No, it is not possible to directly "see" or resolve objects that are smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation used to observe them. This limitation is known as the diffraction limit, and it applies to all types of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light.
The ability to resolve or distinguish fine details in an object is determined by the wavelength of the radiation being used. According to the Rayleigh criterion, the minimum resolvable detail is approximately equal to the wavelength of the radiation divided by 2 times the numerical aperture of the imaging system.
In the case of visible light, which has wavelengths ranging from about 400 to 700 nanometers, the diffraction limit sets a practical resolution limit for optical systems. If the features of an object are smaller than this limit, the light waves diffract around them, leading to blurring and loss of fine details in the observed image.
However, there are techniques that can overcome the diffraction limit and enable imaging of objects below the wavelength scale. One such technique is super-resolution microscopy, which employs various methods to enhance the resolution beyond the diffraction limit. Examples include stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, structured illumination microscopy (SIM), and single-molecule localization microscopy (such as PALM and STORM). These techniques use clever experimental designs, specialized optics, or the precise localization of individual molecules to achieve resolutions beyond the diffraction limit.
It's important to note that these super-resolution techniques involve complex setups and are typically used in specific research settings rather than everyday imaging. In general, for conventional imaging systems using visible light or other electromagnetic radiation, the diffraction limit imposes a fundamental constraint on the ability to resolve objects smaller than the wavelength of the radiation.