Abstract
We characterized a series of dimethylamino-stilbene derivatives as standards for time-domain and frequency-domain lifetime measurements. The substances have reasonable quantum yields, are soluble in solvents available with a high purity, and do not show significant sensitivity to oxygen quenching. All the fluorophores displayed single exponential intensity decays, as characterized by frequency-domain measurements to 10 GHz. The decay times vary from 880 to 57 ps, depending on structure, solvent, and temperature, which is a useful range for modern picosecond time-domain or gigahertz frequency-domain instruments. These fluorophores may be used either to test an instrument or as reference compounds to eliminate color effects. We also characterized two-fluorophore mixtures, with the decay times spaced twofold (150 and 300 ps), with varying proportions. These mixtures are useful for testing the resolution of other time- and frequency-domain instrumentation. The excitation wavelength ranges from 260 to 430 nm, and the emission from 350 to 550 nm. The decay times are independent of the excitation and emission wavelengths.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
G. R. Fleming (1986)Chemical Applications of Ultrafast Spectroscopy, Oxford University Press, New York.
D. M. Jameson and G. D. Reinhart (1986)Fluorescent Biomolecules. Methodologies and Applications. Plenum Press, New York.
J. R. Lakowicz (Ed.)Time-Resolved Laser Spectroscopy in Biochemistry II, SPIE, 1204, Bellingham Wash.
J. N. Demas (1983)Excited State Lifetime Measurements, Academic Press, New York.
D. V. O'Connor and D. Phillips (1984)Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting, Academic Press, Florida.
E. Gratton and M. Limkeman (1983)Biophys. J. 44, 315–324.
J. R. Lakowicz and B. P. Maliwal (1985)Biophys. Chem. 21, 61–78.
K. W. Berndt, I. Gryczynski, and J. R. Lakowicz (1991)Anal. Biochem. 192, 131–137.
J. R. Lakowicz, G. Laczko, and I. Gryczynski (1986)Rev. Sci. Instrum. 57, 2499–2506.
G. Laczko, I. Gryczynski, Z. Gryczynski, W. Wiczk, H. Malak, and J. R. Lakowicz (1990)Rev. Sci. Instrum 61(9), 2331–2337.
A. Grinvald (1976),Anal. Biochem. 75, 260–280.
R. A. Lampert, L. A. Chewter, D. Phillips, D. V. O'Connor, A. J. Roberts, and S. R. Meech (1983)Anal. Chem. 55, 68–73.
N. Boens, N. Tamai, I. Yamazaki, and T. Yamazaki (1990)Photochem. Photobiol. 52(4), 911–917.
R. B. Thompson and E. Gratton (1988)Anal. Chem. 60, 670–674.
D. Manzerall, P. P. Ho, and R. R. Alfano (1985)Photochem. Photobiol. 42(2), 183–186.
J. R. Lakowicz, H. Cherek, and A. Balter (1981)J. Biochem. Biophys. Meth. 5, 131–146.
S. Kinoshita and T. Kushida (1981)Rev. Sci. Instrum. 53(4), 469–472.
D. M. Rayner, A. E. McKinnon, and A. G. Szabo (1976)Can. J. Chem. 54, 3246–3259.
R. K. Bauer and A. Balter (1979)Opt. Commun. 28, 91–96.
D. V. O'Connor, S. R. Meech, and D. Phillips (1982)Chem. Phys. Lett. 88(1), 22–26.
R. F. Chen (1974)Anal. Biochem. 57, 593–604.
D. A. Barrow and B. R. Lentz (1983)J. Biochem. Biophys. Meth. 7, 217–234.
G. R. Holtom (1990) in J. R. Lakowicz, (Ed.),Time-Resolved Laser Spectroscopy in Biochemistry II, SPIE 1204, Bellingham, Wash., pp. 2–12.
R. D. Spencer and G. Weber (1990)J. Chem. Phys. 52, 1654–1663.
A. Safarzadeh-Amir (1986)Chem. Phys. Lett. 125, 272–278.
P. R. Bevington (1969)Data Reduction and Error Analysis for the Physical Sciences, McGraw-Hill, New York.
J. R. Lakowicz, E. Gratton, G. Laczko, H. Cherek, and M. Limkemann (1984)Biophys. J. 46, 463–477.
E. Gratton, J. R. Lakowicz, B. Maliwal, H. Cherek, G. Laczko, and M. Limkemann (1984)Biophys. J. 46, 479–486.
I. Gryczynski, D. Gloyna, and A. Kawski (1980)Z. Naturforsch. 35a, 777–778.
D. Gloyna, A. Kawski, and I. Gryczynski (1980)Z. Naturforsch 35a, 1192–1196.
D. Gloyna, A. Kawski, and I. Gryczynski (1980)Z. Naturforsch. 35a, 1411–1414.
D. Gloyna, A. Kawski, I. Gryczynski and H. Cherek (1987)Chem. Month. 118, 759–772.
E. A. Bailey and G. K. Rollefson (1953)J. Chem. Phys. 21, 1315–1326.
A. Haddow, R. J. G. Harris, G. A. R. Kon, and E. M. F. Roc (1948)Philos. Trans. Roy. Soc. (London) Ser. A 241, 147–159.
E. Lippert and F. Moll (1954)Z. Elektrochem. 58, 718–726.
H. Bredereck, G. Simchen, and W. Griebanow (1973)Chem. Ber. 106, 3732–3738.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lakowicz, J.R., Gryczynski, I., Laczko, G. et al. Picosescond fluorescence lifetime standards for frequency- and time-domain fluorescence. J Fluoresc 1, 87–93 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00865204
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00865204