Fluorescence: A relaxation process in which the molecule relaxes by
reemitting light, generally of lower energy than the light it
absorbed. More specifically, it refers to the light emitted when an
electronic transition occurs between electronic states of the same
spin multiplicity (e.g., singlet-singlet transitions).
Fluorescence interference contrast microscopy (FLIC): Monitors the
calculable modulation of fluorescence intensity due to the interaction between a reflecting surface and fluorescent objects in
order to attain nanometer-accurate height measurements. In this
method, a film on a reflective surface is capped with a fluorescently tagged entity and the assembly’s size is quantified based on
the specific interaction between the surface and fluorophore.
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET): Mechanism of energy
transfer between chromophores whereby an excited donor
transfers an electron over a short (<10 nm) distance to an acceptor
molecule through dipole−dipole coupling.
Fluorophore: Fluorescent unit of a molecule, which absorbs and emits
energy at a specific wavelength. Fluorophores are a type of
chromophore.
Förster transfer: A type of excitation transfer involving interactions
between transition dipoles in two different states.
Fractal: Geometric shape that can be split into sections that are at least
partially identical to a smaller replica of the entire structure.
Free electron model: In this model, the electron does not exist as a
discrete particle moving along the line. Rather, it resembles a
standing wave whose exact form depends on the value of n.
Functional nanoassembly: A nanoscale structure consisting of multiple
molecules/materials or large molecules with multiple components that is capable of performing a task when interacting with
another molecule and/or provided with energy (e.g., light or
electrical energy).
Fundamental vibrational frequency: The lowest vibrational frequency
for a system (e.g., the v = 0 to v = 1 transition for a harmonic
oscillator). It is the natural frequency of vibration of a system
undergoing harmonic motion.
Glossary
443
reemitting light, generally of lower energy than the light it
absorbed. More specifically, it refers to the light emitted when an
electronic transition occurs between electronic states of the same
spin multiplicity (e.g., singlet-singlet transitions).
Fluorescence interference contrast microscopy (FLIC): Monitors the
calculable modulation of fluorescence intensity due to the interaction between a reflecting surface and fluorescent objects in
order to attain nanometer-accurate height measurements. In this
method, a film on a reflective surface is capped with a fluorescently tagged entity and the assembly’s size is quantified based on
the specific interaction between the surface and fluorophore.
Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET): Mechanism of energy
transfer between chromophores whereby an excited donor
transfers an electron over a short (<10 nm) distance to an acceptor
molecule through dipole−dipole coupling.
Fluorophore: Fluorescent unit of a molecule, which absorbs and emits
energy at a specific wavelength. Fluorophores are a type of
chromophore.
Förster transfer: A type of excitation transfer involving interactions
between transition dipoles in two different states.
Fractal: Geometric shape that can be split into sections that are at least
partially identical to a smaller replica of the entire structure.
Free electron model: In this model, the electron does not exist as a
discrete particle moving along the line. Rather, it resembles a
standing wave whose exact form depends on the value of n.
Functional nanoassembly: A nanoscale structure consisting of multiple
molecules/materials or large molecules with multiple components that is capable of performing a task when interacting with
another molecule and/or provided with energy (e.g., light or
electrical energy).
Fundamental vibrational frequency: The lowest vibrational frequency
for a system (e.g., the v = 0 to v = 1 transition for a harmonic
oscillator). It is the natural frequency of vibration of a system
undergoing harmonic motion.
Glossary
443