Sub-wavelength localization of single molecule emission allows super-resolution imaging in the far-field, in particular upon control of molecule blinking properties. This possibility opened many applications in biology[1]. Accordingly, by inducing and analyzing nanotube photoluminescence blinking [2], far-field super-resolution imaging of exciton luminescence was demonstrated in pristine carbon nanotubes and in addition, the presence of luminescence defects which were undetectable with regular diffraction-limited far-field microscopy, could be revealed [3].

The chemical control of nanotube brightening through the creation of luminescent defects [4] triggered great interest about exciton localization processes in carbon nanotubes as well as great hopes for many applications ranging from quantum optics to biological applications. We will present our current efforts to study luminescent defect localization in carbon nanotube having controlled chemical and morphological properties [5].

References

[1] Godin et al , Biophys. J, (2014).

[2] Cognet et al, Science (2007).

[3] Cognet et al, Nanolett. (2008).

[4] Piao et al Nat. Chem. (2013).

[5] Danné et al in preparation