NIR EMITTERS EXCITABLE IN THE VISIBLE SPECTRAL RANGE AND THEIR APPLICATION IN BIOCHEMICAL AND MEDICAL IMAGING

摘要

This invention concerns the application of inorganic luminescent nanoscale particles, which exhibit optical transitions in the visible spectral range, which can be exploited for excitation purposes and which show an emission band or lines in the NIR range, preferably between 650 and 1100 nm. These nanoscale particles are eventually coated by SiO 2 or other inert oxides, e.g. Al2O3, in order to decrease toxicity and to enhance particle lifetime in living systems.