Determining the Full Three‐Dimensional Orientation of Single Anisotropic Nanoparticles by Differential Interference Contrast Microscopy

Abstract

Keeping track: By combining differential interference contrast (DIC) image pattern recognition with DIC polarization anisotropy, the exact full three-dimensional angular information of individual tilted gold nanorods positioned in the focal plane of the objective lens can be readily determined. The angular rotational modes and kinetics of individual in-focus gold nanorods can thus be resolved dynamically.

Fabrication of Ion-Shaped Anisotropic Nanoparticles and their Orientational Imaging by Second-Harmonic Generation Microscopy

“…In the case of metallic nanoparticles, the optical properties arise from the collective oscillations of their conduction electrons, which give rise to localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR)2829. Among the optical methods for orientation detection, some are based on the detection of the scattering and/or absorption of light by the nanoparticles using, e.g., dark field microscopy3031, confocal microscopy3233 or differential interference contrast microscopy3435. Other techniques for this purpose are based on the detection of fluorescence1536 or Raman scattering13.…”

Characteristic image patterns of single anisotropic plasmonic nanoparticles embedded in a gel matrix

“…From the correlated DF and DIC images (Fig. 21 To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to show the characteristic scattering images correlated with the characteristic interference images for the same AuNRs. 4C).…”

Single molecule optical measurements of orientation and rotations of biological macromolecules

“…As θ p decreases toward the optical axis, the contrast decreases toward zero. A limitation of this technique is that the interference patterns become very complex for θ p < 45° [121], limiting the precision of determining θ p .…”