Waveguide evanescent field microscopies for application in cell- and bacteria-biophysics

Two evanescent field microscopy technologies based on glass slab waveguides with permanent coupling gratings are presented: waveguide evanescent field fluorescence microscopy (WEFF) and waveguide evanescent field scattering microscopy (WEFS). The technologies are briefly described: the experimental setup is based on a conventional inverted microscope. A comparison to TIR and TIRF microscopy is given. The advantages of the waveguide method are clearly addressed. Various examples from for WEFF and WEFS microscopy are given. For WEFF: static distance mapping with a multimode waveguide, dynamic solubilisation studies of cell plasma membranes and the kinetic response of osteoblasts to trypsin. For WEFS: bacteria sterilization as well as cell adhesion and granularity studies. The latest development is a mass producible all-polymer-waveguide-chip to bring the technology to the interested scientific community.