Subwavelength-resolution fluorescent correlation spectroscopy using a solid immersion lens

In this paper we present recent spectroscopic studies using a Solid Immersion Lens for Fluorescent Correlation Spectroscopy measurements. We compare the performance of the Solid Immersion Lens confocal microscope built-up in our group to the performance of a conventional confocal microscope used for FCS. The novelty of the new SIL-FCS microscope is a system containing a conventional objective (NA = 0.6) combined with a Solid Immersion Lens used for single molecule experiment. Important parameters for single molecule experiments such as collection efficiency and excitation field confinement are investigated for different modes of the SIL objective system.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.