Combining gel electrophoresis and fluorescence imaging, a novel experimental approach to simultaneously measure the fluorescence and charge of individual CdSe quantum dots (QDs) is described.  Direct and simultaneous measurements of charge and fluorescence from single QDs can provide key data regarding the underlying mechanism of fluorescence intermittency in these materials (more commonly known as QD blinking).  New results using this technique will be presented and highlight the viability and uniqueness of the integrated approach.  To the best of our knowledge, this technique provides the first direct and simultaneous measurements that correlate changes in electronic charge properties with changes in optical propeties at the single QD level, and can be used to test prominent theories that describe single QD fluorescence blinking.

Integrated gel electrophoresis and single molecule fluorescence imaging: A novel approach to investigate quantum dot fluorescence blinking

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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