Measuring the quantum efficiency of the optical emission of single radiating dipoles using a scanning mirror.
Using scanning probe techniques, we show the controlled manipulation of the radiation from single dipoles. In one experiment we study the modification of the fluorescence lifetime of a single molecular dipole in front of a movable silver mirror. A second experiment demonstrates the changing plasmon spectrum of a gold nanoparticle in front of a dielectric mirror. Comparison of our data with theoretical models allows determination of the quantum efficiency of each radiating dipole.
Buchler
B C
BC
Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
Kalkbrenner
T
T
Hettich
C
C
Sandoghdar
V
V