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Engineering single-molecule fluorescence with asymmetric nano-antennas.
Wenqi Zhao1, Xiaochaoran Tian1, Zhening Fang1
1State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics and Department of Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
Light, Science & Applications
|April 15, 2021
Summary
Researchers enhanced near-infrared (NIR) single-molecule fluorescence using asymmetric plasmonic nano-antennas. This method significantly boosts fluorescence intensity, overcoming limitations of current NIR dyes for bioscience applications.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Nanotechnology
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Single-molecule fluorescence detection offers insights into molecular dynamics.
- Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence provides better signal-to-noise and tissue penetration.
- Low quantum yield of NIR dyes hinders single-molecule detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance single-molecule fluorescence intensity in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum.
- To overcome the limitations of low quantum yield in NIR fluorophores.
- To develop a universal scheme for engineering NIR single-molecule fluorescence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized asymmetric plasmonic nano-antennas to enhance fluorescence.
- Investigated enhancement of a typical NIR dye (AIEE1000).
- Employed coupled-mode-theory analysis to understand enhancement mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Achieved fluorescence intensity enhancement of up to 405-fold for AIEE1000.
- Increased the quantum yield of the NIR dye to approximately 80%.
- Demonstrated that enhancement arises from resonance matching and optimized near-field/far-field coupling.
Conclusions:
- Asymmetric plasmonic nano-antennas provide a powerful method for boosting NIR single-molecule fluorescence.
- The developed scheme offers a universal approach for engineering NIR fluorescence detection.
- This technique has significant implications for biosensing and molecular imaging in biological tissues.
