Three-dimensional orientation determination of the emission dipoles of single molecules: the shot-noise limit

J Chem Phys. 2008 Sep 7;129(9):094703. doi: 10.1063/1.2971183.

Abstract

The power of three-dimensional orientation detection of single emitting dipoles using a sophisticated scheme with three detectors in a confocal microscope is quantitatively explored by means of Monte Carlo simulations. We show that several hundreds of photons are sufficient for a reliable orientation determination. In typical single-molecule experiments, time resolutions in the submillisecond range for orientation trajectories become accessible. Experimental data on fluorescent latex beads and single perylene monoimide molecules show that a properly aligned setup can perfectly reproduce the simulated data. The simulations and experimental data highlight the potential of our method and give practical guidelines for its application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fluorescence
  • Imides / chemistry*
  • Latex / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Microspheres*
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Perylene / analogs & derivatives*
  • Perylene / chemistry
  • Photons

Substances

  • Imides
  • Latex
  • perylenemonoimide
  • Perylene