Strong two-photon-fluorescence from semiconducting polymer nanoparticles for high contrast imaging of cancerous cells

ORAL

Abstract

Strong two-photon-induced fluorescence was observed from a series of novel fluorescent semiconducting polymer nanoparticles using femtosecond laser pulses at 800 nm. The conjugated polymer nanoparticles were fabricated by a simple technique known as the ``mini emulsion'' technique. The quadratic dependence of the two-photon-fluorescence was confirmed by varying the laser intensity. The two-photon-absorption cross- sections of the nanoparticles were determined in aqueous dispersions by comparing with that of Rhodamine 6G. The deep penetration of the near-infrared laser together with large absorption cross-section demonstrated here, renders these fluorescent polymer nanoparticles as ideal candidates for high contrast in vivo fluorescent imaging of certain tumor cells.

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Authors

  • Soumitra Satapathi

    • Department of Physics and Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, 01854

  • Anoop Pal

    • Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Program, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, 01854

  • Lian Li

    • US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development \& Engineering Center, Natick, MA, 01760

  • Suresh Gadde

    • Nanodelivery Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115

  • Dhimiter Bello

    • Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Program, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, 01854

  • Lynne Samuelson

    • University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, 01854

  • Jayant Kumar

    • University of Massachusetts Lowell
    • Department of Physics and Applied Physics, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, 01854