Eur. Phys. J. D (2013) 67: 160
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2013-30758-5

Regular Article

Polarization-shaped laser pulses for improved fluorescence anisotropy contrast

Institut für Experimentalphysik, Freie Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany

^a e-mail: achazi@physik.fu-berlin.de

Received: 18 December 2012
Received in final form: 19 April 2013
Published online: 1 August 2013

Abstract

We present a method to change the fluorescence contrast between two dyes with high fluorescence anisotropy in the same solution under different polarization directions by using polarization-shaped pulses. First a theoretical relationship between contrast, anisotropy and polarization is derived for this case. Then the wavelength dependent polarization anisotropy and the change of contrast by phase-shaping for a solution of Rhodamine B and Stilbene 3 in glycerol is shown. Finally, the application of the polarization-shaped pulses is demonstrated.