Interferometric Scattering Microscopy

Definition, Use, Limitations

Interferometric scattering microscopy (iSCAT) is an optical microscopy technique that uses interference of light to detect and image nano-objects based on their intrinsic light scattering. iSCAT provides high sensitivity, label-free detection of nanoparticles and biomolecules down to the single-molecule level. It works by interfering the light scattered from a sample with a reference beam, allowing even weak scattering signals to be detected above background.

iSCAT can be used to image a variety of nanoparticles and biomolecules, including proteins, viruses, and nucleic acids. It provides information about the sample's mass, size, and dynamics. iSCAT has several advantages over other microscopy techniques, including its simplicity, high throughput, and ability to image in liquid and live-cell environments.

References:

Young & Kukura (2019) "Interferometric Scattering Microscopy" Annual review of physical chemistry (2019) doi:10.1146/annurev-physchem-050317-021247 publication type: research support, non-u.s. gov't, article, topics: physics used: Defines fundamentals of iSCAT

Taylor & Sandoghdar (2019) "Interferometric Scattering Microscopy: Seeing Single Nanoparticles and Molecules via Rayleigh Scattering" Nano letters (2019) doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b01822 publication type: research support, non-u.s. gov't, article, topics: scattering, optics, medicine used: Further explains iSCAT

Arroyo et al. (2014) "Label-Free, All-Optical Detection, Imaging, and Tracking of a Single Protein" Nano letters (2014) doi:10.1021/nl500234t publication type: article, research support, non-u.s. gov't, research support, n.i.h., intramural, research support, n.i.h., extramural, topics: nanotechnology, microscopy, interference, materials science, optics, myosin subfragments, optical imaging used: Defines fundamentals of iSCAT

Taylor & Sandoghdar (2019) "Interferometric Scattering (iSCAT) Microscopy and Related Techniques" (2019) doi:10.1007/978-3-030-21722-8_2 publication type: book, topics: optics, interferometry, microscopy used: Provides additional details on iSCAT applications

 

Go here for more information about Nanopartz Gold Nanoparticle Analysis Methods.