Singlet oxygen luminescence detection with a fiber-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detector

Opt Express. 2013 Feb 25;21(4):5005-13. doi: 10.1364/OE.21.005005.

Abstract

Direct monitoring of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) luminescence is a particularly challenging infrared photodetection problem. ¹O₂, an excited state of the oxygen molecule, is a crucial intermediate in many biological processes. We employ a low noise superconducting nanowire single-photon detector to record ¹O₂ luminescence at 1270 nm wavelength from a model photosensitizer (Rose Bengal) in solution. Narrow band spectral filtering and chemical quenching is used to verify the ¹O₂ signal, and lifetime evolution with the addition of protein is studied. Furthermore, we demonstrate the detection of ¹O₂ luminescence through a single optical fiber, a marked advance for dose monitoring in clinical treatments such as photodynamic therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Conductometry / instrumentation*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Fiber Optic Technology / instrumentation*
  • Light
  • Luminescent Measurements / instrumentation*
  • Nanotubes / chemistry
  • Nanotubes / radiation effects*
  • Photometry / instrumentation*
  • Photons
  • Singlet Oxygen / analysis*

Substances

  • Singlet Oxygen