Nanophotonic control of Forster Resonance Energy Transfer

TL;DR

This study experimentally investigates how nanophotonic environments, specifically the local density of optical states, influence FRET efficiency and rates by placing FRET systems at controlled distances from a metallic mirror.

Contribution

It provides detailed experimental insights into controlling FRET through nanophotonic modifications of the environment, a novel approach for tuning energy transfer processes.

Findings

FRET rate varies with local density of optical states

FRET efficiency can be modulated by nanophotonic environment

Lifetimes of donor molecules are affected by proximity to metallic mirrors

Abstract

Here we report on the experimental details of a study on the influence of the photonic environment on the emission of a FRET system. We modified the local density of optical states (LDOS) by placing the FRET system at precisely defined distances to a metallic mirror. We measured the energy donor lifetime in the presence of the FRET acceptor and the lifetime of an identical sample lacking an acceptor fluorophore for different LDOS. From the lifetimes we determined the FRET rate as well as the FRET efficiency for each sampled LDOS.