Three-dimensional orientation of single molecules in a tunable optical lambda/2 microresonator

Nano Lett. 2010 Feb 10;10(2):504-8. doi: 10.1021/nl903318p.

Abstract

A tightly focused radially polarized laser beam forms an unusual bimodal field distribution in an optical lambda/2-microresonator. We use a single-molecule dipole to probe the vector properties of this field distribution by tuning the resonator length with nanometer precision. Comparing calculated and experimental excitation patterns provides the three-dimensional orientation of the single-molecule dipole in the microresonator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Equipment Design
  • Light
  • Materials Testing
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Optics and Photonics*
  • Silicon Dioxide / chemistry
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods

Substances

  • Silicon Dioxide