High-Yield Assembly of Plasmon-Coupled Nanodiamonds via DNA Origami for Tailored Emission
Authors:
Niklas Hansen,
Jakub Copak,
Marek Kindermann,
David Roesel,
Federica Scollo,
Ilko Bald,
Petr Cigler,
Vladimira Petrakova
Abstract:
Controlling the spatial arrangement of optically active elements is crucial for the advancement of engineered photonic systems. Color centers in nanodiamond offer unique advantages for quantum sensing and information processing; however, their integration into complex optical architectures is limited by challenges in precise and reproducible positioning, as well as efficient coupling. DNA origami…
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Controlling the spatial arrangement of optically active elements is crucial for the advancement of engineered photonic systems. Color centers in nanodiamond offer unique advantages for quantum sensing and information processing; however, their integration into complex optical architectures is limited by challenges in precise and reproducible positioning, as well as efficient coupling. DNA origami provides an elegant solution, as demonstrated by recent studies showcasing nanoscale positioning of fluorescent nanodiamonds and plasmonic gold nanoparticles. Here, we present a scalable and robust method for covalently functionalizing nanodiamonds with DNA, enabling high-yield, spatially controlled assembly of diamond and gold nanoparticles onto DNA origami. By precisely controlling the interparticle spacing, we reveal distance-dependent modulation of NV center photoluminescence with a 10-fold increase in the fastest decay pathway at short interparticle distances. Our findings indicate selective plasmon-driven effects and interplay between radiative and non-radiative processes. This work overcomes key limitations in current nanodiamond assembly strategies and provides insights into engineering NV photoluminescence by plasmonic coupling that advance toward quantum photonic and sensing applications.
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Submitted 14 April, 2025; v1 submitted 2 April, 2025;
originally announced April 2025.
Ion-induced transient potential fluctuations facilitate pore formation and cation transport through lipid membranes
Authors:
David Roesel,
Maksim Eremchev,
Chetan S. Poojari,
Jochen S. Hub,
Sylvie Roke
Abstract:
Unassisted ion transport through lipid membranes plays a crucial role in many cell functions without which life would not be possible, yet the precise mechanism behind the process remains unknown due to its molecular complexity. Here, we demonstrate a direct link between membrane potential fluctuations and divalent ion transport. High-throughput wide-field second harmonic (SH) microscopy shows tha…
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Unassisted ion transport through lipid membranes plays a crucial role in many cell functions without which life would not be possible, yet the precise mechanism behind the process remains unknown due to its molecular complexity. Here, we demonstrate a direct link between membrane potential fluctuations and divalent ion transport. High-throughput wide-field second harmonic (SH) microscopy shows that membrane potential fluctuations are universally found in lipid bilayer systems. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that such variations in membrane potential reduce the free energy cost of transient pore formation and increase the ion flux across an open pore. These transient pores can act as conduits for ion transport, which we SH image for a series of divalent cations (Cu$^{2+}$, Ca$^{2+}$, Ba$^{2+}$, Mg$^{2+}$) passing through GUV membranes. Combining the experimental and computational results, we show that permeation through pores formed via an ion-induced electrostatic field is a viable mechanism for unassisted ion transport.
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Submitted 22 July, 2022;
originally announced July 2022.