Quantum dots (QDs) are a novel class of inorganic fluorochromes composed of nanometer-scale crystals made of a semiconductor material. They are resistant to photo-bleaching, have narrow excitation and emission wavelengths that can be controlled by particle size and thus have the potential for multiplexing experiments. Given the remarkable optical properties that quantum dots possess, they have ...

We study numerically the Berry phase in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) that is induced by letting the dots to move adiabatically in a closed loop in the 2D plane along the circular trajectory. We show that the Berry phase is highly sensitive to the Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit lengths. Based on the Finite Element Method, we solve the Schrödinger equation and investigate the evolution of ...

An optically stable, novel class of fluorophores (quantum dots) for in situ hybridisation analysis was tested to investigate their signal stability and intensity in plant chromosome analyses. Detection of hybridisation sites in situ was based on fluorescence from streptavidin-linked inorganic crystals of cadmium selenide. Comparison of quantum dots (QDs) with conventional detection systems (Ale...

We have examined steady-state and time-resolved luminescence properties of CdS:Te quantum dots (QDs). The transient emission spectra have a red shift along the emission process. Using singular value decomposition and multiexponential decay analysis, the luminescence is found to originate from two distinct and parallel channels: band-edge excitonic emission and trapping state emission. With incr...

A new method in differentiation of chiral molecules is reported based on the fluorescence quenching of functionalized CdS quantum dots (CdS-QDs) as nanosensor by differing in the chirality of functionalization species. The chemically functionalized CdS-QDs with strong yellow emission were prepared using chiral L-cysteine (L-Cyst) and D-cysteine (D-Cyst) molecules. Then, the functionalized CdS-Q...

We developed methods to solubilize, coat, and functionalize with NeutrAvidin elongated semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum nanorods, QRs) for use in single molecule polarized fluorescence microscopy. Three different ligands were compared with regard to efficacy for attaching NeutrAvidin using the "zero-length cross-linker" 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodiimide (EDC). Biotin-4-fluoresc...

Amorphous silicon quantum dots (a-Si QDs) were grown in a silicon nitride film by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Transmission electron micrographs clearly demonstrated that a-Si QDs were formed in the silicon nitride. Photoluminescence and optical absorption energy measurement of a-Si QDs with various sizes revealed that tuning of the photoluminescence emission from 2.0 to 2.76 eV i...

When CdSe/ZnS-polyethyleneimine (PEI) quantum dots (QDs) are microencapsulated in polymeric microcapsules, human fibroblasts are protected from acute cytotoxic effects. Differences in cellular morphology, uptake, and viability were assessed after treatment with either microencapsulated or unencapsulated dots. Specifically, QDs contained in microcapsules terminated with polyethylene glycol (PEG)...

We have demonstrated a polymer mediated "bricks and mortar" method for the self-assembly of quantum dots (QDs). This strategy allows QDs to self-assemble into structured aggregates using complementary three-point hydrogen bonding. The resulting nanocomposites have distinct morphologies and inter-particle distances based on the ratio between QDs and polymer. Time resolved photoluminescence measu...

Quantum dots (QDs) have not been used to label cytoskeleton structure of live cells owing to limitations in delivery strategies, and QDs conjugation methods and issues with nonspecific binding. We conjugated tubulin to QDs and applied the emerging method of photothermal nanoblade to deliver QD-tubulin conjugates into live Hela cells. This method will open new opportunities for cytosolic target...