Nanostructure Assembly Substrate for Super-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical microscopy techniques face limitations in resolving objects smaller than 200-300 nm due to optical aberration and Abbe diffraction limits, and electron microscopy requires sample pretreatment, making it difficult to observe living cellular substances. Additionally, existing fluorescent microscopy methods have resolution constraints and are inconvenient for replacing metal nanostructures.
Innovation Solution
A substrate unit of a nanostructure assembly type with a lower substrate and an upper substrate, where metal nanostructures can be assembled or separated, and a position controller to control the relative position between the substrates, allowing for the formation and control of local electric fields for enhanced imaging without direct contact between the observation object and the metal nanostructures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If metal nanostructures are used to generate local electric field for super-resolution imaging, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for assembly and separation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is divided into separate components: an upper substrate for holding observation objects and a lower substrate for holding metal nanostructures. These can be independently manufactured and then assembled together, allowing complex functionality to be achieved through modular design rather than a single integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal nanostructures are extracted from the imaging system proper and placed on a separate lower substrate. This allows the nanostructures to be pre-positioned and optimized for their electromagnetic function without complicating the overall imaging apparatus design, as they can be assembled as a distinct module.
2Manufacturing precision
If metal nanostructures are fixed on the substrate, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to replace or reposition nanostructures
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from fixed, permanent mounting of metal nanostructures to a dynamic, reconfigurable arrangement. The lower substrate with metal nanostructures can be assembled with and separated from the upper substrate, enabling the nanostructures to be repositioned or replaced as needed while maintaining precise positioning during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal nanostructures can be discarded from the upper substrate after use and recovered on the lower substrate for storage or reconfiguration. This allows repeated use of the same high-precision nanostructures with different observation objects without requiring complex permanent mounting mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If observation objects are placed directly on metal nanostructures, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to direct contact effects
Solution Approach 1:
The upper substrate acts as an intermediary between the observation objects and the metal nanostructures. Objects are placed on the upper substrate which is then assembled with the lower substrate containing the nanostructures. This mediator layer allows the objects to be positioned easily while preventing direct contact with the nanostructures, avoiding harmful contact effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables controlled positioning of local electric fields for improved imaging across entire regions of the observation object, reducing the need for frequent nanostructure replacement and allowing for the use of various metal nanostructures based on observation requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a phenomenon that an electric field (a local electric field) is locally greatly increased as electromagnetic waves to a near infrared band from visible light and the plasmon are combined is called a plasmonic phenomenon
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a substrate unit of a nanostructure assembly type, an optical image apparatus including the same, and a controlling method thereof, and the substrate unit of the nanostructure assembly type according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a lower substrate; an upper substrate separated from the lower substrate, an observation object being able to be positioned at the upper substrate; and at least one metal nanostructure positioned on the lower substrate, wherein the at least one metal nanostructure is capable of being assembled on the lower substrate or separated from the lower substrate.