Figure 1.

Unique optical properties of quantum dots (QDs). (a) Fluorescence image of vials containing QDs of increasing size (left to right). The size-dependent properties of nanocrystals allow for the synthesis of fluorescent probes with emissions covering the entire visible–to–near-IR wavelength range. (b) (Top) Fluorescence and (bottom) absorbance spectra of green and red QDs. Narrow and symmetric fluorescence spectra enable accurate modeling for deconvolution and spectral unmixing to differentiate probes with significant emission overlaps. The absorbance spectra show a broad absorption profile, which enables a wide wavelength range for excitation and a single excitation source for multiple QD colors.