Ten Years of Single-Molecule Spectroscopy

Area of Science:

• Physical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Single-molecule spectroscopy (SMS) merges local probe microscopy and optics.
• The field has rapidly expanded over the past decade.
• SMS eliminates ensemble averaging, revealing individual molecular variations and dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate single-molecule spectroscopic experiments at cryogenic temperatures.
• To review recent advancements and applications of SMS.
• To highlight the potential of SMS in physical chemistry.

Main Methods:

• Cryogenic single-molecule spectroscopy.
• Analysis of molecular photophysics.
• Investigation of solid matrix dynamics and molecule-field interactions.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated SMS applications in molecular photophysics.
• Revealed dynamics of the solid matrix surrounding single molecules.
• Explored interactions between single molecules and electromagnetic fields (quantum optics).

Conclusions:

• SMS provides unique insights into systems with spatial or temporal inhomogeneity.
• The technique is suitable for diverse physical chemistry applications including surfaces, catalysis, and porous media.
• SMS is a powerful tool for understanding fundamental processes at the molecular level.