title: Calibration of dynamic molecular rulers based on plasmon coupling between gold nanoparticles.
abstract: Pairs of noble metal nanoparticles can be used to measure distances via the distance dependence of their plasmon coupling. These "plasmon rulers" offer exceptional photostability and brightness; however, the advantages and limitations of this approach remain to be explored. Here we report detailed plasmon peak versus separation calibration curves for 42- and 87-nm-diameter particle pairs, determine their measurement errors, and describe experimental procedures to improve their performance in biology, nanotechnology, and materials sciences.
authors.affiliation: Physics Department, Biophysics Graduate Program, and Chemistry Department, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
authors.forename: Björn M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Reinhard
authors.forename: Merek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.forename: Harish
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: A Paul
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Alivisatos
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liphardt
mesh_terms: D031541:Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; D006046:Gold; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D049329:Nanostructures; D036103:Nanotechnology; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance
chemical_list: D006046:Gold