Huygens STED optical Option
STED images can be deconvolved with Huygens with truly stunning results.
The unique feature of the STED microscope is that it does not have a bandwidth limit, i.e. a barrier beyond which object details are not imaged. While other super resolution systems are still hampered by this wavelength dependent limit, a STED microscope moves happily beyond it.
The Z-resolution which is a very important part of biological research is relatively less. By applying the Huygens STED deconvolution option you will get a huge increase in contrast and Z resolution.
At this moment, Leica Microsystems is the only manufacturer of commercially available STED microscopes.
As always, Huygens deconvolution reduces noise and blurring, and takes depth-dependent spherical aberration correction into account. More information on how to deconvolve STED images in Huygens can be found on STED deconvolution.
Single XY plane of STED data before (left) and after deconvolution (right) of the complete z-stack with Huygens. Structure (240 nm ring diameter) was stained with primary and secondary antibody conjugated to Alexa488. Data used by permission from Dr. Grazvydas Lukinavicius, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
Axial MIP projection of the complete STED z-stack, before (left) and after deconvolution with Huygens (right). Data used by permission from Dr. Grazvydas Lukinavicius, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
