ZweiphotonenFluoreszenzMikroskopie

Zweiphotonenfluorescence (ZPF) is a phenomenon in which two photons are simultaneously emitted from a molecule or atom, typically following the absorption of a single photon. This process is a form of fluorescence, where the absorbed energy is re-emitted as light. ZPF is a second-order nonlinear optical process, meaning it involves the interaction of two photons with the material.

The mechanism behind ZPF involves the absorption of a photon, which excites an electron to a higher energy level. This excited state can then decay to a lower energy level, emitting two photons simultaneously. The emitted photons have the same energy as the absorbed photon, but their polarization and phase are correlated.

ZPF has several applications in various fields. In spectroscopy, it is used to study molecular interactions and dynamics. In imaging, it is used for high-resolution microscopy and imaging of biological samples. In quantum optics, it is used for the generation of entangled photon pairs, which have applications in quantum computing and quantum communication.

ZPF is a complex process that involves the interaction of light with matter at the quantum level. It is a topic of ongoing research, with scientists working to understand the fundamental mechanisms behind the process and to develop new applications for it.