Preselectable Optical Fingerprints of Heterogeneous Upconversion Nanoparticles.
Jiayan Liao1, Jiajia Zhou1, Yiliao Song2
1Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices (IBMD), Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia.
Nano Letters
|August 18, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed nanoscale "τ²-dots" using upconversion nanoparticles. These nanotags offer unique time-domain optical fingerprints, enabling multiplexed nanoscale applications like advanced data storage and single-molecule assays.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Optical Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Controlling optical uniformity and diversity of single nanoparticles is crucial for nanoscale applications.
- Existing optical multiplexing techniques are limited in spatial and temporal resolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To resolve the entire lifetime profile (τ² profile) of single upconversion nanoparticles.
- To demonstrate the creation of time-domain optical fingerprints using nanophotonic upconversion schemes.
- To develop individually preselectable nanotags for diverse nanoscale applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing confocal, wide-field, and super-resolution microscopy to resolve nanoparticle lifetime profiles.
- Employing nanophotonic upconversion schemes such as interfacial energy migration and surface quencher isolation.
- Integrating excitation wavelength, emission color, and τ² profile into nanoscale derivatives (τ²-dots).
Main Results:
- Successfully resolved the entire lifetime profile (τ² profile) of single upconversion nanoparticles.
- Demonstrated the creation of time-domain optical fingerprints through various upconversion schemes.
- Developed nanoscale derivatives (τ²-dots) with multiple dimensions for preselection.
Conclusions:
- Advances in spatial and temporal resolution enable nanoscale optical multiplexing.
- Time-domain optical fingerprints offer a new dimension for nanoparticle characterization.
- Individually preselectable nanotags (τ²-dots) open new possibilities for sub-diffraction-limit data storage, high-throughput assays, and super-resolution imaging.
