Lorentzian spatial intensity distribution in one-photon fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

The theory of autocorrelation-function evaluation in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy is applied to a Lorentzian intensity distribution. An analytical solution to the autocorrelation function for diffusion is deduced for this spatial distribution. Experimental investigation of the distribution is performed using an enlarged detector aperture in a standard confocal setup. The data from the experiment are fitted to the derived autocorrelation function, and a reasonable estimate of the spatial distribution is provided. Estimates are also compared to values computed by molecular detection efficiency simulation. The use of Lorentzian intensity distributions complements conditions where a Gaussian intensity distribution applies, expanding the applicability range of analytical correlation functions.