Institut Langevin - Ondes et Images : Biophotonics

Our group is interested in the development of far-field optical techniques for the detection of biomolecules and nanoscale pollutants, as well as for the sub-wavelength imaging of cellular environments. In particular, we develop new approaches to super-resolution microscopy, plasmon-based optical biosensors and interferometric microscopy to detect viruses and image biological tissue. Furthermore, we investigate bioinspired self-assembly strategies for high-scale and low-cost nanofabrication techniques in photonics. For more information :
– Optical Antennas
– Super-Resolution Microscopy
– Full-field Optical Coherence Tomography

Recent publications

Full control of electric and magnetic light-matter interactions through a nanomirror on a near-field tip Reynier, B., E. Charron, O. Markovic, X. Yang, B. Gallas, A. Ferrier, S. Bidault, and M. Mivelle Optica 10, no. 7, 841-845 (2023) Résumé: Light-matter interactions are often considered governed by the electric optical field only, leaving aside the magnetic component of light. However, the magnetic part plays a determining role in many optical processes, from light and chiral-matter interactions and photon-avalanching to forbidden photochemistry, making the manipulation of magnetic processes extremely relevant. Here, by creating a standing wave using a metallic nanomirror, we manipulate the spatial distributions of electric and magnetic fields and their associated local densities of states, allowing selective control of the excitation and emission of electric and magnetic dipolar transitions. This control allows us to image, in 3D, the electric and magnetic nodes and anti-nodes of the fields' interference patterns. It also enables us to enhance specifically photoluminescence from quantum emitters excited only by the magnetic field, and to manipulate their spontaneous emission by acting on the excitation fields solely, demonstrating full control of magnetic and electric light-matter interactions.
Dimers of Plasmonic Nanocubes to Reach Single-Molecule Strong Coupling with High Emission Yields Heintz, J., F. Legittimo, and S. Bidault The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 13, no. 51, 11996-12003 (2022) Résumé: Reaching reproducible strong coupling between a quantum emitter and a plasmonic resonator at room temperature, while maintaining high emission yields, would make quantum information processing with light possible outside of cryogenic conditions. We theoretically propose to exploit the high local curvatures at the tips of plasmonic nanocubes to reach Purcell factors of >106 at visible frequencies, rendering single-molecule strong coupling more easily accessible than with the faceted spherical nanoparticles used in recent experimental demonstrations. In the case of gold nanocube dimers, we highlight a trade-off between coupling strength and emission yield that depends on the nanocube size. Electrodynamic simulations on silver nanostructures are performed using a realistic dielectric constant, as confirmed by scattering spectroscopy performed on single nanocubes. Dimers of silver nanocubes feature Purcell factors similar to those of gold while allowing emission yields of >60%, thus providing design rules for efficient strongly coupled hybrid nanostructures at room temperature.

Dynamic full-field optical coherence tomography of retinal pigment epithelium cell cultures to model degenerative diseases Groux, K., J. Scholler, A. Verschueren, M. Darche, L. Boucherit, P. Mecê, V. Fradot, J.-M. Chassot, M. Fink, S. Reichman, M. Paques, C. Boccara, O. Thouvenin, and K. Grieve Optical Coherence Tomography and Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedicine XXV (2021) Résumé: Dynamic FFOCT allows us to record the intrinsic motion of biological samples in 3D, over hours. We performed scratch assays on primary porcine RPE and human induced pluripotent stem cells derived RPE cell cultures. We plotted motion maps from the optical flow. For wounds <40µm, the cell layer close the wound at different speeds depending on the type of RPE cells. For bigger wounds, the cell layer retract, mimicking degenerative diseases. Comparison between Dynamic FFOCT images and Immuno-chemistry images showed that mitochondria may contribute to the dynamic profile of cells. Dynamic FFOCT can be useful for the study of regenerative medicine.
Non-destructive analysis of paintings by full field mid-IR tomography Boccara, A. C., Y. De Wilde, H. Bourdon, and J.-M. Chassot Photonic Instrumentation Engineering IX (2022) Résumé: We propose to record "en face" Full Field OCT interferometric images of paintings on canvas using a cooled MCT camera working in the range 3-5.5 micrometers coupled to a glowbar broadband source that allows to reach shot noise limited detection. Penetration in various paints is spectacular at these large wavelengths: we measure a mean free path 5 to 10 times larger than at visible/near IR wavelengths. We find that the canvas is easily observed under the paint. This result, obtained without averaging, paves the way to a non-contact, non-destructive, more detailed analysis of paintings than existing IR techniques.

Interface self-referenced dynamic full-field optical coherence tomography Monfort, T., S. Azzollini, T. B. Yacoub, I. Audo, S. Reichman, K. Grieve, and O. Thouvenin Biomedical Optics Express 14, no. 7, 3491-3505 (2023) Résumé: Dynamic full-field optical coherence tomography (D-FFOCT) has recently emerged as an invaluable live label-free and non-invasive imaging modality able to image subcellular biological structures and their metabolic activity within complex 3D samples. However, D-FFOCT suffers from fringe artefacts when imaging near reflective surfaces and is highly sensitive to vibrations. Here, we present interface Self-Referenced (iSR) D-FFOCT, an alternative configuration to D-FFOCT that takes advantage of the presence of the sample coverslip in between the sample and the objective by using it as a defocused reference arm, thus avoiding the aforementioned artefacts. We demonstrate the ability of iSR D-FFOCT to image 2D fibroblast cell cultures, which are among the flattest mammalian cells.
Dynamic optical coherence tomography for cell analysis [Invited] Azzollini, S., T. Monfort, O. Thouvenin, and K. Grieve Biomedical Optics Express 14, no. 7, 3362-3379 (2023) Résumé: Label-free live optical imaging of dynamic cellular and subcellular features has been made possible in recent years thanks to the advances made in optical imaging techniques, including dynamic optical coherence tomography (D-OCT) methods. These techniques analyze the temporal fluctuations of an optical signal associated with the active movements of intracellular organelles to obtain an ensemble metric recapitulating the motility and metabolic state of cells. They hence enable visualization of cells within compact, static environments and evaluate their physiology. These emerging microscopies show promise, in particular for the three-dimensional evaluation of live tissue samples such as freshly excised biopsies and 3D cell cultures. In this review, we compare the various techniques used for dynamic OCT. We give an overview of the range of applications currently being explored and discuss the future outlook and opportunities for the field.

Real-time detection of virus antibody interaction by label-free common-path interferometry Alhaddad, S., H. Bey, O. Thouvenin, P. Boulanger, C. Boccara, M. Boccara, and I. Izeddin Biophysical Reports 3, no. 3, 100119 (2023) Résumé: Viruses have a profound influence on all forms of life, motivating the development of rapid and minimally invasive methods for virus detection. In this study, we present a novel methodology that enables quantitative measurement of the interaction between individual biotic nanoparticles and antibodies in solution. Our approach employs a label-free, full-field common-path interferometric technique to detect and track biotic nanoparticles and their interactions with antibodies. It is based on the interferometric detection of light scattered by viruses in aqueous samples for the detection of individual viruses. We employ single-particle tracking analysis to characterize the size and properties of the detected nanoparticles, and to monitor the changes in their diffusive mobility resulting from interactions. To validate the sensitivity of our detection approach, we distinguish between particles having identical diffusion coefficients but different scattering signals, using DNA-loaded and DNA-devoid capsids of the Escherichia coli T5 virus phage. In addition, we have been able to monitor, in real time, the interaction between the bacteriophage T5 and purified antibodies targeting its major capsid protein pb8, as well as between the phage SPP1 and nonpurified anti-SPP1 antibodies present in rabbit serum. Interestingly, these virus-antibody interactions are observed within minutes. Finally, by estimating the number of viral particles interacting with antibodies at different concentrations, we successfully quantify the dissociation constant Kd of the virus-antibody reaction using single-particle tracking analysis.
Additive Manufacturing of 3D Luminescent ZrO2:Eu3+ Architectures Winczewski, J., M. Herrera, C. Cabriel, I. Izeddin, S. Gabel, B. Merle, A. Susarrey Arce, and H. Gardeniers Advanced Optical Materials, 2102758 (2022) Résumé: Implementation of more refined structures at the nano to microscale is expected to advance applications in optics and photonics. This work presents the additive manufacturing of 3D luminescent microarchitectures emitting light in the visible range. A tailor-made organo-metallic resin suitable for two-photon lithography is developed, which upon thermal treatment in an oxygen-rich atmosphere allows the creation of silicon-free tetragonal (t-) and monoclinic (m-) ZrO2. The approach is unique because the tailor-made Zr-resin is different from what is achieved in other reported approaches based on sol−gel resins. The Zr-resin is compatible with the Eu-rich dopant, a luminescent activator, which enables to tune the optical properties of the ZrO2 structures upon annealing. The emission characteristics of the Eu-doped ZrO2 microstructures are investigated in detail with cathodoluminescence and compared with the intrinsic optical properties of the ZrO2. The hosted Eu has an orange−red emission showcased using fluorescence microscopy. The presented structuring technology provides a new platform for the future development of 3D luminescent devices.

Group Members

Permanent Researchers
– Sébastien BIDAULT
– Claude BOCCARA
– Emmanuel FORT
– Ignacio IZEDDIN

Post-doctoral Researchers
– Daria ANDREOLI
– Egidijus AUKSORIUS
– Charles-Edouard LEROUX
– Nemanja MARKESEVIC
– Thu-Mai NGUYEN

PhD Students
– Clement APELIAN
– Vincent BACOT
– Olivier THOUVENIN
– Peng XIAO

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