Liquid Imaging Photon Scanning Tunneling Microscope

This proposal will develop of a new type of optical microscope, specifically designed to imagebiological materials, by utilizing the very recent technology referred to as photon scanning tunnelingmicroscopy (PSTM). This new microscope will provide three-dimensional topographical images ofbiological and medical samples in liquid environments with a resolution an order of magnitude better thanthat possible with the best conventional optical microscopes. It will make possible the examination ofliving organisms in buffered solutions with a resolution approaching that of scanning electronmicroscopes without the elaborate sample preparation techniques required by electron microscopy. Theproposed instrument will be designed to allow rapid examination of conventionally prepared biologicalsamples on standard microscope slides. Furthermore, the new microscope would possess the inherentspectroscopic capabilities of chemical mapping of the sample with sub-wavelength resolution. DuringPhase I of this project we will design and construct a PSTM head which can be mounted on the rotatingturret of a conventional microscope and will be able to operate in a liquid environment. We willdemonstrate that this instrument can operate reliably with excellent signal to noise characteristics whileimaging biologically important samples. During Phase II we will design and construct a cost effectiveworking PSTM prototype with the reliability and ease of use such as to make it suitable for commercialproduction. Phase III involves commercialization of this patented technology through fabrication,marketing and sales of various stand-alone instruments based on this technology.