-molecule quantum coherence processes.MethodsUsing femtosecond pulse lasers, we prepare delayed and phase-adjustable pairs of femtosecond pulses. These modulated pulse pairs excite fluorescent single molecules labeled within cells through a microscopic system, followed by the collection and recording of the arrival time of each fluorescent photon. By defining the quantum coherence visibility (V) of single molecules in relation to the surrounding environmental temperature, a correspondence between V and environmental temperature is established. By modulating and demodulating the arrival times of fluorescent photons, we obtain the local temperature of single molecules. Combined with scanning imaging, we finally achieve temperature imaging and real-time detection of cells.ResultsThis method achieves high precision (temperature resolution <0.1°C) and a wide temperature range (10-50°C) for temperature imaging and measurement, and it enables the observation of temperature changes related to individual cell metabolism.ConclusionThis research contributes to a deeper understanding of cellular metabolism, protein function, and disease mechanisms, providing a valuable tool for biomedical research.