Fast two-dimensional standing-wave total-internal-reflection fluorescence microscopy using acousto-optic deflectors

We report a scheme for 2D standing-wave total-internal-reflection fluorescence microscopy. Standing-wave patterns are generated by two interfering beams coupled through the objective lens. Period, angular orientation, and phase of standing waves are controlled entirely by acousto-optic deflectors. The lateral resolution improvement of 100 nm is combined with an axial selectivity of <100 nm. by utilizing an evanescent standing-wave pattern. This technique can provide real-time imaging of subresolution structures in live biological specimens near a glass-water interface. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America