What is Diffraction limit?
The diffraction limit is the point at which the resolution of an optical instrument, cannot be improved beyond a certain level due to the nature of light waves.
This refers to the instrument's ability to distinguish between two closely spaced objects.
A higher resolution means better distinguishing power.
In the late 19th century, physicist Ernst Karl Abbe formulated a key relationship that defines the maximum resolution based on light wavelength and numerical aperture (N):
Due to the diffraction limit, traditional light microscopes can see cells but not smaller structures like proteins or viruses.
In the 1980s, super-resolution microscopy techniques were developed, allowing scientists to see inside cells and even down to the level of atoms.
Super-resolution microscopy, uses special glowing molecules (fluorophores) to surpass the diffraction limit, allowing visualization of much smaller structures.
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