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School of Physical and Chemical Sciences

DNA origami-quantum dot hybrids for imaging and quantum information

Research Group: Center for Condensed Matter Physics

Funding

This project has been supported by the Faculty for CONACyT and/or Colfuturo funding. If you wish to discuss this or be considered for another funding route, please contact the supervisor [a.sapelkin@qmul.ac.uk].

Project Description

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are nanoscale semiconductor crystals that exhibit quantum confinement effects due to small particle size. When terminated with surface ligands, that enable their functionalisation, QDs can be delivered to target locations with high precision. We have recently shown [https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201603042, also recent submission to Small Methods] that these systems can be efficiently coupled to carbon nanotubes and DNA origami structures with nanoscale precision. In the case of DNA origami, nanoscale arrays of QDs can be constructed in a scalable approach. Furthermore, the location of QDs on the DNA origami template can be controlled with nanometre precision. Such periodic arrays of QDs facilitate wave function engineering to control the spatial distribution of charge and spin states and thus the energy and dynamics of QD optical transitions. As a consequence, such optically addressable qubits find applications in emerging quantum computation, biosensing and communication technologies, as robust sources of indistinguishable, single photons with tuneable emission. With this project we aim to develop, test and optimise the methodology for construction of small periodic triangular arrays for bio-sensing and to extend the DNA-origami/QD hybrid technology to the large-scale DNA-based templates. Array structure, electronic and optical properties of these systems will be investigated using AFM, Raman and light emission techniques, including effect of QD proximity on blinking dynamics and PL lifetime for the purpose of analyte detection. The overall aim of this study will be to assess the effect of QD proximity and band-gap mixing (multiplexing QDs with a range of band-gaps) on the array ability for sensing and on its photonic properties for the purpose of band-gap engineering for bio-medical applications.

SPCS Academics: Dr Andrei Sapelkin