Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system for enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio in emission detection comprising: selecting a probe capable of at least one of fluorescence, phosphorescence, or delayed fluorescence in or about a sample that comprises interfering background signal; and exposing the probe to one or more controllable bursts, each burst comprising two or more pulses, wherein the one or more controllable bursts of high repetition energy pulses enhance the signal from the probe above that of the background signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides partially fluorescent nanoparticles and methods of making and using the partially fluorescent nanoparticle having a nanoparticle with a matrix and a fluorescent dye dispersed in or about the matrix, wherein at least a portion of the fluorescent dye has been anisotropically bleached.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system for enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio in emission detection comprising: selecting a probe capable of at least one of fluorescence, phosphorescence, or delayed fluorescence in or about a sample that comprises interfering background signal; and exposing the probe to one or more controllable bursts, each burst comprising two or more pulses, wherein the one or more controllable bursts of high repetition energy pulses enhance the signal from the probe above that of the background signal.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for ratiometric detection of analytes by surface plasmon coupled emission detection that includes disposing a target on the metal layer of a surface plasmon resonance detection system; coupling a first analyte to a first fluorescent dye and a second analyte to a second fluorescent dye; contacting the first and second analytes to the target on the surface plasmon resonance detection system; and measuring the intensity of a first and a second surface plasmon resonance enhanced fluorescence emission ring, wherein the first and second rings, respectively, quantitatively represents the amount of first and second analyte within 50 nanometers of the metal surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides partially fluorescent nanoparticles and methods of making and using the partially fluorescent nanoparticle having a nanoparticle with a matrix and a fluorescent dye dispersed in or about the matrix, wherein at least a portion of the fluorescent dye has been anisotropically bleached.

Abstract: The present invention includes a microscope and a method for using the microscope for single molecule with reduced photobleaching of a fluorophore (20) that includes a light translucent material (16); a metal layer (18) disposed on the light translucent material (16); a medium (15) disposed on the metal layer (18), the medium (15) having one or more fluorophores (20) capable of binding a target analyte (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention describes the development of thin film calibration strips for microscopy/spectroscopy systems and a simple method/routine to conduct instrument calibration using partially (uniaxially) oriented strip to calibrate microscopy system without the prior knowledge of exact polarization of the strip. The invention describes results from studies including a styryl derivative (LDS 798) embedded in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) film. These films were progressively stretched up to 8 folds. Vertical and horizontal components of absorptions and fluorescence were measured and dichroic ratios were determined for different film stretching ratios. The stretched films have high polarization values for isotropic excitation. The isotropic and stretched PVA films doped with LDS 798 can be used as etalons in near infra red (NIR) spectroscopic measurements.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for ratiometric detection of analytes by surface plasmon coupled emission detection that includes disposing a target on the metal layer of a surface plasmon resonance detection system; coupling a first analyte to a first fluorescent dye and a second analyte to a second fluorescent dye; contacting the first and second analytes to the target on the surface plasmon resonance detection system; and measuring the intensity of a first and a second surface plasmon resonance enhanced fluorescence emission ring, wherein the first and second rings, respectively, quantitatively represents the amount of first and second analyte within 50 nanometers of the metal surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes a microscope and a method for using the microscope for single molecule with reduced photobleaching of a fluorophore (20) that includes a light translucent material (16); a metal layer (18) disposed on the light translucent material (16); a medium (15) disposed on the metal layer (18), the medium (15) having one or more fluorophores (20) capable of binding a target analyte (e.g.