Scanning near-field optical microscopy.

An average human eye can see details down to 0,07 mm in size. The ability to see smaller details of the matter is correlated with the development of the science and the comprehension of the nature. Today's science needs eyes for the nano-world. Examples are easily found in biology and medical sciences. There is a great need to determine shape, size, chemical composition, molecular structure and dynamic properties of nano-structures. To do this, microscopes with high spatial, spectral and temporal resolution are required. Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) is a new step in the evolution of microscopy. The conventional, lens-based microscopes have their resolution limited by diffraction. SNOM is not subject to this limitation and can offer up to 70 times better resolution.

Very high resolution chemical imaging with Infrared Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (IR-SNOM).

In this paper we present chemically highly resolved images obtained with Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (SNOM) coupled with an Infrared (IR) Free Electron Laser (FEL) at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA. Main principles governing SNOM imaging as well as essential components of the experimental setup are described. Chemically resolved images showing the distribution of different phases within the boron-nitride films are presented. Universal character of the experiment and its huge potential applications in biophysics and medical sciences domain are illustrated with highly resolved SNOM images of pancreatic cells.

[P.A.M. Dirac and antimatter applied to medicine]. / P.A.M. Dirac i antimaterija u sluzbi medicine.

Regarding to the hundredth anniversary of P. Dirac birth, it was made review on life and work of this genius in the history of physics and science generally. His ingenious scientific work, that significantly marked contemporary time, was presented in the simplest way with aim to approach more number of readers. Special accent was put on application of Dirac's ideas about antiparticles in medical practice.

[Hadron therapy in carcinoma]. / Hadronska terapija karcinoma.

According to some statistics, in the developed countries of west Europe, one in three of population will have an encounter with cancer and, only one in eight of this will have treated by use a linear accelerator. Conventional accelerator-based treatments use photon or electron or proton beams collimated to the tumour place. However, some tumors are resistant on this therapy, while others have complex shapes or are located around vital radiosensitive organs. In those cases it is necessary higher radiobiological efficiency and higher precision. New generation of hadron therapy accelerators are arming with light ions. This therapy is characterized with high precision, in millimeter range over complex volumes. That is also good example how particle physics can benefit medical treatments.