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Alterations of single molecule fluorescence lifetimes in near-field optical microscopy

Journal Article · · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
Fluorescence lifetimes of single Rhodamine 6G molecules on silica surfaces were measured with pulsed laser excitation, time-correlated single photon counting, and near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). The fluorescence lifetime varies with the position of a molecule relative to a near-field probe. Qualitative features of lifetime decreases are consistent with molecular excited state quenching effects near metal surfaces. The technique of NSOM provides a means of altering the environment of a single fluorescent molecule and its decay kinetics in a repeatable fashion.
OSTI ID:
6768949
Journal Information:
Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 265:5170; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English