title: Fluorescence spectroscopy of single lead sulfide quantum dots.
abstract: We report the observation of fluorescence from single PbS quantum dots (QDs) using confocal microscopy in an inert atmosphere. Single PbS QDs exhibit a narrowing of the fluorescence line width (relative to the ensemble) and fluorescence intermittency ("blinking"), consistent with the properties of other single QDs. However, single-particle line widths averaged 100 meV, indicating a significant homogeneous component to the ensemble line width. In addition, the duration of an on/off blinking event has a probability density that decays according to an inverse power law, indicating a broad distribution of kinetic rates to multiple on/off states.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, New York 14627, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Todd D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Krauss