NanoVidere - Photochromic Layers for Nanoscopy

本项目旨在开发一种基于高分辨率远场荧光显微镜(如受激发射耗尽显微镜(STED))的新显微技术，以实现对纳米级表面的光学检测。为了提高分辨率，表面将覆盖光致变色层(吸光度调制层；AML)，通过激活激光的光照射可逆地改变其颜色，以降低透过率。通过激活激光器的甜甜圈模式，为测量激光器形成一个孔，该孔仅能通过甜甜圈中间的透明孔来检测信号。该项目的AML小组(有机化学和物理化学研究所以及Max-Planck生物物理化学研究所，NanoBioptonik系)将在聚合物或有机基质中制备含有1，2-二(噻吩基)乙烯作为光致变色分子的层。这个子项目的目标是识别合适的光致变色分子及其合成以供进一步研究，因为到目前为止还没有报道的光致变色分子满足在纳米技术中应用的特定要求。制备吸光度调制层的适宜性将I.A.由耐疲劳性、辐射波长、可逆开关过程的量子效率、透明度和基质中的结晶阻力决定。在与我们的项目合作伙伴合作进行合成、表征和评估后，将交付适用于纳米显微镜应用的光致变色材料。

This project aims to develop a new microscopy technique basing on high-resolution far field fluorescence microscopy such as the stimulated emission depletion microscopy (STED) to optically examine surfaces with nanoscale resolution. To improve the resolution the surfaces will be covered by photochromic layers (absorbance modulation layers; AML) which reversibly change their color by photoirradiation by an activating laser to decrease the transmittance. By means of a doughnut mode of the activating laser, an aperture is formed for the measuring laser, which can solely detect signals through the transparent hole in the middle of the doughnut. The AML group of the project (Institutes of Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry as well the Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department NanoBiophotonik) will prepare layers containing 1,2-bis(thienyl)ethenes as photochromic molecules in a polymeric or an organic matrix. The objective of this subproject is the identification of suitable photochromic molecules and their synthesis for further investigations, as no photochromic molecule reported so far fulfills the specific requirements for application in nanoscopy. The suitability to prepare absorbance modulation layers will i.a. be determined by the fatigue resistencies, irradiation wavelengths, quantum efficiencies for the reversible switching processes, transparencies, and resistance towards crystallization in the matrix. After the syntheses, characterizations, and evaluations in collaboration with our project partners, suitable photochromes will be delivered for application in nanoscopy.