Light microscopy for nanoscale quantum thermometry

• Subject Area: Biophysics ; Experimental Condensed Matter Physics ; Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 491245864

Nanoscale measurements of temperature is crucial for understanding thermodynamics of living cells. Temperature, which is one of the most important parameters governing biochemical reactions, is usually defined for large (macroscopic) ensembles of molecules. However, approaching very small length scales, fluctuations start dominate average quantities, like temperature. Hence the use of temperature as macroscopic equilibrium thermodynamic parameter in nanoscopic intracellular compartments requires experimental and theoretical clarification. Further on important quantities like heat conductivity at nanoscale may be different from their bulk values. Yet, methods to measure temperature on the nanoscale are at early development stage. Our main goal is to establish microscopy technique able to unravel phenomena induced by ultra-local temperature gradients associated with laser heating and laser cooling. This will allow to access nanoscale heat transfer impact on the dynamics of cellular metabolism and signalling. This approach will be based on a combination of quantum sensing enabled by colour centres in diamond and advanced optical microscopy including super resolution microscopy.

• DFG Programme: Major Instrumentation Initiatives
• Major Instrumentation: Microwave Source ; Zeiss Microscope
• Instrumentation Group: 5040 Spezielle Mikroskope (außer 500-503) ; 6040 Frequenz-Umformer (statisch) und Hochfrequenzgeneratoren
• Applicant Institution: Universität Ulm
• Leader: Professor Dr. Fedor Jelezko