Resolving single fluorophores within dense ensembles: contrast limits of tip-enhanced fluorescence microscopy.
We investigate the limits of one-photon fluorescence as a contrast mechanism in nanoscale-resolution tip-enhanced optical microscopy. Specifically, we examine the magnitude of tip-induced signal enhancement needed to resolve individual fluorophores within densely-packed ensembles. Modulation of fluorescence signals induced by an oscillating tip followed by demodulation with a lock-in amplifier increases image contrast by nearly two orders of magnitude. A theoretical model of this simple modulation/ demodulation scheme predicts an optimal value for the tip-oscillation amplitude that agrees with experimental measurements. Further, as an important step toward the eventual application of tip-enhanced fluorescence microscopy to the nanoscale structural analysis of biomolecular systems, we show that requisite signal enhancement factors are within the capabilities of commercially available silicon tips.
Department of Physics, University of Utah, 115 S. 1400 E., Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA.
Benjamin D
BD
Mangum
Chun
C
Mu
Jordan M
JM
Gerton
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D017785:Photons; D045663:Quantum Dots
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes