I think this paper is highly cited because nanotube fluorescence has been an enabling discovery that permits a wide range of follow-up research. Investigators are using this effect to learn more about the electronic structure and excited state dynamics of nanotubes, to analyze mixed nanotube samples for their detailed composition, and to study processes that depend on specific nanotube structural features.

  How did you become involved in this research?

This research arose from a collaboration between Prof. Richard Smalley, who has long been a leader in nanotube research, and my group, which had previously studied the photophysics, spectroscopy, and photochemistry of fullerenes (a related type of carbon nanostructure). Bringing together the complementary methods and perspectives of the two groups turned out to be very successful.

In layman's terms, we studied single-walled nanotubes, tiny tubular structures composed entirely of carbon atoms, which holds great promise for a variety of applications in electronics, materials science, and possibly even medicine. We discovered that when you shine light on these nanotubes, some light is re-emitted at near-infrared wavelengths. This characteristic light emission provides an important tool for detecting, identifying, and studying nanotubes in basic and applied research.