Wide-Field Multispectral Super-Resolution Imaging Using Spin-Dependent Fluorescence in Nanodiamonds

Recent advances in fluorescence microscopy have enabled spatial resolution below the diffraction limit by localizing multiple temporally or spectrally distinguishable fluorophores. Here, we introduce a super-resolution technique that deterministically controls the brightness of uniquely addressable, photostable emitters. We modulate the fluorescence brightness of negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (NV-) centers in nanodiamonds through magnetic resonance techniques. Using a CCD camera, this deterministic emitter switch microscopy (DESM) technique enables super-resolution imaging with localization down to 12 nm across a 35 x 35 mu m(2) area. DESM is particularly well suited for biological applications such as multispectral particle tracking since fluorescent nanodiamonds are not only cytocompatible but also nonbleaching and bright. We observe fluorescence count rates exceeding 1.5 x 10(6) photons per second from single NV- centers at saturation. When combined with emerging NV--based techniques for sensing magnetic and electric fields, DESM opens the door to rapid, super-resolution imaging for tracking and sensing applications in the life and physical sciences.