Analysis of STED Doughnuts generated by a Spatial Light Modulator

Abstract

This paper summarizes the research done for a master thesis at the Molecular Biophysics group, part the of the Physics Department of Utrecht University. Using a custom microscope set- up, we have researched the effects of polarization on the shape of Stimulated Emission-Depletion doughnuts in a high NA objective, simulating an actual STED environment. Additionally, rather than a vortex phase plate, we have used a Spatial Light Modulator to generate the doughnuts. The results are compared to theoretical predictions resulting from simulations.