Total Internal Reflection Microscopy Literature References

Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) is based on the phenomenon that occurs when light passes from a high-refractive index medium (such as glass) into a lower refractive index medium (such as water). At a specific critical angle, the beam of light is totally reflected from the glass/water interface and generates a very thin electromagnetic field in the aqueous medium that has an identical frequency to that of the incident light. This field, termed an evanescent wave, undergoes exponential intensity decay with increasing distance from the interface. TIRF microscopy is used to investigate the interaction of molecules with surfaces, an area that is of fundamental importance to a wide spectrum of disciplines in cell and molecular biology.