Imaging beyond the diffraction limit — to resolve tiny features in cells, for example — has had to rely on tagging the imaged substance with fluorescent chromophores or other techniques that are much less sensitive, like absorption. The use of stimulated emission (a property, unlike fluorescence, which all molecules can have) is now reported; sensitivity is orders of magnitude higher than for spontaneous emission or absorption contrast, and fluorescence is not used.
- Wei Min
- Sijia Lu
- X. Sunney Xie
