Abstract
We present a theoretical study on the impact of an interface on the FRET efficiency of a surface-bound acceptor-donor system. The FRET efficiency can be modified by two effects. Firstly, the donor’s electromagnetic field at the acceptor’s position is changed due to the partial reflection of the donor’s field. Secondly, both the donor’s and the acceptor’s quantum yield of fluorescence can be changed due to the interface-induced enhancement of the radiative emission rate (Purcell effect). Numerical results for a FRET-pair at a glass-water interface are given.
Highlights
Förster Resonance Energy Transfer or FRET [1] has become one of the most widely used fluorescence-spectroscopic tool in biophysical and biomedical research; see the reviews [2,3,4,5,6]
SmFRET experiments are performed with the molecules immobilized on a surface [9,10]
The proximity of an interface dividing to materials with different refractive indices does change the fluorescence emission behavior of fluorescent dyes. Their radiative transition rate from the excited to the ground state is changed, which results in a changed fluorescence lifetime
Summary
Förster Resonance Energy Transfer or FRET [1] has become one of the most widely used fluorescence-spectroscopic tool in biophysical and biomedical research; see the reviews [2,3,4,5,6]. SmFRET experiments are performed with the molecules immobilized on a surface [9,10] This prevents the diffusion of the molecules out of the focal plane and allows for recording long-lasting photon bursts from one and the same molecule. The proximity of an interface dividing to materials with different refractive indices does change the fluorescence emission behavior of fluorescent dyes Their radiative transition rate from the excited to the ground state is changed, which results in a changed fluorescence lifetime. This effect is small for interfaces between dielectric materials, the present paper aims at quantifying the potential impact of such electromagnetic effects on the accuracy of a smFRET measurement. We give a detailed study of this change due to the much weaker influence of an interface dividing two materials of different dielectric constants
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