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Updated: Jul 8, 2026
14:16
Fluorescence detection methods for microfluidic droplet platforms
Published on: December 10, 2011
Instrumentation for measuring fluorescence cross sections from airborne microsized particles.
A Manninen1, M Putkiranta, A Rostedt
1Department of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland. albert.manninen@tut.fi
Applied Optics
|January 12, 2008
Summary
Researchers developed a new instrument to measure laser-induced fluorescence spectra from single aerosol particles. This instrument successfully analyzed sodium chloride particles doped with riboflavin, demonstrating its capability for detailed spectral analysis.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
- Aerosol Science
Background:
- Single aerosol particle analysis is crucial for understanding atmospheric processes and material properties.
- Existing methods for aerosol fluorescence spectroscopy have limitations in sensitivity and spectral resolution.
- Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) offers a sensitive method for probing molecular composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a novel experimental instrument for measuring laser-induced fluorescence spectra from single aerosol particles.
- To demonstrate the instrument's capabilities using well-characterized aerosol particles.
- To investigate the excitation wavelength dependence of fluorescence and estimate fluorescence cross-sections.
Main Methods:
- Development of a custom-built experimental setup for single aerosol particle LIF spectroscopy.
- Generation of monodisperse sodium chloride particles doped with riboflavin using an inkjet aerosol generator.
- Excitation of fluorescence using a pulsed, tunable optical parametric oscillator laser across a broad wavelength range (210-419 nm).
- Detection of fluorescence emission spectra from individual particles.
Main Results:
- The instrument successfully measured laser-induced fluorescence spectra from single aerosol particles.
- The maximum fluorescence emission for riboflavin-doped particles was detected at 560 nm.
- The study characterized the excitation wavelength dependence of fluorescence and estimated fluorescence cross-sections.
- Experimental data showed good agreement with literature values for riboflavin.
Conclusions:
- The developed instrument is effective for characterizing the optical properties of single aerosol particles.
- The findings provide valuable data for understanding the fluorescence behavior of riboflavin in aerosol form.
- This technique has potential applications in atmospheric science, material characterization, and chemical sensing.
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