AI revolutionizes microscopy
It takes years of effort for human researchers to find new methods for super-resolution microscopy. A microscope can have a vast array of optical settings, such as where to put mirrors or lenses.
The biological sciences currently employ optical microscopy the most. Super-resolution techniques break the traditional diffraction limit of light at roughly 250 nm and allow one to determine the organization of the smallest functional units of cellular life.
According to the team, as there are so many potential experimental optical configurations, developing novel microscopy techniques has historically depended on human experience, intuition, and imagination. For instance, there are now over 100 million possible combinations for an optical setup with just 10 pieces selected from 5 distinct components, like mirrors, lenses, or beam splitters.