title: Measuring the quantum efficiency of the optical emission of single radiating dipoles using a scanning mirror.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Buchler
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kalkbrenner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hettich
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sandoghdar