Nanometre-scale thermometry in a living cell

作者：Kucsko, G.; Maurer, P. C.; Yao, N. Y.; Kubo, M.; Noh, H. J.; Lo, P. K.; Park, H.^*; Lukin, M. D.

来源：Nature, 2013, 500(7460): 54-U71.

DOI：10.1038/nature12373

• TEMPERATURE
• CANCER
• THERMOGENESIS
• FLUORESCENCE
• TISSUE
• SPACE
• SPINS
• TIME

Sensitive probing of temperature variations on nanometre scales is an outstanding challenge in many areas of modern science and technology(1). In particular, a thermometer capable of subdegree temperature resolution over a large range of temperatures as well as integration within a living system could provide a powerful new tool in many areas of biological, physical and chemical research. Possibilities range from the temperature-induced control of gene and tumour metabolism(6) to the cell-selective treatment of disease(7,8) and the study of heat dissipation in integrated circuits(1). By combining local light-induced heat sources with sensitive nanoscale thermometry, it may also be possible to engineer biological processes at the subcellular level(2-5). Here we demonstrate a new approach to nanoscale thermometry that uses coherent manipulation of the electronic spin associated with nitrogen-vacancy colour centres in diamond. Our technique makes it possible to detect temperature variations as small as 1.8 mK (a sensitivity of 9 mK Hz(-1/2)) in an ultrapure bulk diamond sample. Using nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond nanocrystals (nanodiamonds), we directly measure the local thermal environment on length scales as short as 200 nanometres. Finally, by introducing both nanodiamonds and gold nanoparticles into a single human embryonic fibroblast, we demonstrate temperature-gradient control and mapping at the subcellular level, enabling unique potential applications in life sciences.

• 出版日期2013-8-1