Scanning-exciton optical nanoscopy using a single quantum dot

Zhiyuan Wang; Jiahao Han; Xiaoqi Hou; Jianwei Tang; Weixi Liu; Weiwang Xu; Zhaohua Tian; Hongli Chen; Jinkang Cao; Yaocheng Shi; Haiyan Qin; Xue-Wen Chen

doi:10.1186/s43593-026-00128-x

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Scanning-exciton optical nanoscopy using a single quantum dot

eLight Vol. 6, (2026)

Research Article | Updated：2026-07-21

- Scanning-exciton optical nanoscopy using a single quantum dot
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- DOI：10.1186/s43593-026-00128-x
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- Received：27 October 2025，
  
  Revised：2026-01-29，
  
  Accepted：17 February 2026，
  
  Online First：18 March 2026，
  
  Published：2026-12
- Accepted：
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Zhiyuan Wang, Jiahao Han, Xiaoqi Hou, et al. Scanning-exciton optical nanoscopy using a single quantum dot[J]. eLight, 2026, 6.
DOI：

Zhiyuan Wang, Jiahao Han, Xiaoqi Hou, et al. Scanning-exciton optical nanoscopy using a single quantum dot[J]. eLight, 2026, 6. DOI： 10.1186/s43593-026-00128-x.

摘要

Abstract

Mapping light fields and local density of optical states (LDOS) around nanostructured materials is instrumental for advancing both fundamentals and practical applications in nano-optics

nanomaterial science

and quantum technologies. In particular

LDOS governs key processes such as spontaneous emission

light scattering

van der Waals interactions

and nanoscale heat transfer

yet it remains inaccessible with conventional optical microscopy techniques. Here

we develop scanning-exciton optical nanoscopy to simultaneously map the light intensity and LDOS near plasmonic and dielectric photonic structures with a few-nanometer resolution. By grafting a rationally designed core–shell-shell quantum dot to a silica nanotip

we obtain an ultra-photostable and sensitive scanning quantum probe carrying excitons that are generated and decay at the rates proportional to the local light intensity and LDOS

respectively. We first demonstrate the correlative dual-parameter sensing capability using a model plasmonic structure

and subsequently apply it to uncover previously unobservable nanoscale coupling physics occurring in a plasmonic trimer. Furthermore

we report the first optical mapping of LDOS over a photonic-crystal nanocavity

visualizing the resonant nanocavity mode and its position-dependent coupling with a quantum emitter

essential for quantum photonic applications. Our work demonstrates a transformative technique towards bridging the gap between surface morphology and far-field optical response

and constitutes a platform for exploring light-matter interactions at deep-nanoscale and single-quanta level.

关键词

Keywords

references

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