Open AccessSingle Molecule Spectroscopy in Shpol'skii Matrices
Author(s) -
Taras Plakhotnik,
W. E. Moerner,
Thomas Irngartinger,
UP Wild
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
chimia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.387
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 2673-2424
pISSN - 0009-4293
DOI - 10.2533/chimia.1994.31
Subject(s) - spectroscopy , molecule , quantum yield , fluorescence , fluorescence spectroscopy , absorption spectroscopy , absorption (acoustics) , hexadecane , chemistry , matrix (chemical analysis) , materials science , spectral line , analytical chemistry (journal) , photochemistry , chemical physics , optics , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , astronomy , composite material , chromatography
Optical detection and spectroscopy of single molecules has recently been achieved in solids at very low temperature. Until now only three host-guest combinations have fulfilled the stringent requirements for high-resolution single-molecule spectra. A large absorption cross section has to be paired with high fluorescence quantum yield, high photochemical stability, as well as the absence of any significant shelving in a bottleneck state. The photophysical properties of the single fluorescent molecule are strongly influenced by its 'nano-environment'. Here we report the properties of a new system: terrylene in the Shpol'skii matrix hexadecane. In this system a peak emission rate more than 107 photons/s is achieved. It is expected that such a Shpol'skii system is a prototype of a new class of materials which allow single-molecule spectra to be easily recorded.