Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Monitoring Conformational Dynamics of Single Unmodified Proteins using Plasmonic Nanotweezers
Published on: March 21, 2025
Dynamics of Single-Molecule Stokes Shifts: Influence of Conformation and Environment
Martin Streiter1, Stefan Krause1, Christian von Borczyskowski1
1Institut für Physik, Technische Universität Chemnitz , 09126 Chemnitz, Germany.
Abstract:
We report on time-dependent Stokes shift measurements of single molecules. Excitation and emission spectroscopy were applied to study the temporal Stokes shift evolution of single perylene diimide molecules embedded in a polymer matrix on the time scale of seconds. The Stokes shift varied between individual molecules as well as for single molecules undergoing different conformations and geometries. From the distribution and temporal evolution of Stokes shifts, we unravel the interplay of nanoenvironment and molecular conformation. We found that Stokes shift fluctuations are related to simultaneous and unidirectional shifts of both emission and excitation spectra.
Related Concept Videos
Conformity
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Temporal Resolution
¹H NMR of Conformationally Flexible Molecules: Variable-Temperature NMR
Stokes' Law
The expression for the force on a solid spherical object in a fluid is called Stokes' law. Stokes' law is valid only...
Divergence and Stokes' Theorems
Navier–Stokes Equations

