Measurement of the quantum efficiency of single CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals through a controlled modification of their spontaneous emission rate

In this paper, a simple method to measure the radiative (k_rad) and non-radiative (k_nrad) decay rates of excitons in single nanocrystals is presented. These two recombination rates are determined by changing the electromagnetic environment of the single nanocrystal which results in a controlled modification of the spontaneous emission rate. They also provide the quantum efficiency of the quantum dot.