Measuring 3D orientation of nanocrystals via polarized luminescence of rare-earth dopants

Jeongmo Kim, Reinaldo Chacón, Zijun Wang, Eric Larquet, Khalid Lahlil, Aymeric Leray, Gérard Colas-des-Francs, Jongwook Kim () and Thierry Gacoin
Additional contact information
Jeongmo Kim: Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Reinaldo Chacón: Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 9 Avenue Savary, BP 47870
Zijun Wang: Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Eric Larquet: Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Khalid Lahlil: Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Aymeric Leray: Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 9 Avenue Savary, BP 47870
Gérard Colas-des-Francs: Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 9 Avenue Savary, BP 47870
Jongwook Kim: Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Thierry Gacoin: Institut Polytechnique de Paris

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Orientation of nanoscale objects can be measured by examining the polarized emission of optical probes. To retrieve a three-dimensional (3D) orientation, it has been essential to observe the probe (a dipole) along multiple viewing angles and scan with a rotating analyzer. However, this method requires a sophisticated optical setup and is subject to various external sources of error. Here, we present a fundamentally different approach employing coupled multiple emission dipoles that are inherent in lanthanide-doped phosphors. Simultaneous observation of different dipoles and comparison of their relative intensities allow to determine the 3D orientation from a single viewing angle. Moreover, the distinct natures of electric and magnetic dipoles originating in lanthanide luminescence enable an instant orientation analysis with a single-shot emission spectrum. We demonstrate a straightforward orientation analysis of Eu3+-doped NaYF4 nanocrystals using a conventional fluorescence microscope. Direct imaging of the rod-shaped nanocrystals proved the high accuracy of the measurement. This methodology would provide insights into the mechanical behaviors of various nano- and biomolecular systems.

Date: 2021
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-22158-4 Abstract (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-22158-4

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22158-4

Access Statistics for this article

Nature Communications is currently edited by Nathalie Le Bot, Enda Bergin and Fiona Gillespie

More articles in Nature Communications from Nature
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().