Far field optical nanoscopy: How far can you go in nanometric characterization without resolving all the details?

► We present an original classification scheme of optical nanoscopy techniques. ► We briefly review diffraction limited, far field optical nanoscopy techniques. ► Such techniques can be used in nano-characterization of nano- and biomaterials. ► The detection and measurement of nano-structures is possible over wide fields (mm). ► The advantages are real time analysis, huge amounts of data and non-destructiveness.