%0 Journal Article %1 richards2004nanooptics %A Richards, David %A Zayats, Anatoly %A Hecht, Bert %D 2004 %J Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A %K nano-optics single-molecules theory %N 1817 %P 881-899 %R 10.1098/rsta.2003.1352 %T Nano-optics with single quantum systems %V 362 %X This paper reviews the recent progress in using single quantum systems, here mainly single fluorescent molecules, as local probes for nano–optical field distributions. We start by discussing the role of the absorption cross–section for the spatial resolution attainable in such experiments and its behaviour for different environmental conditions. It is shown that the spatial distribution of field components in a high–numerical aperture laser focus can be mapped with high precision using single fluorescent molecules embedded in a thin polymer film on glass. With this proof–of–principle experiment as a starting point, the possibility of mapping strongly confined and enhanced nano–optical fields close to material structures, e.g. sharp metal tips, is discussed. The mapping of the spatial distribution of the enhanced field at an etched gold tip using a single molecule is presented as an example. Energy transfer effects and quenching are identified as possible artefacts in this context. Finally, it is demonstrated that the local quenching at a sharp metal structure nevertheless can be exploited as a novel contrast mechanism for ultrahigh–resolution optical microscopy with single–molecule sensitivity.

@article{richards2004nanooptics, abstract = {This paper reviews the recent progress in using single quantum systems, here mainly single fluorescent molecules, as local probes for nano–optical field distributions. We start by discussing the role of the absorption cross–section for the spatial resolution attainable in such experiments and its behaviour for different environmental conditions. It is shown that the spatial distribution of field components in a high–numerical aperture laser focus can be mapped with high precision using single fluorescent molecules embedded in a thin polymer film on glass. With this proof–of–principle experiment as a starting point, the possibility of mapping strongly confined and enhanced nano–optical fields close to material structures, e.g. sharp metal tips, is discussed. The mapping of the spatial distribution of the enhanced field at an etched gold tip using a single molecule is presented as an example. Energy transfer effects and quenching are identified as possible artefacts in this context. Finally, it is demonstrated that the local quenching at a sharp metal structure nevertheless can be exploited as a novel contrast mechanism for ultrahigh–resolution optical microscopy with single–molecule sensitivity.}, added-at = {2020-02-19T11:39:52.000+0100}, author = {Richards, David and Zayats, Anatoly and Hecht, Bert}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2984cbff7370769a185e1e40c8bc69d30/ep5optics}, day = 15, doi = {10.1098/rsta.2003.1352}, file = {Richards et al. - 2004 - Nano-optics with single quantum systems.pdf:C\:\\Users\\scherzad\\Zotero\\storage\\VXUNX5A7\\Richards et al. - 2004 - Nano-optics with single quantum systems.pdf:application/pdf;Snapshot:C\:\\Users\\scherzad\\Zotero\\storage\\UF3VR25G\\rsta.2003.html:text/html}, interhash = {a2f6dfcc9dc66fa0228718f806ad33f7}, intrahash = {984cbff7370769a185e1e40c8bc69d30}, journal = {Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A}, keywords = {nano-optics single-molecules theory}, month = {04}, number = 1817, pages = {881-899}, timestamp = {2020-02-19T11:39:52.000+0100}, title = {Nano-optics with single quantum systems}, urldate = {2020-02-19}, volume = 362, year = 2004 }