The Measurement of Singlet Oxygen Lifetime Sensitized Using Rose Bengal

The study of singlet oxygen (1O2) is of interest, principally, as it is a highly reactive species. It can be produced by photosensitisation, usually of a molecule such as a dye or porphyrin. Thus, by the appropriate selection of sensitiser, the presence of oxygen and light, 1O2 can be selectively generated. From a biological aspect it has the ability to damage and destroy cells, which has lead to interest in its use as an anticancer agent in photodynamic therapy (PDT).