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PI Physik Instrumente - Revolution In Photonics Align LW LB 3/24

Quantum dots switch neurons on, off

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Ashley N. Paddock, [email protected]

Light from electrons confined by quantum dots has been used to activate and control targeted brain neurons. The method demonstrates a noninvasive way to study how cells communicate and how specific cells may contribute to brain disorders. It also offers an alternative to electrodes on the scalp or implanted within the brain that deliver zaps of electricity for cell stimulation. Unfortunately, these electrodes activate large areas of neural territory made up of thousands or even millions of cell types. This makes it impossible to target the behavior of particular cells or cell types to...Read full article

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    Published: April 2012
    Glossary
    nano
    An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
    quantum dots
    A quantum dot is a nanoscale semiconductor structure, typically composed of materials like cadmium selenide or indium arsenide, that exhibits unique quantum mechanical properties. These properties arise from the confinement of electrons within the dot, leading to discrete energy levels, or "quantization" of energy, similar to the behavior of individual atoms or molecules. Quantum dots have a size on the order of a few nanometers and can emit or absorb photons (light) with precise wavelengths,...
    AlzheimersAmericasBiophotonicsBioScanbrain cell stimulationbrain disordersbrain neuronscell probingConsumerdepressionelectrode stimulationenergyFred Riekelight stimulationlight-sensitive proteinsLih Y. Linmedical imagingnanoneuron excitationNewsnon-invasiveoptical displaysOpticsParkinson’s diseasephotostimulationquantum dotssilicon quantum dotssolar cellsStanford UniversityUniversity of WashingtonWashingtonLasersLEDs

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