Three-dimensional orientation determination of the emission dipoles of single molecules: The shot-noise limit

Johannes Hohlbein*, Christian G. Hübner

*Corresponding author for this work
12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The power of three-dimensional orientation detection of single emitting dipoles using a sophisticated scheme with three detectors in a confocal microscope is quantitatively explored by means of Monte Carlo simulations. We show that several hundreds of photons are sufficient for a reliable orientation determination. In typical single-molecule experiments, time resolutions in the submillisecond range for orientation trajectories become accessible. Experimental data on fluorescent latex beads and single perylene monoimide molecules show that a properly aligned setup can perfectly reproduce the simulated data. The simulations and experimental data highlight the potential of our method and give practical guidelines for its application.

Original languageEnglish
Article number094703
JournalJournal of Chemical Physics
Volume129
Issue number9
ISSN0021-9606
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15.09.2008

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