Photo Properties and Applications of Single Quantum Dots

Abstract

As novel fluorescent nanomaterials , quantum dots ( QDs ) have played important roles in many fields , such as chemical analysis , biology sensor , molecular imaging , ow ing to their excellent optical properties. Studies on the properties of single quantum dots can help to find new experimental phenomenology w hich can ' t be found in the ensemble-approach , provide a mentality to improve the properties of quantum dots , contribute to a better application of quantum dots in various fields. In this review , identifications criterion of single quantum dots , photo -properties ( such as fluorescence enhancement , bleaching , blinking , bluing , etc. ) of single quantum dots , and quantum dots application ( such as single quantum dots tracking , single quantum dots biosensor , super- localization technology ) at single nanoparticle levels are commented. The challenges and existing problems of application of single quantum dots are summarized. In the future , synthesis in quantum dots should simultaneously satisfy many excellent photo -properties , including small size , high quantum yield , non-blinking , lager blue shift range , no -biotoxicty . M eanw hile , plasmonic quantum dots that not only exhibit strong fluorescence , but also become excellent probes for surface plasmon scattering , are another significant research field.