Tip-enhanced single molecule fluorescence near-field microscopy in aqueous environment

Frey, Heinrich G.; Paskarbeit, Jan; Anselmetti, Dario

doi:10.1063/1.3155190

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…So the suppression of background signals and improvement of spatial resolution will be obtained, which aids the low-photon fluorescence process. In addition, TEFS was also used to image samples with high spatial resolution and enhanced molecular lifetimes, and even used for single-molecule detection [106,109]. Very recently, P. V. Duyne' group combined TERS and TEFS techniques via ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microscope (UHVSTM) to study the target moelcules (H 2 TBPP) monolayer self-assembled on silver film surface, as shown in Figure 16 [110].…”

Section: The Tip-enhanced Effect Towards Fluorescence Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Progress on Plasmon-Enhanced Fluorescence

et al. 2015

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Abstract:The optically generated collective electron density waves on metal-dielectric boundaries known as surface plasmons have been of great scientific interest since their discovery. Being electromagnetic waves on gold or silver nanoparticle's surface, localised surface plasmons (LSP) can strongly enhance the electromagnetic field. These strong electromagnetic fields near the metal surfaces have been used in various applications like surface enhanced spectroscopy (SES), plasmonic lithography, plasmonic trapping of particles, and plasmonic catalysis. Resonant coupling of LSPs to fluorophore can strongly enhance the emission intensity, the angular distribution, and the polarisation of the emitted radiation and even the speed of radiative decay, which is so-called plasmon enhanced fluorescence (PEF). As a result, more and more reports on surface-enhanced fluorescence have appeared, such as SPASER-s, plasmon assisted lasing, single molecule fluorescence measurements, surface plasmoncoupled emission (SPCE) in biological sensing, optical orbit designs etc. In this review, we focus on recent advanced reports on plasmon-enhanced fluorescence (PEF). First, the mechanism of PEF and early results of enhanced fluorescence observed by metal nanostructure will be introduced. Then, the enhanced substrates, including periodical and nonperiodical nanostructure, will be discussed and the most important factor of the spacer between molecule and surface and wavelength dependence on PEF is demonstrated. Finally, the recent progress of tipenhanced fluorescence and PEF from the rare-earth doped up-conversion (UC) and down-conversion (DC) nanoparticles (NPs) are also commented upon. This review provides an introduction to fundamentals of PEF, illustrates the current progress in the design of metallic nanostructures for efficient fluorescence signal amplification that utilises propagating and localised surface plasmons.

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Section: The Tip-enhanced Effect Towards Fluorescence Emissionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Progress on Plasmon-Enhanced Fluorescence

et al. 2015

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“…As a result the fluorescence emission rate can be both significantly enhanced or reduced at distances up to some 10 nm [6,8–11], and single-molecule images can show complex fluorescence patterns [3,12–13]. Silicon probes expose only a moderate field enhancement and the dipolar coupling between probe and dye is less pronounced [4]. Even though, silicon tips can quench the fluorescence emission at close proximity [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Apertureless scanning near-field optical microscopy of sparsely labeled tobacco mosaic viruses and the intermediate filament desmin

Harder¹,

Dieding²,

Walhorn³

et al. 2013

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol.

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SummaryBoth fluorescence imaging and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are highly versatile and extensively used in applications ranging from nanotechnology to life sciences. In fluorescence microscopy luminescent dyes serve as position markers. Moreover, they can be used as active reporters of their local vicinity. The dipolar coupling of the tip with the incident light and the fluorophore give rise to a local field and fluorescence enhancement. AFM topographic imaging allows for resolutions down to the atomic scale. It can be operated in vacuum, under ambient conditions and in liquids. This makes it ideal for the investigation of a wide range of different samples. Furthermore an illuminated AFM cantilever tip apex exposes strongly confined non-propagating electromagnetic fields that can serve as a coupling agent for single dye molecules. Thus, combining both techniques by means of apertureless scanning near-field optical microscopy (aSNOM) enables concurrent high resolution topography and fluorescence imaging. Commonly, among the various (apertureless) SNOM approaches metallic or metallized probes are used. Here, we report on our custom-built aSNOM setup, which uses commercially available monolithic silicon AFM cantilevers. The field enhancement confined to the tip apex facilitates an optical resolution down to 20 nm. Furthermore, the use of standard mass-produced AFM cantilevers spares elaborate probe production or modification processes. We investigated tobacco mosaic viruses and the intermediate filament protein desmin. Both are mixed complexes of building blocks, which are fluorescently labeled to a low degree. The simultaneous recording of topography and fluorescence data allows for the exact localization of distinct building blocks within the superordinate structures.

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“…Recently, an aNSOM was developed with the capability to measure via bottom-illumination and top-illumination mode, as well as a measure in water and in air. 207 The resolution was found to be independent on the illumination mode, but was lower in water (32 AE 7 nm) than in air (25 AE 6 nm). 207 Furthermore, the resolution can be enhanced by amplifying the incident and scattered electric elds at the tip itself.…”

Section: Near-eld Optical Microscopy (Snom/nsom)mentioning

confidence: 91%

“…207 The resolution was found to be independent on the illumination mode, but was lower in water (32 AE 7 nm) than in air (25 AE 6 nm). 207 Furthermore, the resolution can be enhanced by amplifying the incident and scattered electric elds at the tip itself. 208 These results indicate that aNSOM in top-illumination mode (also called s-SNOM) is able to measure thicker samples, which are not measurable via the bottom-illumination mode.…”

Section: Near-eld Optical Microscopy (Snom/nsom)mentioning

confidence: 91%