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Tracking the Dynamics of Single Quantum Dots: Beating the Optical Resolution Twice

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Abstract

Using particle tracking routines the location of single point light sources can be determined with an accuracy of a few nanometers. By using quantum dots (QDs) emitting at different wavelengths, the measurement of the distance between these point light sources, which are closer than the optical resolution of 200-nm, was achieved. The nanocrystals have major advantages over conventional chromophores in higher quantum yield, more photostability, and the possibility of different emission wavelengths by an excitation with a single wavelength. The colocalization of two single QDs at the least distance of 40-nm can be measured with a standard deviation of 5-nm and a time resolution of 117-ms using one excitation wavelength.

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Bausch, A., Weitz, D. Tracking the Dynamics of Single Quantum Dots: Beating the Optical Resolution Twice. Journal of Nanoparticle Research 4, 477–481 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022886503060

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022886503060

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