Deep‐Ultraviolet Biomolecular Imaging and Analysis

Abstract Deep‐ultraviolet light, 200–300 nm in wavelength, interacts with nucleic acids and proteins strongly compared to visible and infrared light. In this article, the interaction between deep‐ultraviolet photons and biomolecules is discussed. Especially, the absorption and autofluorescence of biomolecules by the deep‐ultraviolet excitation are examined. Applications of deep‐ultraviolet absorption and autofluorescence to label‐free biomolecular imaging and analysis of cells and tissues are shown. Resonant Raman scattering at nucleotide bases and aromatic amino acids as another important topic of deep‐ultraviolet photonics is reviewed in biomolecular imaging and analysis. The discussion extends to the recent progress in the development of deep‐ultraviolet microscopes as well as a variety of deep‐ultraviolet optical devices such as light sources, detectors, and objectives. The issue of photodamage due to deep‐ultraviolet irradiation on cells and tissues is also discussed. It has been recently suppressed with use of lanthanide ions. The experimental results of the photodamage suppression are shown. For surface‐enhanced resonant Raman scattering, autofluorescence enhancement, and tip‐enhanced resonant Raman scattering microscopy, plasmonic materials applicable in the deep‐ultraviolet range are discussed.