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Single‐Molecule Metal‐Induced Energy Transfer (smMIET): Resolving Nanometer Distances at the Single‐Molecule Level
Author(s) -
Karedla Narain,
Chizhik Alexey I.,
Gregor Ingo,
Chizhik Anna M.,
Schulz Olaf,
Enderlein Jörg
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.201300760
Subject(s) - förster resonance energy transfer , molecule , intramolecular force , biomolecule , excited state , nanometre , chemical physics , plasmon , surface plasmon resonance , range (aeronautics) , chemistry , surface plasmon , materials science , molecular physics , nanotechnology , atomic physics , fluorescence , nanoparticle , optoelectronics , optics , physics , organic chemistry , stereochemistry , composite material
We present a new concept for measuring distance values of single molecules from a surface with nanometer accuracy using the energy transfer from the excited molecule to surface plasmons of a metal film. We measure the fluorescence lifetime of individual dye molecules deposited on a dielectric spacer as a function of a spacer thickness. By using our theoretical model, we convert the lifetime values into the axial distance of individual molecules. Similar to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), this allows emitters to be localized with nanometer accuracy, but in contrast to FRET the distance range at which efficient energy transfer takes place is an order of magnitude larger. Our technique can be potentially used as a tool for measuring intramolecular distances of biomolecules and complexes.