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Single-Molecule Vibrational Thermometry
Philip A Kocheril1, Dongkwan Lee1, Noor Naji1
1Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|August 15, 2025
Summary
We developed Boltzmann-edge vibrational thermometry (BET) for calibration-free temperature measurements. This sensitive molecular thermometer works in biological samples and can identify local environments.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Chemical Physics
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Molecular thermometers are crucial for in situ temperature measurements.
- Existing methods often require calibration and lack sensitivity in complex environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Boltzmann-edge vibrational thermometry (BET) as a novel, calibration-free method for temperature measurement.
- To demonstrate the applicability of BET in biological samples with high sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing anti-Stokes fluorescence to detect the relative population of vibrationally excited molecules.
- Applying the Boltzmann distribution for calibration-free temperature reporting.
- Employing mid-infrared absorption to modulate and characterize vibrational temperature for BET fingerprinting.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated BET microscopy's compatibility with biological samples.
- Achieved single-molecule sensitivity using BET.
- Showcased the ability to characterize local environments via BET fingerprinting.
Conclusions:
- BET provides a foundation for sensitive, calibration-free vibrational thermometry in biological imaging.
- This technique allows for detailed characterization of local environments through molecular vibrations.
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