Photon-avalanching nanoparticles: sensitive to everything, everywhere, all at once

This talk focuses on the development of photon avalanching (PA) in various upconverting nanoparticle systems. Extraordinary properties and applications have already been demonstrated in these materials, with progress accelerated by combining recent advances in lanthanide-based nanomaterials synthesis, the modeling of optical properties and energy transfer, and new characterization methods. Here, I highlight the recent demonstration of piconewton to micronewton force sensing with these next-generation nanocrystals and the development of ANPs capable of operating in three different response modalities. In addition, I will touch on their use in applications spanning superresolution imaging, photoswitching, optical patterning and memory, and ultrasensitive nanothermometry. I will then finish with a brief discussion of future prospects, key challenges, and the potential promise of nanoscale PA.