Since their inception, optical detection and spectroscopy of single molecules have steadily expanded to an amazing variety of disciplines in the natural sciences. Domains such as optical microscopy, quantum optics, nanophotonics and soft matter/ material science have all benefited from the new, "average-free" insights provided by the optical isolation of single molecules, quantum dots, metal nanoparticles, and other nanometre-sized objects. The techniques themselves have also made spectacular progress with developments in super-resolution microscopy, time-resolved measurements, absorption-based detection, combination with mechanical or electrical manipulation and recording, live-cell imaging, and metal nanoparticle-phenomena.
Following the Single-Molecule Microscopy and Spectroscopy: Faraday Discussion (September 2015), this book discusses the recent advances and maps out future avenues in the field, covering topics such as quantum optics and plasmonics; probes and sensors for molecular biophysics; super-resolution and imaging of soft and biological matter; and nonlinear optics and coherence in biophysics.