Plasmonic near-field in the vicinity of a single gold nanoparticle investigated with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Plasmon-enhanced fluorescence correlation spectroscopy for super-localized detection of nanoscale subcellular dynamics

In this report, we investigate plasmon-enhanced imaging fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (p-FCS). p-FCS takes advantage of extreme light confinement by localization at nanogap-based plasmonic nanodimer arrays (PNAs) for enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and improved precision by registration with surface plasmon microscopy images. Theoretical results corroborate the enhancement by PNAs in the far-field. Near-field scanning optical microscopy was used to confirm near-field localization experimentally. Experimental confirmation was also conducted with fluorescent nanobeads. The concept was further applied to studying the diffusion dynamics of lysosomes in HEK293T cells stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate treatment. It was found that lysosomes demonstrate stronger super-diffusive behavior with relatively weaker sub-diffusion after stimulation. SNR measured of p-FCS was improved by 9.77 times over conventional FCS. This report is expected to serve as the foundation for an enhanced analytical tool to explore subcellular dynamics.

In situ scattering of single gold nanorod coupling with monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides

We investigated in situ the interaction between a single gold nanorod and monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) by atomic force microscopy nanomanipulation and single-particle spectroscopy. We observed that the resonant scattering peak of the hybrid redshifted, the full width at half maximum of the scattering resonance narrowed and the scattering intensity increased compared with those of the same nanorod before coupling with monolayer TMDCs. These results were understood with the aid of finite-difference time-domain simulations, the Fano model, and the classical oscillator model. Also, the spectral features varied with the distance between the nanorod and TMDCs, and the interaction was mainly attributed to the resonant energy transfer effect. Our findings clarify the influence of TMDCs on the plasmonic resonance and contribute to a deeper understanding of the plasmon exciton interaction. These results are beneficial for the optimization of plasmonic nanostructure-TMDC hybrids and their corresponding applications.

Optical Antenna-Based Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy to Probe the Nanoscale Dynamics of Biological Membranes

The plasma membrane of living cells is compartmentalized at multiple spatial scales ranging from the nano- to the mesoscale. This nonrandom organization is crucial for a large number of cellular functions. At the nanoscale, cell membranes organize into dynamic nanoassemblies enriched by cholesterol, sphingolipids, and certain types of proteins. Investigating these nanoassemblies known as lipid rafts is of paramount interest in fundamental cell biology. However, this goal requires simultaneous nanometer spatial precision and microsecond temporal resolution, which is beyond the reach of common microscopes. Optical antennas based on metallic nanostructures efficiently enhance and confine light into nanometer dimensions, breaching the diffraction limit of light. In this Perspective, we discuss recent progress combining optical antennas with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to monitor microsecond dynamics at nanoscale spatial dimensions. These new developments offer numerous opportunities to investigate lipid and protein dynamics in both mimetic and native biological membranes.

Super-resolution Localization and Defocused Fluorescence Microscopy on Resonantly Coupled Single-Molecule, Single-Nanorod Hybrids

Optical antennas made of metallic nanostructures dramatically enhance single-molecule fluorescence to boost the detection sensitivity. Moreover, emission properties detected at the optical far field are dictated by the antenna. Here we study the emission from molecule–antenna hybrids by means of super-resolution localization and defocused imaging. Whereas gold nanorods make single-crystal violet molecules in the tip’s vicinity visible in fluorescence, super-resolution localization on the enhanced molecular fluorescence reveals geometrical centers of the nanorod antenna instead. Furthermore, emission angular distributions of dyes linked to the nanorod surface resemble that of nanorods in defocused imaging. The experimental observations are consistent with numerical calculations using the finite-difference time-domain method.

Simple model for plasmon enhanced fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Metallic nano-antennas provide strong field confinement and intensity enhancement in hotspots and thus can ultimately enhance fluorescence detection and provide ultra small detection volumes. In solution-based fluorescence measurements, the diffraction limited focus driving the nano-antenna can outshine the fluorescence originating from the hotspot and thus render the benefits of the hotspot negligible. We introduce a model to calculate the effect of a nano-antenna, or any other object creating a nontrivial intensity distribution, for fluorescence fluctuation measurements. Approximating the local field enhancement of the nano-antenna by a 3D Gaussian profile, we show which hotspot sizes and intensities are the most beneficial for an FCS measurement and compare it to realistic antenna parameters from literature.

Gold nanoparticles for enhanced single molecule fluorescence analysis at micromolar concentration

Individual metal nanoparticles represent an inexpensive and versatile platform to enhance the detection of fluorescent species at biologically relevant concentrations. Here we use fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to quantify the near-field detection volume and average fluorescence enhancement factors set by a single gold nanoparticle. We demonstrate detection volumes down to 270 zeptoliters (three orders of magnitude beyond the diffraction barrier) together with 60-fold enhancement of the fluorescence brightness per molecule.

A plasmonic 'antenna-in-box' platform for enhanced single-molecule analysis at micromolar concentrations

Single-molecule fluorescence techniques are key for a number of applications, including DNA sequencing, molecular and cell biology and early diagnosis. Unfortunately, observation of single molecules by diffraction-limited optics is restricted to detection volumes in the femtolitre range and requires pico- or nanomolar concentrations, far below the micromolar range where most biological reactions occur. This limitation can be overcome using plasmonic nanostructures, which enable the confinement of light down to nanoscale volumes. Although these nanoantennas enhance fluorescence brightness, large background signals and/or unspecific binding to the metallic surface have hampered the detection of individual fluorescent molecules in solution at high concentrations. Here we introduce a novel 'antenna-in-box' platform that is based on a gap-antenna inside a nanoaperture. This design combines fluorescent signal enhancement and background screening, offering high single-molecule sensitivity (fluorescence enhancement up to 1,100-fold and microsecond transit times) at micromolar sample concentrations and zeptolitre-range detection volumes. The antenna-in-box device can be optimized for single-molecule fluorescence studies at physiologically relevant concentrations, as we demonstrate using various biomolecules.