Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Fakultät für Physik

Highly sensitive absorption microscope for the life sciences

We developed a new microscope, based on technologies originally used in the field of quantum optics, that can detect smallest objects or biomolecules without fluorescent markers. Instead of an objective lens as in conventional microscopes, we use an optical microresonator where light can circulate up to 100,000 times and thus be absorbed by smallest particles. Our novel microscope outperforms previous devices in terms of sensitivity and speed, while being gentle to samples. It enables imaging and spectroscopic analysis of ultra-thin tissue sections, as well as the characterization and detection of virus and subcellular structures such as proteins and organelles, providing valuable insights on clinical diagnostics. This microscope can open up new possibilities in pathology, as well as in pharmacy, virology, chemistry, biology.