Hannover 2016 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 42: Poster: Quantum Optics and Photonics III

Q 42.60: Poster

Wednesday, March 2, 2016, 16:30–19:00, Empore Lichthof

Rotational diffusion of nanorods studied by interferometric scattering detection (iSCAT) — Jens Ehrig, •Mahdi Mazaheri, and Vahid Sandoghdar — Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Erlangen, Germany

We use interferometric scattering detection microscopy (iSCAT) to study the rotational diffusion of gold nanorods (GNR) linked to an artificial bilayer lipid membrane on a glass substrate. The technique relies on the interference between light scattered from the GNR and the reference beam reflected from the glass-water interface. Streptavidin-conjugated gold nanorods of length 63 nm and diameter of 25 nm were attached to headgroup-biotinylated DOPE lipids in DOPC supported lipid bilayers. By illuminating the sample with polarized laser light and polarization separation in the detection path, the fast tracking of rotational diffusion of the GNR becomes possible. Specifically, we can calculate the angle of the rod in each video frame, i.e., within a few microseconds. Using this approach one can simultaneously study the rotational and lateral diffusion of very small membrane inclusions and from that infer information on the physical properties and local dynamic behavior of the membrane such as local viscosity, short range diffusion, and compositional heterogeneity.