Using the near-field coupling of a sharp tip to tune fluorescence-emission fluctuations during quantum-dot blinking.

We demonstrate that the cycling between internal states of quantum dots during fluorescence blinking can be used to tune the near-field coupling with a sharp tip. In particular, the fluorescence emission from states with high quantum yield is quenched due to energy transfer, while that from low-yield states is elevated due to field enhancement. Thus, as a quantum dot blinks, its emission fluctuations are progressively suppressed upon approach of a tip.