Enhancement of Single-Molecule Fluorescence Using a Gold Nanoparticle as an Optical Nanoantenna

Sergei Kühn, Ulf Håkanson, Lavinia Rogobete, and Vahid Sandoghdar
Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 017402 – Published 7 July 2006
PDFHTMLExport Citation

Abstract

We investigate the coupling of a single molecule to a single spherical gold nanoparticle acting as a nanoantenna. Using scanning probe technology, we position the particle in front of the molecule with nanometer accuracy and measure a strong enhancement of more than 20 times in the fluorescence intensity simultaneous to a 20-fold shortening of the excited state lifetime. Comparisons with three-dimensional calculations guide us to decipher the contributions of the excitation enhancement, spontaneous emission modification, and quenching. Furthermore, we provide direct evidence for the role of the particle plasmon resonance in the molecular excitation and emission processes.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 1 December 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.017402

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Sergei Kühn, Ulf Håkanson, Lavinia Rogobete, and Vahid Sandoghdar*

  • Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland

  • *Electronic address: vahid.sandoghdar@ethz.ch

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 97, Iss. 1 — 7 July 2006

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×