Three-dimensional single particle tracking using 4π self-interference of temporally phase-shifted fluorescence

Abstract

AbstractSingle particle tracking in three dimensions is an indispensable tool for studying dynamic processes in various disciplines, including material sciences, physics, and biology, but often shows anisotropic three-dimensional spatial localization precision, which restricts the tracking precision, and/or a limited number of particles that can be tracked simultaneously over extended volumes. Here we developed an interferometric, three-dimensional fluorescence single particle tracking method based on conventional widefield excitation and temporal phase-shift interference of the emitted, high-aperture-angle, fluorescence wavefronts in a greatly simplified, free-running, triangle interferometer that enables tracking of multiple particles at the same time with <10-nm spatial localization precision in all three dimensions over extended volumes (~35 × 35 × 2 μm3) at video rate (25 Hz). We applied our method to characterize the microenvironment of living cells and up to ~40 μm deep in soft materials.