Tm3+‐Sensitized NIR‐II Fluorescent Nanocrystals for In Vivo Information Storage and Decoding

Abstract In vivo fluorescence imaging in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) affords deep‐tissue penetration and high spatial resolution. Herein, we present a new type of Tm 3+ ‐sensitized lanthanide nanocrystals with both excitation (1208 nm) and emission (1525 nm) located in the NIR‐II window for in vivo optical information storage and decoding. Taking advantage of the tunable fluorescence lifetimes, the optical multiplexed encoding capacity is enhanced accordingly. Micro‐devices with QR codes featuring the NIR‐II fluorescence‐lifetime multiplexed encoding were implanted into mice and were successfully decoded through time‐gated fluorescence imaging technology.