title: Hyperspectral darkfield microscopy of single hollow gold nanoparticles for biomedical applications.
abstract: Hyperspectral microscopy is a versatile method for simultaneous spatial and spectroscopic characterization of nonfluorescent samples. Here we present a hyperspectral darkfield imaging system for spectral imaging of single nanoparticles over an area of 150 × 150 μm(2) and at illumination intensities compatible with live cell imaging. The capabilities of the system are demonstrated using correlated transmission electron microscopy and single-particle optical studies of colloidal hollow gold nanoparticles. The potential of the system for characterizing the interactions between nanoparticles and cells has also been demonstrated. In this case, the spectral information proves a useful improvement to standard darkfield imaging as it enables differentiation between light scattered from nanoparticles and light scattered from other sources in the cellular environment. The combination of low illumination power and fast integration times makes the system highly suitable for nanoparticle tracking and spectroscopy in live-cell experiments.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Life Sciences and Faculty of Physical and Applied Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fairbairn
authors.forename: Agathi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christofidou
authors.forename: Antonios G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kanaras
authors.forename: Tracey A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: Otto L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Muskens
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D006046:Gold