Jerome Wenger NanoBioPhotonics

Despite intense recent research on optical antennas, tuning the directionality of fluorescence emission remains an open challenge for emitters with random positions and orientations. We address this issue in a recent Nano Letters report, and propose a class of optical antennas to control the fluorescence emission directivity for molecules in solution.

Following on our previous article “Bright Unidirectional Fluorescence Emission of Molecules in a Nanoaperture with  Plasmonic Corrugations” by H.  Aouani  et  al (Nano Lett. 2011, 11, 637–644), new scientific findings are now described and analyzed:

1) We describe new design paths for plasmonic antennas to tune the emission directivity based on physical optics interference concepts. This manuscript provides the first complete characterization of the interference phenomenon leading to fluorescence beaming, both experimentally and theoretically.

2) The key result is that for each emission wavelength the fluorescence beam can be directed along a specific direction with a given angular width. For the first time, we demonstrate directional photon sorting between emission beams of spectrally different molecules.

Forget about administrative work, prepare yourself for the next Top Gun Day coming up next Friday. What is Top Gun Day ? Check the original TGD website.

Top Gun quotes to insert in your next (scientific) conference talk :

• "The further on the edge, the hotter the intensity"
• "I was inverted"
• "If you think, you're dead"
• "Reviewer, snnfffffff....      ....you stink"

Enjoy !

Our recent research results on single molecule fluorescence control with nanoantennas have just been highlighted in the April issue of CNRS Le Journal, the monthly magazine presenting the most recent scientific results obtained within the CNRS. See the article on our research on page 13 : "Very Bright Molecules".

Only one week left until the application deadline !

The Fresnel Institute is seeking a top qualified researcher to fill an assistant professor (Maitre de Conference in French) position. The research topic will primarily deal with theoretical simulations of nanophotonics. Read the full details here, and the official announcement here.

A little of self-satisfaction won't hurt... Thanks to all colleagues who found part of my work of interest to their research.

Check the items on the left column for latest research results and publications for download (more science to follow on this blog).