Nanoscale spectroscopy with optical antennas
In traditional microscopy and spectroscopy, components such as lenses, mirrors and diffractive elements are used to control and focus the optical radiation. This relies on the wave nature of the radiation and means the smallest volume to which the radiation can be localised, and so the technique’s sensitivity, is limited by diffraction.
Now Lukas Novotny and colleagues at the University of Rochester, USA, have taken inspiration from radio wave manipulation and designed an optical antenna that can boost the interaction between light and the particle being studied. The fluorescence of a single molecule can be enhanced by more than a factor of 10 using this technique. The optical antenna, which consists of a single colloidal gold nanoparticle on the end of a pointed dielectric fibre, replaces a conventional focusing lens or objective, so the incoming light can be focused to dimensions smaller than the diffraction limit.
As well as improving chemical and biological sensing, the technique holds promise for resolving open questions in surface enhanced Raman scattering and fluorescence, says Novotny.
Original publication: Palash Bharadwaj, Ryan Beams and Lukas Novotny, Chemical Science, 2010
Most read news
Organizations
Other news from the department science
Get the analytics and lab tech industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for analytics and lab technology brings you up to date every Tuesday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.
Most read news
More news from our other portals
See the theme worlds for related content
Topic World Spectroscopy
Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!
Topic World Spectroscopy
Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!