Single-molecule detectors

What is it about?

This paper reviews our recent work on detector development for single-molecule detection. We have explored different technologies available today to help increase the throughput of single-molecule detection as well as increase the temporal resolution of this detection: 1) avalanche diode arrays in both custom and CMOS technologies, 2) hybrid detector arrays and 3) position-sensitive photomultipliers. These are all photon-counting devices with distinct advantages and limitations discussed here.

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Why is it important?

Single-molecule observation allows for the ultimate level of understanding of the laws of nature. Not surprisingly however, it is a rather challenging task. Even though the pioneering work of the past few decades has made it practical for many labs to incorporate single-molecule techniques in their toolbox, these techniques remain rather tedious because of their low throughput. Our effort to remedy this bottleneck has been focused on new detectors, which we described in this review paper.