STED (Stimulated Emission Depletion)

STED (Stimulated Emission Depletion) is a microscopy technique that allows scientists to see structures at a very tiny scale, much smaller than what traditional microscopes can resolve. It works by using two laser beams: one to excite fluorescent molecules and another, shaped like a doughnut, to selectively switch off (deplete) most of the fluorescence around the targeted spot. This effectively narrows down the area from which light emits, creating images with exceptionally high resolution. As a result, STED enables detailed visualization of cellular components and molecules, advancing our understanding of biological processes at the nanoscale.