Analysis of quantum rod diffusion by polarized fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

To measure the polarization dependence of fluorescent probes, a confocal-microscope-based polarized fluorescence correlation spectroscopy system was developed, and the polarization dependence on the rotational diffusion of well-defined quantum rods (Qrods) was investigated and characterized. The rotational diffusion region of the Qrods was observed over a time range of less than 10(-5) s in a water solution, and the rotational diffusion parameters were extracted using a rotational diffusion model in which the viscosity of the solution media was varied. Our work demonstrated that polarized fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is useful for investigating both the rotational and translational diffusion of fluorescent probes.