CONFOCAL FLUORESCENCE LIFETIME IMAGING OF CHLOROPHYLL MOLECULES IN POLYMER MATRICES

Confocal fluorescence lifetime imaging has been used to establish the microscopic disposition of chlorophyll molecules in polymer matrices. This study provides a direct test of model proposed on the basis of fl uorescence measurements on bulk films. We show that whereas chlorophyl l b molecules are uniformly distributed in nitrocellulose matrices, th ey form pocket-like structures in polyvinyl alcohol matrices. The shap e of the structures, seen as bright fluorescent spots on a uniform bac kground, is modified on stretching the polyvinyl alcohol matrix.