  We optimized the performance of quantum confined Stark effect QCSE based
voltage nanosensors. A high throughput approach for single particle QCSE
characterization was developed and utilized to screen a library of such
nanosensors. Type II ZnSe CdS seeded nanorods were found to have the best
performance among the different nanosensors evaluated in this work. The degree
of correlation between intensity changes and spectral changes of the excitons
emission under applied field was characterized. An upper limit for the temporal
response of individual ZnSe CdS nanorods to voltage modulation was
characterized by high throughput, high temporal resolution intensity
measurements using a novel photon counting camera. The measured 3.5 us response
time is limited by the voltage modulation electronics and represents about 30
times higher bandwidth than needed for recording an action potential in a
neuron.
