Blinking quantum dots: Statistics through image analysis

Abstract: In this project we have developed an image processing program called Quantum Dot Analyzer that is able to detect and record quantum dot blinking sequences. Our purpose with the program was to analyze blinking quantum dots and to generate statistics for further research. With the program we can record the size, blinking intensity over time for quantum dots and do statistics of on- and off-times. We have used Java, ImageJ1 and Matlab in the development process. Java is a widely used object-oriented programming language notable for its portability. ImageJ is a public domain image processing program based on Java. For generating statistics we used Matlab, which is a mathematical computing program. The Quantum Dot Analyzer was made to be used as a plugin for ImageJ. The quantum dots show dfferent characteristics - some blinks, some are constantly on, some are off for a long time and then suddenly flash a quick light. By plotting the on- and off-time (logarithmically) for the quantum dots, we could conclude that the quantum dots show very different behaviour.