Abstract

In this paper we show that the emission of ordinary organic dyes can be controlled in order to increase photostability or to induce long off-states for superresolution microscopy. We therefore extend a recently introduced concept that utilizes triplet-state quenching via redox-reactions and recovery of the electronic ground-state by complementary redox-reactions: it is shown that different reagents in an oxidizing and reducing system (ROXS) can positively influence the fluorescence properties of organic dyes. In more detail, the effects of Trolox, a ferrocene-based compound, an oxidized quinone derivative of Trolox and nitrobenzoic acid are investigated and compared to the prototypical compounds ascorbic acid and N,N methylviologen. While the redox potential is the most important parameter for the realization of the ROXS concept it is demonstrated that also kinetic aspects have to be taken into account to explain the properties of the specific redox agents. Photostabilization and the induction of off-states are of paramount importance for fluorescence microscopy in general and especially for superresolution microscopy based on “blinking” molecules.

© 2009 OSA/SPIE