Spectroscopy and microscopy of single molecules in nanoscopic channels: spectral behavior vs. confinement depth.
We perform high-resolution spectroscopy and localization microscopy to study single dye molecules confined to nanoscopic dimensions in one direction. We provide the fabrication details of our nanoscopic glass channels and the procedure for filling them with organic matrices. Optical data on hundreds of molecules in different channel depths show a clear trend from narrow stable lines in deep channels to broader linewidths in ultrathin matrices. In addition, we observe a steady blue shift of the center of the inhomogeneous band as the channels become thinner. Furthermore, we use super-resolution localization microscopy to correlate the positions and orientations of the individual dye molecules with the lateral landscape of the organic matrix, including cracks and strain-induced dislocations. Our results and methodology are useful for a number of studies in various fields such as physical chemistry, solid-state spectroscopy, and quantum nano-optics.
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. vahid.sandoghdar@mpl.mpg.de.
Benjamin
B
Gmeiner
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. vahid.sandoghdar@mpl.mpg.de and Department of Physics, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Andreas
A
Maser
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. vahid.sandoghdar@mpl.mpg.de.
Tobias
T
Utikal
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. vahid.sandoghdar@mpl.mpg.de and Department of Physics, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany and School of Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT), Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Stephan
S
Götzinger
Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. vahid.sandoghdar@mpl.mpg.de and Department of Physics, Friedrich Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Vahid
V
Sandoghdar