Theoretical investigation of aspects of single-molecule fluorescence detection in microcapillaries

In the present report, the results of a theoretical investigation of two as pects of single-molecule detection by laser-induced fluorescence in microca pillaries are presented. The two issues studied are the scattering of the e xciting laser beam on the microcapillary and the change of the fluorescence lifetime of the molecule due to the electrodynamic interaction between its fluorescence emission and the confining capillary. Numerical results for e xperimentally relevant conditions are provided. Cytometry 36:195-199, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.