Cathodoluminescence and Fluorescent Bioimaging with Using Rare-Earth Doped Nanophorspohrs

Hirohiko Niioka, Taichi Furukawa and Mamoru Hashimoto

Abstract: Fluorescent microscopy techniques allow to obtain multicolor cellular images by using a variety of fluorescent probes which can selectively visualize molecular species. It is expected that electron microscopy could generate color images of distinct single molecules with high spatial resolution. We synthesized rare-earth doped Y₂O₃ nanophosphors which emit cathodoluminescence (CL) in 3 different colors under electron beam excitation. These nanophosphores emit fluorescence by UV light excitation which indicates their potential for fluorescent imaging as well. In this manuscript, we explain the synthesis method and applications of nanophosphors using electron and fluorescent microscopy.

Key words: cathodoluminescence microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, bioimaging, fluorescent probe