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Nanodiamond arrays on glass for quantification and fluorescence characterisation
Ashleigh H Heffernan1, Andrew D Greentree2, Brant C Gibson2
1ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, 3001, Australia. ashleigh.heffernan@rmit.edu.au.
Scientific Reports
|August 25, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a method to precisely position fluorescent nanodiamonds using directed self-assembly. This technique allows for statistical quantification of their fluorescence lifetimes, crucial for advanced photonic devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Quantum Optics
Background:
- Quantifying emission variations in fluorescent nanodiamonds is key for their application development.
- Directed self-assembly offers precise nanodiamond positioning for accurate measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a method for statistically quantifying fluorescent lifetimes of nanodiamonds.
- To enable the fabrication of hybrid photonic devices through precise nanodiamond arrangement.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of nanodiamond arrays using electron beam lithography patterned photoresist.
- Deposition of nanodiamonds into pre-determined apertures via drop-casting.
- Characterization using electron microscopy for deposition yield and confocal microscopy for fluorescence lifetime analysis.
Main Results:
- Achieved a 90% average deposition yield of nanodiamonds across 3,376 array sites.
- Observed an average of 20 nanodiamonds per populated site.
- Measured a broad distribution of fluorescent lifetimes, consistent with existing literature.
Conclusions:
- The developed array-based method enables statistically robust quantification of fluorescent nanoparticle properties.
- This technique is a significant step towards fabricating advanced hybrid photonic devices for quantum technologies and sensing.
