Hybrid near-field scanning optical microscopy tips for live cell measurements

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Abstract
We report a near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) probe that enables high-resolution imaging of living cells under physiological buffered conditions. The hybrid design combines a conventional fiber optic near-field probe with a standard atomic force microscopy cantilever. Imaging of fluorescent latex spheres suspended in an acetate matrix demonstrates the subdiffraction limited fluorescence and topography capabilities of the tips. The reduced spring constant of the hybrid tip is also shown to be amenable to measurements on living cells. NSOM fluorescence and topography measurements on living human arterial smooth muscle cells under buffered conditions are demonstrated.