Real-time observation of single-molecule fluorescence in microdroplet streams

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1997 · Optics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.22.001265· OSTI ID:548823

Barnes, M D; Lermer, N; Kung, C; Whitten, W B; Ramsey, J M ^[1]; Hill, S C ^[2]

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1. Chemical and Analytical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O.Box 2008, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6142 (United States)
2. Army Research Laboratory, 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783-1155 (United States)

We report real-time observation of fluorescence bursts from individual Rhodamine 6G molecules in streams of microdroplets (peak signal-to-noise ratios, {approx}30) whose trajectories are constrained with a linear electric quadrupole. This approach offers a reasonable dynamic range in droplet size (3{endash}12{minus}{mu}m diameter) with {lt}1{percent} shot-to-shot size fluctuations and sensitivity comparable with that of droplet levitation techniques with at least 10{sup 3} higher analysis rates. Applications to the study of single-molecule microcavity effects and stimulated emission are discussed.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 548823
• Journal Information: Optics Letters, Journal Name: Optics Letters Journal Issue: 16 Vol. 22; ISSN 0146-9592; ISSN OPLEDP
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
CAVITY RESONATORS
DROPLETS
FLUORESCENCE
MOLECULES
RHODAMINES
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
STIMULATED EMISSION