Nanoscale-resolution optical microscopy

Optical microscopy, which originated in the 17th century, for two hundred years faced a major limitation due to optical diffraction. However, the 21st century has witnessed a remarkable revolution in microscopic imaging with the introduction of diverse super-resolution techniques designed to surpass this diffraction barrier. Among these, nanoscale resolution optical imaging methods, particularly those centered on single-molecule localization, have consistently achieved groundbreaking results, pushing the boundaries of resolution close to the molecular scale. In this article we provide an overview of the evolution of optical microscopy, delve into the fundamental principles of various super-resolution imaging techniques, and highlight the promising nanoscale resolution microscopy approaches and their potential applications.