title: Using the near-field coupling of a sharp tip to tune fluorescence-emission fluctuations during quantum-dot blinking.
abstract: We demonstrate that the cycling between internal states of quantum dots during fluorescence blinking can be used to tune the near-field coupling with a sharp tip. In particular, the fluorescence emission from states with high quantum yield is quenched due to energy transfer, while that from low-yield states is elevated due to field enhancement. Thus, as a quantum dot blinks, its emission fluctuations are progressively suppressed upon approach of a tip.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah, 115 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA.
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shafran
authors.forename: Benjamin D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Mangum
authors.forename: Jordan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gerton