The potential of lasing in quantum dots for sensing and diagnostic applications

Sensing with semiconductor colloidal quantum dots (QDs) is driven by attractive properties of these fluorophores such as spectrally narrow and tunable emission and broad absorption spectra, which enable simultaneous excitation of fluorescence of different colors. The possibility of lasing upon inclusion of QDs into microcavities offers new opportunities for highly sensitive sensing. Here, we discuss the fundamental properties of QDs, the principles of lasing from QDs, and potential applications of the effect of QD lasing to diagnostics and ultrasensitive sensing.