Efficient excitation energy transfer among multiple dyes in polystyrene microspheres

Daniel V. Roberts, Bruce P. Wittmershaus, Yu Zhong Zhang, Sharon Swan, Michael P. Klinosky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

Our comparison of fluorescence excitation and absorption spectra from 40 nm polystyrene spheres containing six different dyes illustrates efficient excitation energy transfer among the dyes. The six-dye spheres collective absorption covers the entire visible region. The five dyes with the highest first excited state energy levels transfer their excitations to the sixth dye of the lowest energy level. The average excitation transfer efficiency to the sixth dye is 95% over most of the visible spectrum. As a result of this transfer, the spheres have a fluorescence maximum at 718 nm, the peak of emission from the lowest energy level dye. Each sphere functions as an artificial light-harvesting network. They have practical applications as fluorescent labels for biological systems and act as an efficient, broadly absorbing wavelength converter.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)225-231
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Luminescence
Volume79
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 30 1998

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biophysics
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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