Spatial resolutions in optical microscopy I have read that different optical imaging techniques such as such as wide-field microscopy, confocal microscopy or STED microscopy can theoretically achieve a different spatial resolution. However, I was only able to find information about the STED microscopy's spatial resolution (5.8 nm) on Wikipedia. Does anybody know of any references or recommended reading (preferably free) where I can learn more about different optical microscopy methods and how the cope with the diffraction limit?

The theoretical resolution for an optical microscope depends on the wavelength used, but is close to 0.22 um (220 nm). Confocal microscopy does not greatly improve axial resolution; it dramatically improves the in-plane resolution (x and y directions, by excluding extraneous light). Theres not a lot to do to "cope" with that using those techniques. If you need more resolution, you can use the super-resolution techniques you mention, or the good old TEM.

There is some more information on the Nikon website: <

and on Olympus website: <