Homodyne Amplified Resonant Rayleigh Polarized Scattering (HARRPS)

Harvard University, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Abstract

In this Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) funded by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry (ASC) and Experimental Physical Chemistry (EPC) programs of the Chemistry Division Prof. Xie of Harvard University and co-workers will develop a new analytical technique to detect single molecules in solution at room temperature. Prof. Xie and his students will measure resonant Rayleigh scattering of single molecules using a homodyne detection system with a controlled local field. Since spectra of resonant Rayleigh scattering are similar to absorption spectra they do offer spectroscopic identities for single molecules. Xie and his students will target single biomolecules during this exploratory study. If successful the new measurement technique will change the way single-molecule experiments are conducted on chemical and biological systems, and open up many new systems for single-molecule studies. This will have a profound impact on the fields of chemistry and biophysics.