Time-correlated single photon counting and optical measurement systems for studying single fluorescent emitters under high vacuum conditions

Toshiki Yamada, Kenichi Goushi, Xingsheng Xu, Akira Otomo

Abstract
In this paper, we introduce a modified inverted microscope system in which an objective with high NA (0.95) is located under high-vacuum conditions, and a time-correlated single photon counting system is used along with a modified photomultiplier tube for the characterization of single emitters under high-vacuum conditions. The modified inverted microscope system is designed to be simple, compact, and easy to handle. As an example, the optical properties of individual colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (CdSe/ZnS) were studied by using these systems.

doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2008.09.029