Fluorophore probes, microscopy studies

The revelation that monolayers exhibited a rich and varied microstructure of coexisting domains in the microns-to-millimeter size range was first revealed by the application of fluorescence microscopy to monolayers of phospholipids and subsequent application to monolayers of fatty acids and their esters." The fluorescence microscopy technique requires the introduction of a small percentage of a fluorophore-labeled lipid or amphiphile to provide contrast between coexisting phases. The orientation of the fluorescent probe has also been exploited successfully in many cases to image regions of varying amphiphile tilt orientation relative to the interface. The method of fluorescence microscopy has limitations with respect to monolayer studies of supermolecules for example, it is unlikely that... 

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