title: Alterations of single molecule fluorescence lifetimes in near-field optical microscopy.
abstract: Fluorescence lifetimes of single Rhodamine 6G molecules on silica surfaces were measured with pulsed laser excitation, time-correlated single photon counting, and near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM). The fluorescence lifetime varies with the position of a molecule relative to a near-field probe. Qualitative features of lifetime decreases are consistent with molecular excited state quenching effects near metal surfaces. The technique of NSOM provides a means of altering the environment of a single fluorescent molecule and its decay kinetics in a repeatable fashion.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Ambrose
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Goodwin
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Martin