Development of single molecule total internal reflection fluorescence microscope

We mostly think and communicate science at the single-molecule level, but do experiments at the ensemble level. This gap between our thinking and experiments has been closing with the advent of single-molecule techniques nearly twenty years ago. Single-molecule techniques have proved very useful in probing individual molecules and heterogeneities, and have provided unprecedented insights into previously inaccessible scientific knowledge. Studying molecules one by one using single-molecule techniques has become very useful in revealing insights into mechanistic details hidden in ensemble experiments. I have built a total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscope with single-molecule sensitivity to study fluorescent molecules. The microscope is modular and multifunctional with capabilities including a wide excitation wavelength range (400-2000 nm) both in objective-type and prism-type TIRF configurations, localization accuracy ~1 nm, temporal resolution ~1 ms, and alternate laser excitation. As an application, we have measured high-throughput photoluminescent spectra of individual CdSe quantum dots.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.S.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Cannataro, Frank

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Sarkar, Susanta K.
• Sullivan, Neal P.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Scales, John Alan
• Porter, Jason M.

• total internal reflection fluorescence
• fluorescence
• single molecule
• optomechanical
• microscopy
• spectroscopy

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright of the original work is retained by the author.

Language dc:language.iso

eng, English

Identifier

T 7783

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.mines.edu:11124/17142