Particle tracking of nanoparticles in soft matter
Katie A. Rose, Mehdi Molaei, Michael J. Boyle, Daeyeon Lee, John C. Crocker, Russell J. Composto
Abstract
Recent advances in optical microscopy instrumentation and processing techniques have led to imaging that both breaks the diffraction barrier and enables sub-pixel resolution. This enhanced resolution has expanded the capabilities of particle tracking to nanoscale processes in soft matter including biomolecular, colloidal, and polymeric materials. This tutorial provides a basic understanding of particle tracking instrumentation, the fundamentals of tracking analysis, and potential sources of error and bias inherent in analyzing particle tracking. Finally, we provide a brief outlook for the future of particle tracking through the lens of machine learning.