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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
Published on: May 29, 2018
Emission dipole orientation reveals dynamic single-molecule interactions with 2D crystals at solvent interfaces
Wei Guo1, Tzu-Heng Chen2, Nathan Ronceray3
1Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology, Institute of Bioengineering (IBI), School of Engineering (STI), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland. wei.guo@epfl.ch.
This study introduces polarized single-molecule localization microscopy to track both molecule location and orientation. This new method reveals molecular dynamics at solid-liquid interfaces, enabling precise control of quantum emitters.
Area of Science:
- Quantum optics
- Materials science
- Surface chemistry
Background:
- Single-molecule tracking is crucial for quantum materials, chemical reactions, and biological systems.
- Current methods lack information on molecular configuration and orientation.
- Observing molecular dynamics at solid-liquid interfaces is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for simultaneously resolving the locations and emission dipole orientations of single fluorescent emitters.
- To investigate molecular interaction dynamics at the hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)/organic solvent interface.
- To explore electrochemical control of quantum emitters.
Main Methods:
- High-throughput polarized single-molecule localization microscopy.
- Utilizing the interface between hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and an organic solvent.
- Capturing over 10⁵ fluorescent events at room temperature.
Main Results:
- Simultaneous nanometer-precision localization and dipole orientation determination of single emitters.
- Observed dipole orientations aligning with the C₃ symmetry of the h-BN lattice.
- Demonstrated electrochemical modulation of molecular dynamics.
- Revealed significantly more dynamic lateral diffusion at the solid-liquid interface compared to solid-state emitters.
Conclusions:
- The developed technique advances the understanding of single-molecule interactions at interfaces.
- Electrochemical control offers a route for on-demand manipulation of quantum emitters.
- This method enables real-time sensing applications using two-dimensional materials.
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