Exploring the limits of single emitter detection in fluorescence and extinction

TL;DR

This paper compares fluorescence and extinction spectroscopy for detecting single emitters, showing extinction can be more effective for weakly excited emitters and highlighting its potential for weakly emitting systems like rare earth ions.

Contribution

It provides both experimental and theoretical insights into the signal-to-noise ratios of fluorescence versus extinction spectroscopy for single emitters, emphasizing the advantages of extinction in certain conditions.

Findings

Extinction measurements can outperform fluorescence for weak excitation.

Extinction spectroscopy is promising for detecting weakly emitting systems.

Theoretical analysis supports experimental observations.

Abstract

We present an experimental comparison and a theoretical analysis of the signal-to-noise ratios in fluorescence and extinction spectroscopy of a single emitter. We show that extinction measurements can be advantageous if the emitter is weakly excited. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of this method for the detection and spectroscopy of weakly emitting systems such as rare earth ions.